Psychotherapy High Wycombe Psychotherapy High Wycombe - Last updated 07 January 2026

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DSM-IV: Substance-Induced Sexual Dysfunction

When there is evidence that use of alcohol or other drugs directly causes Sexual Dysfunction in excess of what would normally be expected from Intoxication, and involving desire, arousal, orgasm orpain, diagnosis of this Substance Related Disorder may be appropriate.

Diagnostic criteria for Substance-Induced Sexual Dysfunction

A. Clinically significant sexual dysfunction that results in marked distress or interpersonal difficulty predominates in the clinical picture.

B. There is evidence from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings that the sexual dysfunction is fully explained by substance use as manifested by either (1) or (2):

(1) the symptoms in Criterion A developed during, or within a month of, Substance Intoxication
(2) medication use is etiologically related to the disturbance

C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by a Sexual Dysfunction that is not substance induced. Evidence that the symptoms are better accounted for by a Sexual Dysfunction that is not substance induced might include the following: the symptoms precede the onset of the substance use or Dependence (or medication use); the symptoms persist for a substantial period of time (e.g. about a month) after the cessation of intoxication, or are substantially in excess of what would be expected given the type or amount of the substance used or the duration of use; or there is other evidence that suggests the existence of an independent non-substance-induced Sexual Dysfunction (e.g. a history of recurrent non-substance-related episodes).

Note: This diagnosis should be made instead of a diagnosis of Substance Intoxication only when the sexual dysfunction is in excess of that usually associated with the intoxication syndrome and when the dysfunction is sufficiently severe to warrant independent clinical attention.

Code [Specific Substance]-Induced Sexual Dysfunction:
(291.8 (new code from 10/01/96: 291.89) Alcohol; 292.89 Amphetamine [or Amphetamine-Like Substance]; 292.89 Cocaine; 292.89Opioid; 292.89 Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic; 292.89 Other [or Unknown] Substance)

Specify if:

With Impaired Desire
With Impaired Arousal
With Impaired Orgasm
With Sexual Pain

Specify if:

With Onset During Intoxication: if the criteria are met for Intoxication with the substance and the symptoms develop during the intoxication syndrome

Based on the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition APA

Associated with these drugs: alcohol, amphetamine-like, opioids, sedatives, hypnotics

The online Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists most of the major psychological disorders and illnesses and lists the criteria that must be fulfilled in order for a diagnosis to be made. This resource is not a substitute for proper professional psychiatric diagnosis.