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Sorry for the long winded post. I agree, that test really is just relative to some "standard" prescribed by some individuals personal perception of what they consider to be normal sexual behavoir. Classic example is; What is "swinging" to some is "reprehensible sexual conduct" to others. A group of "swingers" setting the standard would be far more lenient than a group of catholic priests. Therefore it all boils down to who is "setting the bar" so to speak. Then we have to ask if this individual test is accepted and endorsed by the medical community. Personally, I do not think this individual test is. These types of tests are designed with open-ended questions that could be "Yes" or "No" for a specific reson. A lot of times just merely accepting to take the test is worth weight. I mean, consider a person for example that was alcohol free. That person would not even consider taking a test that would define if they were addicted to alcohol or drugs. So just the fact that an individual agrees to take this type of test, gives weight to the score. This would also relate to a monogamous married relationship; say like two kids, two jobs, hubby and wife have sex a few times a week, maybe say sexy little things to each other during the week, doesn't make it a point to view on-line porn and have only 1 CD of porn in their collection, etc. They would probably consider taking a test like that just a waste of time. I base my thoughts on a discussion with an alcohol & drug counselor. Many years ago, around 1990, I was drinking a lot. Going thru a divorce, etc. I would drink pretty much daily....and I liked it. I practiced this for over a year, I even went to work drunk a few times because I worked the night shift. I won't make this long, but it got to a point that whenever I was driving and passed a liquor store here (State run liquor stores in NC), I was aware of it and felt I wanted to stop in. That’s when I decided to go to the county health facility and take a volunteer alcohol addiction test. Much like this one on sexual addiction, only I think that AA test was like 75 questions or so and was timed also. My results came back that I was borderline. That’s when I was able to mentally draw a line in the sand and put an emotional feeling to a sensed level of addiction. I had a discussion with the counselor; I asked questions about the test that were confusing to me. She said just taking the test had score weight; even finishing or not finishing the test had score weight. How many questions were answered had weight and which questions that were answered or not answered had weight. Many questions are designed to ask you the same question in two different ways, one is a way that a normal person would answer in one way, and the other question would be answered in a way that an addiction would relate to and be answered accordingly. Anyway, in my mind, this short test on the net is just a marketing gimmick. In no way does it provide any substance or any conclusion as a scientific or medical evaluation. At least not based on my past experiences. The results are highly inconclusive and a score of 13 or 10, or 5 or 25 is really just not relevant to anything other than as a comparison to other test takers. Oh, and in case your interested, my drinking habits have been in check for years. I pretty much quit drinking for years after taking that test and understanding where I stood and what I was feeling at that time. It wasn't until maybe 3 years ago that I started to have anything to drink. A six pack usually lasts me over two weeks. I have two six packs sitting on top of the fridge...I really don't remember when I bought them. I would guess two months ago. Thanks for reading.

The following is the summary of the study and findings. This was a NORTH AMERICAN sample (U.S. and Canada). The purpose of this study was to gather information about the sexual activities of swingers, to determine the incidence and prevalence of STDs in this population, and to evaluate the safe sex practices of swingers. - In previous research, the samples have been skewed on average 70% male and 30% female (Bergstrand & Williams, 2000; Fernandes, 2009). Typically, male sexual orientation is heterosexual (over 80%), and female sexual orientation is reported as Bisexual (over 66%). Bisexuality among males has been reported at 20% (Fernandes, 2009). Most individuals engage in swinging activities on average 4-6 times a year (0ver 15% engage monthly) (Fernandes, 2009). Over 90% swap partners at least some of the time, and over 38% engage in group sex (Fernandes, 2009). Swingers are an unrecognized and under-reported risk group. To date, here has been little or no research information regarding the average number of partners the safe sex practices of swingers the incidence or prevalence of STIs (Fernandes, 2009). In 2007 a study conducted by the Department of Pathology, Laboratory of Immunogenetics at the VU University Medical Center in The Netherlands, and presented at the 15th Annual EUPHA Meeting in 2007 Found that the prevalence of STD in swingers in the Netherlands were higher for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea when compared to another risk groups such as adolescents. Study Research Questions Do demographic differences still exist between male and female respondents with a large sample size (n > 2,500 respondents)? What are the rates of STI transmission through swinging sexual activities