Guilty pleasures : exploring the accounts of alcohol and sex within a sexual health service in the North East of England

Abstract

Introduction There has been significant changes over the last few decades in alcohol consumption levels and attitudes towards sexual relationships. Research and policy on the alcohol-sex mix are dominated by young people and ‘risk groups’, so this thesis explores the relationship in adults aged 25+ years. Methods: This PhD has two components, a systematic review and an ethnographic study undertaken within a sexual health service in England. Results: Results of both the systematic review and the ethnographic study found that the alcohol-sex mix continues through the life-course and can feature at key transition points, such as divorce. Those aged 25+ years can use alcohol in sexual situations in similar ways to younger people – to increase confidence, enhance pleasure and use it as an excuse to escape and experiment. However, results also found that similar to young people, those aged 25+ years experience similar negative outcomes, such as STIs and regret. However, this was further confounded in the ethnographic study, where for some patients attendance at the clinic highlighted a conflict between desire and morality. The clinic was more akin to a religious ceremony, where shame and guilt emerged in the search for moral recovery. Conclusion: The traditional stereotypes of the alcohol-sex mix afforded only to the young or promiscuous is outdated. Indeed, the relationship is more cyclical with partnership status and partner-level interactions a key defining factor rather than age.