Sexual Orientation Concerns Among Chemically Dependent Individuals

Achieving intimacy in relationships is usually a problem for chemically dependent persons. Many believe that when chemical dependency is addressed all other problems will be alleviated. There are numerous reasons why someone may return again and again for chemical dependency treatment. Only one of these issues will be addressed; that is, the sex offender who has been able to maintain the secrecy of his sexual offenses throughout his chemical dependency treatment. Sex offenders mainly use the defense mechanisms of repression, manipulation, and denial which enable them to keep their secret. Using these defense mechanisms, they can often cleverly complete chemical dependency treatment and never admit to improper sexual behavior. Once sex offending behavior is diagnosed and the patient has completed chemical dependency treatment, the chemical dependency professional can enable the patient to look for an appropriate sex offender treatment program. Psychodynamic therapy is important to pierce through the unconscious motives that the offender may have for his behavior.