activities · 14
what they do
direct service · 4
- Advanced Recovery Retreats 12-Step and Peer-Led Recovery MeetingsConducts quarterly 3-day advanced recovery retreats based on 12-Step Recovery principles developed by Dr. Patrick Carnes and led by specialized therapists; includes biweekly check-in meetings and scheduled retreats in June, September, and December 2025.
- Advanced Recovery Retreats for Sex and Love Addiction 12-Step and Peer-Led Recovery MeetingsConducts quarterly 3-day advanced recovery retreats based on 12-Step Recovery principles, developed by Dr. Patrick Carnes and led by field therapists, with scheduled retreats in June, September, and December 2025, and includes biweekly check-in meetings as part of an ongoing retreat series.
- Summit Group Peer Recovery ProgramOffers the Summit Group, a safe and confidential peer support program that provides education, advice, and community connection for individuals recovering from sex addiction.
- Summit Group Peer Support ProgramOffers the Summit Group, a safe and confidential peer support program that provides education, advice, and connection for individuals recovering from sex addiction.
research · 10
- Clinical Research on Specific Sexual Addiction Behaviors Sexual Addiction Diagnostic ResearchConducted studies documenting psychopathology patterns in specific sexual addiction behaviors, including voyeurism and exhibitionism (noting higher severity when co-occurring and gender differences), and in bondage/sadomasochism (highlighting trauma, PTSD, and high-risk behaviors in addicted individuals).
- Co-Occurring Addiction Prevalence Study Sexual Addiction Diagnostic ResearchResearched individuals in residential treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, finding that 20–30% also met diagnostic criteria for sexual addiction, highlighting the high rate of undiagnosed sexual addiction in substance abuse populations.
- College Student Screening and Prevalence Study Sexual Addiction Diagnostic ResearchConducted a study identifying that 21% of male and 7% of female college students show warning signs of sexual addiction, and developed the PATHOS screening tool for colleges to identify students needing evaluation and treatment.
- Development of Diagnostic Tools and Criteria for Sexual Addiction Sexual Addiction Diagnostic ResearchDeveloped and validated diagnostic criteria for sexual addiction through research on 4,100 cases, contributed to efforts to include the condition in the DSM, and created assessment tools including the Sexual Dependency Inventory and a partner impact assessment for couples healing from sexual addiction.
- Diagnostic Criteria and Typology Development for Sexual Addiction Sexual Addiction Diagnostic ResearchConducted research on 4,100 cases to develop and validate diagnostic criteria for sexual addiction, advocated for inclusion in the DSM, and used statistical analysis to identify twenty distinct subtypes of sexual addiction, supporting clinical targeting of treatments and validation of the Sexual Dependency Inventory assessment tool.
- Genetic and Clinical Research on Sexual Addiction Sexual Addiction Diagnostic ResearchConducts large-scale research studies on the genetics and clinical patterns of sexual addiction, including a study of over 1,000 participants across the U.S. and Canada comparing genetic markers of sexual addiction to those of alcohol and drug addiction, and identifying gene clusters and psychological disorders linked to specific subtypes.
- Genetic and Neurobiological Research on Sexual Addiction Sexual Addiction Diagnostic ResearchConducts funded research into the genetics of sexual addiction, including a study of over 1,000 participants across the U.S. and Canada to identify gene clusters linked to sexual addiction, compare them with those for alcohol and drug addiction, and explore associated psychological disorders; supported by Dr. Patrick Carnes’ Fulbright award and ongoing since 2012.
- Partner Impact Assessment and Couples Healing Tools Sexual Addiction Diagnostic ResearchDeveloped and validated an assessment tool to help therapists evaluate the impact of sexual addiction on partners and support healing in couples affected by sexual addiction.
- Research on Co-Occurring Addictions in Substance Use Treatment Sexual Addiction Diagnostic ResearchStudied individuals in residential treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, finding that 20–30% met diagnostic criteria for sexual addiction, highlighting high rates of undiagnosed sexual addiction in substance use populations.
- Screening and Prevalence Studies in College Populations Sexual Addiction Diagnostic ResearchConducted research identifying sexual addiction warning signs in college students, finding 21% of males and 7% of females exhibiting indicators, and developed the PATHOS screening tool for colleges to identify students needing evaluation and treatment.
strategies · 8
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- 12-Step based recovery framework 12-step based recoveryGuides participants through recovery using the foundational principles of 12-Step programs, emphasizing internalization of step values and development of practical daily living skills to support sustained recovery.
