Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST) - Self-Assessment Quiz

This official Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST) is a 25-question professional self-assessment quiz designed to help you identify signs, patterns, and risk levels of sexual addiction. This screening tool is for personal reflection only and not a formal diagnostic assessment.

Please read each question carefully and answer honestly based on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors over the past 12 months. There are no right or wrong answers. This self-assessment is not a substitute for a formal evaluation from a licensed mental health professional.

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1. How often do you experience persistent, intrusive sexual thoughts or fantasies that interfere with your work, school, or daily responsibilities?

Never; sexual thoughts do not disrupt my daily functioning

Occasionally; intrusive thoughts appear briefly but I can easily refocus on my tasks

Frequently; sexual thoughts often interrupt my daily activities and require significant effort to ignore

Constantly; intrusive sexual thoughts dominate my attention and make it nearly impossible to fulfill my responsibilities

2. Have you repeatedly failed to set or keep limits on your sexual behavior, even when you want to stop or reduce it?

No, I have never felt the need to limit my sexual behavior, and I maintain full control

I have tried to set limits once or twice and successfully stuck to them

I have made multiple attempts to control my sexual behavior, but I often relapse and break my own rules

I am consistently unable to control my sexual behavior, despite repeated, sincere efforts to stop or reduce it

3. Do you use sexual activity, fantasies, or pornography to cope with negative emotions (stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, or shame)?

Never; I use healthy, non-sexual coping strategies to manage difficult emotions

Rarely; I only turn to sexual behavior to cope during extreme, one-time crises

Often; I regularly use sexual activity to numb, escape, or distract myself from negative feelings

Always; sexual behavior is my only or primary way to deal with any form of emotional distress

4. Have your sexual behaviors caused significant harm to your romantic, intimate, or family relationships?

No, my sexual behavior has not negatively impacted any of my close relationships

Minor disagreements with a partner about sexual behavior, which were quickly resolved

Significant strain, conflict, or loss of trust in close relationships due to my sexual choices

Severe, permanent damage, including breakups, separation, or estrangement from loved ones, caused by my sexual behavior

5. Has your sexual behavior negatively impacted your job performance, career advancement, academic success, or professional reputation?

No, my sexual behavior has never affected my professional or academic life

Minor distractions that had no lasting impact on my work or school performance

Missed deadlines, reduced productivity, or disciplinary warnings at work/school due to my sexual behavior

Job loss, demotion, academic failure, or permanent damage to my professional reputation caused by my sexual choices

6. Do you lie to loved ones, friends, or colleagues to hide the extent or nature of your sexual behavior?

Never; I am open and honest about my sexual life with people I trust

Rarely; I have only omitted minor details to avoid unnecessary conflict

Frequently; I regularly lie to hide my sexual activities and maintain a false public image

Constantly; I live a double life, and nearly all of my sexual behavior is hidden from everyone close to me

7. Have you needed to increase the frequency, intensity, or risk level of your sexual behavior to achieve the same level of satisfaction or arousal?

No, my sexual behavior has remained consistent, and I feel satisfied without escalation

Occasionally; I have tried new sexual activities but did not need to escalate to feel fulfilled

Frequently; I have to increase the intensity or frequency of my sexual behavior to feel the same level of arousal

Constantly; I am always seeking more extreme, frequent, or high-risk sexual experiences to avoid feeling numb

8. Do you experience unpleasant physical or emotional symptoms (irritability, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, cravings) when you try to stop or reduce your sexual behavior?

No, I do not experience any withdrawal-like symptoms when I go without sexual activity

Rarely; I feel mild restlessness that passes quickly without further distress

Often; I feel significant irritability, anxiety, or intense cravings when I try to limit my sexual behavior

Always; I experience severe, debilitating withdrawal symptoms that make it impossible to stop my sexual behavior

9. Do you engage in sexual behavior that puts you at risk of physical harm, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), legal consequences, or financial ruin?

Never; I only engage in safe, consensual sexual behavior with no unnecessary risk

Rarely; I have taken minor sexual risks that did not result in harm

Frequently; I regularly engage in risky sexual behavior, even when I know it could lead to serious consequences

Always; I prioritize sexual urges over my safety, financial stability, or legal standing, despite past harm

10. How much time do you spend pursuing, planning, or engaging in sexual activity, at the expense of other important life priorities?

Very little; sexual activity takes up minimal time compared to my work, relationships, hobbies, and goals

Some time; I balance sexual activity with other life priorities, with no meaningful neglect

A lot of time; I often skip important activities or responsibilities to pursue sexual behavior

Most of my time; my daily life revolves almost entirely around seeking and engaging in sexual activity

11. How do you feel after engaging in sexual behavior that you consider problematic or against your values?

No regret or shame; I feel aligned with my values and in control of my choices

Mild guilt that fades quickly, with no lasting impact on my self-esteem

Intense shame, guilt, or self-loathing that lasts for days after the behavior

Overwhelming, persistent shame and self-hatred, yet I continue to repeat the behavior anyway

12. Have you withdrawn from social activities, hobbies, or friendships to make time for sexual behavior, or out of shame about your sexual choices?

No, I maintain an active social life and hobbies, with no withdrawal related to sexual behavior

Rarely; I have skipped a small social event once or twice, with no ongoing isolation

Frequently; I often cancel plans with friends or give up hobbies to engage in sexual behavior

Constantly; I have isolated myself almost entirely from social contact, driven by shame or a focus on sexual activity

13. Have you repeatedly promised yourself or loved ones that you will stop certain sexual behaviors, only to break those promises shortly after?

