A confidential self-assessment based on Dr. Patrick Carnes' Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST). 20 questions. Results in under 3 minutes.
Based on SAST — Dr. Patrick Carnes 100% Confidential Clinically Informed
Understanding Sex and Love Addiction
Sex addiction — also called compulsive sexual behavior or hypersexual disorder — is a pattern of sexual thoughts, urges, or behaviors that feel out of control and continue despite negative consequences in your relationships, career, or personal life. It is not about having a high sex drive. Like other addictions, it is often rooted in trauma, shame, and unmet emotional needs.
Love addiction follows a similar pattern — an obsessive, compulsive attachment to relationships or romantic partners that causes ongoing harm. Both are recognized and treatable conditions. If you're asking "do I have a sex addiction?", the courage it takes to ask that question is the first step.
About this assessment: The questions below are drawn from the Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST), developed by Dr. Patrick Carnes — the pioneering researcher and author whose work underpins the treatment programs at Prescott House, Gentle Path at The Meadows, and treatment centers worldwide. This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Your results are completely private.
Sex & Love Addiction Screening
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Signs and Symptoms of Sex Addiction
Sex addiction manifests differently in each person, but there are common warning signs. Recognizing these patterns is not about judgment — it is about understanding whether your behavior has moved beyond your control.
Preoccupation with sexual thoughts that interfere with daily life
Repeated failed attempts to stop or reduce sexual behavior
Using sex to cope with stress, anxiety, loneliness, or emotional pain
Feeling shame, guilt, or depression after sexual activity
Relationship problems caused by sexual behavior
Escalating behaviors to achieve the same level of stimulation
Continuing despite real consequences at work or in relationships
Secrecy, hiding activities, or lying to partners
What Is the SAST?
The Sexual Addiction Screening Test was developed by Dr. Patrick Carnes, the world's leading authority on sexual addiction, to help individuals evaluate whether their sexual behavior may indicate an addictive pattern. Dr. Carnes' research and clinical frameworks — including his 30 Task Model — form the cornerstone of treatment at Prescott House and our partner program, Gentle Path at The Meadows.
This screening tool is not a clinical diagnosis. A positive result means your responses align with patterns commonly seen in people who benefit from professional support — and that reaching out for a confidential consultation is a reasonable, worthwhile step.
Sex Addiction and Trauma
Research consistently shows that sex addiction often develops as a response to early trauma — childhood abuse, neglect, or unstable attachment. For many men, compulsive sexual behavior is a learned coping strategy that temporarily relieves emotional pain but creates a deepening cycle of shame and disconnection. At Prescott House, treatment addresses both the addictive behavior and its underlying roots.
Frequently Asked Questions
This assessment is designed to help you reflect honestly on your sexual behavior and its impact on your life. It uses questions from the SAST — the most widely used clinical screening tool for sexual addiction — to give you a meaningful, informed result rather than a simple checklist. It is not a diagnosis, but it can be the first step in understanding whether professional support might help.
Compulsive sexual behavior disorder was formally recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and included in the ICD-11 in 2022. While terminology varies — you may see it called hypersexual disorder, sexual compulsivity, or sex addiction — the clinical reality is well-established. Effective, evidence-based treatment exists, and thousands of men have found lasting recovery.
Yes. Pornography addiction shares the same neurological mechanisms as other behavioral addictions — escalating use, loss of control, continued use despite consequences, and difficulty stopping. It is one of the most common presentations we treat at Prescott House, often alongside love addiction, relationship issues, and co-occurring trauma.
Not necessarily. A higher score means your responses are consistent with patterns that benefit from professional support — but the right level of care depends on your individual situation, history, and needs. Prescott House offers a confidential assessment process where a trained clinician will help you understand your options. Residential treatment is one option; outpatient and intensive programs may be equally appropriate.
The key distinction is control and consequences. A healthy libido is not a problem. Sex addiction is characterized by an inability to stop behaviors despite wanting to, by behaviors that create real harm in your relationships, work, or sense of self, and by a pattern of escalation. The SAST questions are designed to focus on these factors, not frequency of sexual activity alone.
Prescott House offers a men's residential program specifically designed for sexual addiction, intimacy disorders, and co-occurring trauma. Our clinical approach is grounded in Dr. Patrick Carnes' 30 Task Model and the work of our certified sex addiction therapists (CSATs). We work closely with Gentle Path at The Meadows and are recognized by IITAP. Treatment addresses both the addictive behavior and its underlying emotional and trauma-related roots.
Important: This screening tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a medical diagnosis. Results are private and not stored. If you are in crisis or need immediate support, please call our admissions team at (866) 425-2470 or reach the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
