Ett liv utan missbruk - och sex? Hållbar behandlingsvård för kvinnor

The aim of this study was to examine the concept of sex, sexuality and sexual health and its significance to drug and alcohol addiction treatment for women. More specifically its aim was to find out if social workers and professionals within addiction treatment services ought to support women in creating sustainable sexual relations in the drug free context and if so what the support should consist of. The study was based on recent scientific articles and literature that were analysed through thematic content analysis. The themes that were identified and that were recurring throughout the material were how social structures impact addiction treatment for women as well as their sexual health and how professionals within addiction treatment need to incorporate this knowledge in their practice to support patients to a sustainable drug-free life. The analysis was based on sexual script theory to further the knowledge of what meaning sexuality and relationships have for addiction recovery. The sexual script theory also illustrates what impact narratives have on patients in treatment that are moving between a context with substance abuse and a drug free context. The conclusions made were that sex, sexuality and sexual health are significant matters for addiction treatment since addressing these topics can prevent relapse in patients. Professionals can support women in creating a sustainable relation to sex, sexuality and sexual health by incorporating positive perspectives on sex through conversations in treatment programs. Discussions that raise awareness of how sex and addiction is influenced by social structures, educative conversations on the connection between body, desire and pleasure as well as supporting patients in recognizing which sexual situations are a risk for relapse can make addiction treatment more effective