No, I have never had to make such promises, as my behavior aligns with my commitments

I made a promise once and successfully kept it long-term

I have broken multiple promises to myself or others to stop problematic sexual behavior

I break promises to stop my sexual behavior almost immediately after making them, despite sincere intent

14. Do you regularly engage in sexual behavior that conflicts with your personal moral, ethical, or religious values?

No, my sexual behavior is fully aligned with my personal values and beliefs

Rarely; I have acted against my values once or twice, with deep regret

Frequently; I regularly engage in sexual behavior that violates my core values, even when I know it will cause distress

Always; nearly all of my sexual behavior conflicts with my most deeply held beliefs, yet I cannot stop

15. Have you neglected your physical or mental health to pursue sexual behavior?

No, I prioritize my health above all else, and sexual behavior does not interfere with self-care

Rarely; I have skipped a minor self-care activity once or twice, with no lasting impact

Frequently; I regularly skip medical appointments, sleep, exercise, or mental health care to engage in sexual behavior

Always; I have severely compromised my physical or mental health, including ignoring serious medical issues, to pursue sexual activity

16. Have you experienced financial hardship due to spending on sexual content, services, dates, or related activities?

No, I have never spent money on sexual activities in a way that impacts my finances

Minor, occasional spending that had no impact on my budget or financial goals

Significant overspending, including missed bill payments or depleted savings, due to sexual-related expenses

Severe financial ruin, including debt, bankruptcy, or loss of assets, caused by spending on sexual activities

17. Do you find it difficult to experience emotional intimacy or sexual satisfaction in a committed, loving relationship?

No, I feel deeply emotionally connected and sexually satisfied in my committed, loving relationships

Occasionally; I have minor, temporary challenges with emotional intimacy or sexual satisfaction, which do not impact my overall relationship quality

Frequently; I struggle to feel consistent emotional intimacy or sexual satisfaction in committed relationships, and this causes significant relationship distress

Always; I cannot feel any meaningful emotional intimacy or genuine sexual satisfaction in a committed relationship, no matter how hard I or my partner try

18. Are you aware that your sexual behavior has caused emotional distress or harm to other people (partners, family members, or others involved)?

No, my sexual behavior has never caused harm or distress to anyone else

I was told I caused minor distress once, which I apologized for and resolved

I am aware that my sexual behavior has caused significant emotional harm to multiple people, yet I continue the behavior

I know my sexual behavior causes severe, ongoing harm to others, but I cannot stop acting on my urges

19. Do you engage in sexual behavior even when you do not feel aroused or want to?

Never; I only engage in sexual behavior when I feel aroused and willing

Rarely; I have acted on urges once or twice when I did not feel aroused, with no pattern

Frequently; I regularly engage in sexual behavior even when I am not aroused, out of compulsion

Always; my sexual behavior is entirely compulsive, and I act on urges even when I have no desire or arousal

20. Has your sexual behavior prevented you from building or maintaining a long-term, committed romantic relationship?

No, my sexual behavior has not impacted my ability to have or keep a committed relationship

Minor challenges in relationships, which were not primarily caused by sexual behavior

I have been unable to maintain long-term relationships, largely due to my problematic sexual behavior

I have completely given up on pursuing committed relationships, because my sexual behavior makes them impossible

21. Have you ever acted on sexual impulses in inappropriate settings (work, public spaces, family events) where you could be caught or cause harm?

Never; I only act on sexual urges in fully private, appropriate settings where no one else can be present or affected

Rarely; I have acted on a minor sexual impulse in a semi-private setting (e.g., a locked, empty personal office) once or twice, with no risk of being caught or causing harm to others

Frequently; I regularly act on sexual impulses in clearly inappropriate settings (e.g., open workspaces, public restrooms, family gatherings), despite knowing there is a moderate risk of being caught or causing discomfort

Always; I act on sexual impulses regardless of the setting, even when there is a high risk of being caught, causing severe discomfort to others, or facing legal consequences

22. Have you ever sought help (therapy, support groups, counseling) for problematic sexual behavior, only to relapse and return to the same patterns?

No, I have never needed to seek help for my sexual behavior

I sought help once and successfully addressed my concerns with no relapse

I have sought help multiple times, but I always relapse into problematic sexual behavior after a short period

I have tried every form of help available, but I cannot stop my sexual behavior long-term, no matter what I try

23. Do you base your self-worth almost entirely on your sexual experiences or ability to engage in sexual activity?

No, my self-worth is based on my values, relationships, and achievements, not sexual activity

Occasionally; I feel better about myself after sexual experiences, but it is not the core of my self-worth

Frequently; my self-esteem rises and falls almost entirely based on my recent sexual activity

Always; my only sense of self-worth comes from sexual experiences, and I feel worthless without them

24. How much has your sexual behavior reduced your overall quality of life, happiness, or sense of purpose?

Not at all; my sexual behavior enhances my overall quality of life, happiness, and sense of connection/purpose

Slightly; there have been minor, one-time moments of unhappiness or distraction, but no lasting impact on my work, relationships, health, or hobbies

Significantly; my sexual behavior has reduced my happiness, sense of purpose, and performance in at least one core area of my life (work, family, close friendships, or physical/mental health)

Completely; my sexual behavior has destroyed my quality of life, and I feel no genuine happiness, sense of purpose, or connection to others outside of sexual activity

25. Do you feel that you have lost complete control over your sexual thoughts, urges, and behaviors?

No, I have full control over all of my sexual thoughts and actions

Sometimes; I act on urges without thinking, but I can stop if I make a conscious effort

Often; I struggle to resist sexual urges, even when I know they will cause serious harm to myself or others

Yes; I feel completely powerless over my sexual impulses, and I cannot control my behavior no matter how hard I try