Sex addicts are frequently referred to as “khame-based” people. Authors and clients alike describe shame as complex, multi-layered and dfficult to define in words, making it a particularly difficult concept for clinicians to address, especially in early treatment. Sometimes preverbal in origin, shameful feelings flow more easily via imagery and symbolism when words are not enough. The creative arts are accustomed to speaking the language of the soul and have more immediate access to deeper forms ofpsychological pain such as shame. The creativeprocess itself is self-aflirming, lifegiving and inherently shame reducing and corrective. In the creative moment, there is no shame.

The present study examined the effectiveness of a treatment program in an outpatient community-based setting for sexual offenders that maintains a close working relationship with the offender's probation officer through the Florida Department of Corrections. A total of 200 sexual offenders were tracked for recidivism rates for up to 5 years. One hundred of these sexual offenders received treatment for their crimes, and the remaining 100 were not required to enroll in treatment as a condition of the court. The outcome of the comparison between the two groups revealed a lower recidivism rate among those who completed outpatient treatment versus those who were not mandated to receive treatment. Demographic variables that may influence the successful completion of outpatient treatment programs were also reported. Some possible contributing factors are discussed that are believed to enhance effectiveness of treatment.

Fourteen male sex offenders receiving inpatient treatment were assessed for histories of childhood trauma and dissociative symptoms. These subjects were then compared to 97 adult inpatients receiving treatment for childhood sexual trauma. The two groups exhibited remarkably similar trauma histories and symptom profiles. Dissociative disorders were diagnosed by structured interview in 77% of the sex offenders and 92% of the sexual trauma inpatients.

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Patients with addictive disorders often report difficulty remembering trauma, although research shows traumatic experiences as being common antecedents of the onset of addictive illness. Based on clinical experience and review of the clinical and legal research literature, the author proposes that a cluster of six clinical findings is a potential indicator of internal corroboration that trauma occurred, especially child sexual abuse. These six clinical findings include: the presence of a high-risk disorder or illness; posttraumatic stress disorder; age regression, flashbacks, abreactions, or other re-experiencing of the trauma; repetitions, repetition compulsions, or reenactments; characteristics of the memories themselves; and other patterns, dynamics, and connections. This framework can serve as a useful and clinical paradigm for all illnesses, including the addictive disorders.

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Members of the 12-step-based self-help group Adult Children of Sex Addicts responded to an anonymous questionnaire concerning their demographics and identification with 10 statements concerning childhood and adult experiences. The results indicated that the majority of the members had attended meetings of other self-help groups (most frequently Sex Addicts Anonymous and Al-Anon), had a sexually addicted father, and had been sexually abused as children. Given the successful use of 12-step-based self-help groups for sexual addiction, it seems that groups for those negatively affected by the sexual compulsivity of a parent would be helpful modalities for treatment professionals to consider when working with this population of clients.

Abstract Current research is attempting to determine the effectiveness of treatment programs with incarcerated sex offenders. The recidivism rates of various programs have been reported on. This study reports on the effectiveness of a program that incorporates the sexual addiction model as a core component to its treatment approach. A group of treated and released sex offenders was studied utilizing the OMS II (Offender Management System) of the Correctional Service of Canada. It was found that during a five-year period the program yielded an overall return rate of 3.2%.