- 12-Step based recovery framework 12-step based recoveryGrounds recovery programs in the foundational principles of 12-Step Recovery, emphasizing internalization of step-based values and development of practical daily living skills to support sustained recovery.
- Confidential recovery support for high-profile individuals confidential recovery supportProvides a safe and confidential environment for celebrities and professionals to engage in sex addiction recovery, acknowledging that public exposure in traditional local meetings may prevent participation and hinder recovery.
- Confidential recovery support for high-profile individuals confidential recovery supportProvides a safe and confidential environment for celebrities and professionals to seek sex addiction recovery, addressing barriers to participation in traditional local meetings due to public visibility.
- Demographic-focused intervention for youth vulnerable to online sexual addiction demographic-focused interventionTargets research, education, and advocacy efforts toward teenagers and college-aged individuals, recognizing the unique risks posed by internet exposure in fueling sexual addiction in this population.
- Research-driven advocacy to improve treatment access and reduce stigma research-driven advocacyConducts and supports research to develop screening tools, demonstrate neurobiological similarities between sexual addiction and other addictions, and use scientific evidence to reduce stigma and expand insurance coverage for treatment.
- Research-driven advocacy to improve treatment access and reduce stigma research-driven advocacyConducts and supports research to develop screening tools, demonstrate neurobiological commonalities between sexual addiction and other addictions, and use scientific evidence to expand insurance coverage and reduce societal stigma.
- Targeted intervention for youth exposed to internet-fueled sexual addiction demographic-focused interventionFocuses research, education, and advocacy efforts on teenagers and college-aged individuals, recognizing the unique risks posed by internet access in accelerating sexual addiction in this demographic.
named programs · 11
what they call their work
Co-occurring Drug and Sexual Addiction Research
Research examining the high prevalence (20-30%) of coexisting sexual addiction among drug and alcohol addicts undergoing residential treatment, emphasizing the need for integrated treatment approaches.
College Student Sexual Addiction Risk Research
Study showing that a significant percentage of male and female college students exhibit warning signs of sexual addiction, leading to the use of the PATHOS questionnaire as a screening tool for early identification and intervention.
Early Attachment and Family Wellness Research
Research demonstrating how early attachment disorders and family wellness contribute to the development of addictive behaviors and relationship preoccupation.
Exhibitionism & Voyeurism Research
In-depth study documenting patterns of behaviors and associated mental health issues among individuals with voyeurism and/or exhibitionism, highlighting the severity of underlying psychological problems for those displaying both behaviors.
Exposing the Complexity of Sexual Addiction Research
Research using complex statistics to uncover clusters of behavior characterizing twenty different types of sexual addiction, providing clinicians with detailed understanding and validating the Sexual Dependency Inventory test.
Help for Partners of Sex Addiction Research
Research that led to the development of an assessment tool specifically designed to address the challenges faced by partners of sexual addicts, helping therapists assess impact and facilitate healing.
Intimacy Dysfunction Research
Study assisting therapists in treating dysfunctional attachment and compulsive behaviors, finding that men tend to focus on isolated sexual behaviors while women tend to be compulsive about relationships.
Research on Including Sexual Addiction in the DSM
Research demonstrating that sexual addiction is a valid medical illness with defined diagnostic criteria, aiming to facilitate its inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) for insurance coverage.
S&M Addiction Research
Study documenting patterns of psychopathology in patients addicted to bondage and sadomasochism, underscoring the dangers of extreme and risky behaviors, especially for women, and the role of trauma and PTSD.
Sexual Addiction Genetic Research
Groundbreaking research into the genetics of sexual addiction, involving full-genome genetic analysis and psychological characterization of over 1,000 participants to identify genes linked to sexual addiction and its types.
Summit Group Advanced Recovery Program
A series of confidential retreats and biweekly Zoom check-ins for individuals with established recovery from sex and love addiction and/or their partners, focusing on 12-Step principles and skill development for daily living.
relationships · 4
who they work with
- Dr. Patrick Carnes Partner — Developed the advanced recovery retreat program.
- Fulbright Canada Partner — Partnering on groundbreaking research into the genetics of sexual addiction.
- Palix Foundation Partner — Partnering on groundbreaking research into the genetics of sexual addiction.
- University of Alberta Partner — Dr. Carnes will serve as Distinguished Visiting Chair at the university while conducting research.