Sexuality Addiction and Compulsivity,
The Journal of Treatment and Prevention
For those searching for information on sex addiction, Sex Addiction and Compulsion, The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, is a core resource. For clinicians and researchers, it has been the key forum for scientific and clinical investigation into sex addiction and related issues for almost fifteen years. Dr. Patrick Carnes was the founding editor and he continues to serve on the board.
Under the spirited leadership of its current editor, Dr. David Delmonico (Duquesne University), the journal has continued to grow and break new ground. It is the official journal of The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health whose membership contains leading scientists and therapists who work hard to understand this illness. Here are some important things worth knowing:
- The journal is a peer reviewed medical journal. At times you will hear in the media statements by clinicians who are unfamiliar with this field that there is no peer reviewed literature. That simply is not true. The journal has appeared quarterly for fifteen years and is published by the oldest medical publisher on the planet Taylor and Francis. The editorial policies are parallel to other respected journals.
- Taylor and Francis offers the journal on-line. For serious researchers (including media, students, public as well as professional) a subscription provides access back to Volume Eight. This means all the articles for the last seven years are immediately available.
- You do not have to be a professional to subscribe or access the journal. All of us must be consumers of good health information. Today the patient or the family who has the problem gathers information about what is known about specific illnesses. Do not be afraid to read professional literature. IF nothing else, you will have better questions for your health care provider.
- Good science influences public and professional opinion. For example, when politician's sexual behaviors have become public controversies, or when clergy sexual misconduct has became public many reporters were able to ask more knowledgeable questions based on research in the journal. A special issue on cybersex was the first to focus the attention of the professional community on compulsive cybersex and its implications. A series of important initiatives came out of that initial effort which has helped us to understand the dark side of the internet.
For those who wish to help break the stigma around sex addiction with solid, respectable science, there is something you can do. University libraries must carry the journal so more people can access and learn. The publisher and the professional community are supporting a special drive to get the journal into more universities so both students, counselor training programs, and researchers can access this resource. It is a simple matter to donate a couple of year's subscription to a college or university you wish to support.
To download information on a university gift go to www.internetbehavior.com and contact Dr. David Delmonico. We encourage a multiple year gift since libraries appreciate having a longer subscription before they subscribe themselves. If you are interested in subscribing yourself go to Taylor and Francis at www.tandf.co.uk/journals/alphalist.asp. Click on "s" and go to "Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity."
To learn about the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health and their work go to: www.SASH.net.
For a listing of other important articles and books that have appeared about sex addiction and compulsion go to addictionresearch.com. This list is maintained by the American Foundation for Addiction Research, This organization fosters addiction research across all addictions. Learn about them at www.addictionresearch.com.