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BENPERIDOL IN THE TREATMENT OF SEXUAL OFFENDERS

NCJ Number
11403
Journal
Medicine, Science and the Law Volume: 13 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1973) Pages: 195-196
Author(s)
L H FIELD
Date Published
1973
Length
2 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF A DRUG WHICH INHIBITS ABNORMAL SEXUAL DESIRES TO A GROUP OF TWENTY-EIGHT MEN CONVICTED OF SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST CHILDREN.
Abstract
FOURTEEN OF THE SUBJECTS WERE SERVING SENTENCES OF IMPRISONMENT, AND FOURTEEN WERE ATTENDING A PSYCHIATRIC OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING RELEASE FROM PRISON OR AS A CONDITION OF A PROBATION ORDER. THE TABLET STRENGTH OF BENPERIDOL WAS 0.25 MG. AND THE STANDARD DOSE ADMINISTERED WAS ONE TABLET THREE TIMES A DAY. THERE WERE NO CASES WHERE SIDE-EFFECT REQUIRED DISCONTINUANCE OF THE TREATMENT. THE UNIVERSAL FINDINGS WERE ABOLITION OF SEXUAL DESIRE AND INABILITY TO OBTAIN AN ERECTION EITHER AS THE RESULT OF FANTASY OR OF MASTURBATION. ALL THE SUBJECTS EXPRESSED THEMSELVES SATISFIED THAT THE MEDICATION CONTROLLED THEIR ABNORMAL SEXUAL DESIRES, ALTHOUGH IN TWO CASES THIS LOSS OF DESIRE WAS NOT ACCOMPANIED BY ANY DIMINUTION OF SEXUAL FANTASIES. THE RESULTS SUGGEST THAT BENPERIDOL WILL BE OF VALUE AS AN ANTILIBIDINOUS DRUG IN THE TREATMENT OF SEXUAL OFFENDERS SELECTED ON THE BASIS OF INTELLIGENCE, COOPERATION, AND STABILITY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)