There are limited numbers of studies which have evaluated the sexual dysfunction (SD) in patients with alcohol and opioids dependence. This article reviews the existing literature. Electronic searches were carried out using the PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect to locate the relevant literature. Subjects addicted to heroin or on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) or buprenorphine maintenance treatment (BMT) show higher rates of SD in comparison to the general population. SD rates have ranged 34-85% for heroin addicts, 14-81% for MMT, 36-83% for BMT, and 90% for naltrexone maintenance. The rates of SD in alcohol-dependent population have ranged 40-95.2%, with rates being consistently much higher in alcohol-dependent population than in the healthy controls or social drinkers. The common SDs reported have been erectile dysfunction followed by premature ejaculation, retarded ejaculation and decreased sexual desire among men, and dyspareunia and vaginal dryness among women. This review suggests that long-term use of alcohol and opioids are associated with SD in almost all domains of sexual functioning. There is a need to increase the awareness of clinicians about this association as many times SD in patients with substance abuse lead to poor treatment compliance and relapse. Further, there is a need to carry out more number of studies to understand the relationship in a better way.

Introduction There is limited literature on opioid dependence patients for the prevalence of sexual dysfunction as assessed by validated questionnaires. Aim To study the prevalence and specified demographic and clinical correlates of sexual dysfunction in men seeking treatment for opioid dependence by using multiple validated instruments. Methods Men with opioid dependence for at least 1 year as per DSM-IV (confirmed by Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview) (OD group, N = 100) and matched healthy controls (HC group, N = 50) were evaluated for sexual dysfunction. Main Outcome Measures Arizona Sexual Experience Questionnaire (ASEX), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire Short-Form (CSFQ-14). Results In men seeking treatment for opioid dependence sexual dysfunction was recorded in 48% by ASEX, and in at least one of the domains in 92% by IIEF and in 90% by CSFQ; in comparison with the healthy controls, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with opioid dependence was significantly higher by each measure. Conclusions Compared with healthy controls, sexual dysfunction rates are higher in patients seeking treatment for opioid dependence.