generally and for several specific STIs within a group of swingers? What are the point prevalence rates (% that currently have an STD) for having an STI and for several specific STIs within a group of swingers? Are STD rates affected - Demographics - Swinging Frequency - Safer sex behaviors - Attitudes toward swinging Sample: The respondents were a self-selected sample of swingers (sample of convenience) recruited through an online advertisement in three of major swingers’ web dating sites. Instrument: A survey was constructed by the researchers. A link to the survey was made available through the participating sites. Survey questions included a demographics section, a sexual behaviour and attitudes section, a safe sex practices section, and a STD profile section Results Demographic Gender Differences within the Sample 2,103 (74%) men & 741 (26%) women Sexual Orientation Men: more heterosexuals (84%) than bisexuals (15%) Women: more bisexuals (72%) than heterosexuals (28%) Very few identified as homosexual 8 (0.4%) men; 1 (0.1%) woman Age 40% of men and women were 35-45 Men: more 45 or older (45%) than under 35 years old (16%) Women: more under 35 years old (33%) than of over 45 (27%) Race/Ethnicity 84% Caucasian; 10% Latino; 3% Black Present Marital Status 72% married; 13% cohabiting; 7% single Swinging Frequency 75% reported 2-12 times per year More men than women reported swinging less than once a year (6% vs 3%) More women than men reported swinging weekly (14% vs 7%) Table 3. Proportions of participants (by sex) that reported contracting any STD and specific STDs during swinging sexual activities. Men (n = 2062) Women (n = 727) Proportions that said "yes" Ever contracted an STD during swinging sexual activities .06 .11 Vaginitis .01 .05 Chlamydia .02 .03 Gonorrhea .01 .00 Syphilis .00 .00 Herpes .01 .02 HPV .01 .03 HIV .00 .00 Yeast Infection .01 .06 Bladder Infection .00 .04 Kidney Infection .00 .00 Other STD .01 .01 Table 4. Proportions of participants (by sex) that reported currently having any STD and specific STDs. Men (n = 2012) Women (n = 709) Proportions that said "yes" Do you currently have an STD .04 .05 Vaginitis .00 .00 Chlamydia .00 .00 Gonorrhea .00 .00 Syphilis .00 .00 Herpes .03 .03 HPV .01 .03 HIV .00 .00 Yeast Infection .00 .00 Bladder Infection .00 .00 Kidney Infection .00 .00 Other STD .00 .00 Table 5. Percentages of participants who reported ever contracting an STD during swinging by marital status. Men Women n % Yes n % Yes Married 1478 6.0 492 7.7 Single 153 7.2 48 12.5 Cohabi5ng 242 7.0 105 22.9 Widowed 11 0.0 6 16.7 Divorced 98 2.0 32 15.6 Other 37 2.7 25 20.0 Total 2019 5.9 708 11.2 Table 6. Percentages of participants who reported ever contracting an STD during swinging by swinging frequency. Men Women n % Yes n % Yes Less than once a year 122 5.7 24 4.2 At least once a year 174 5.2 49 4.1 At least 2 to 5 0mes a year 595 4.0 168 10.7 At least 6 to 8 0mes a year 473 5.3 186 11.3 Monthly 511 7.6 189 14.8 Weekly 155 12.3 105 11.4 Total 2030 6.1 721 11.4 Safer Sex Behavior Items (items used to measure the level of sex sex practices). Safer Oral Sex Behaviors When engaging in oral sex during swinging… I use condoms I ask my partner(s) to use condoms I use a latex barrier (i.e. dental dams) I ask my partner(s) to use a latex barrier (i.e. dental dams) Safer Intercourse Behaviors When engaging in vaginal sex during swinging I use condoms When engaging in anal sex during swinging I use condoms When engaging in vaginal or anal sex during swinging I ask my partner(s) to use condoms Safer Sex Assessment Behaviors I ask my sexual partners for their STD status I tell my partners about my STD I get tested for STDs at least once a year Risky Sexual Behaviors I have engaged in swinging activities while infected by an STD I share sex toys with other sexual partners I swing with "single" individuals Please note: 5.9% of the Men and 11.2% of the Women reported ever having acquired an STD through swinging. This number is well below what would be expected in the general population .All of the STDs reported (with the exception of HERPES (.2% and HPV .3%) were bacterial infections. The most common infections were vanigitis and chlamydia. Conclusions based on this study: 1.*Swingers, by self-report, have very low rates of STDs, even though not all engage in safer sex practices. 2.* Women are twice as likely to report getting infected with a STD during swinging. 3.*Different variables differ among those who have versus those that have not been infected with a STD through swinging. 4. We may question the simple statement that multiple partners = high STD risk – we must consider the context as with this population. 5. Swinging itself may not be as high a risk behavior as we assume. 6. Swingers consider swinging a safe behavior; swingers also feel that other swingers are trustworthy. However: Sample : self-selected sample of convenience May not be representative of the population Although individuals were the units of this study it is reasonable to assume that their responses reflect the experience of the “couple”. Individuals infected with STIs may have dropped out of swinging Respondents may have had a bias motivation in participating in the survey. Further research is necessary using urogenital sampling. My own observations: It is possible that Herpes may have been contracted other than by swinging (it is estimated that in the U.S. about 70% of the population actually has herpes). Herpes is NOT an STD per se since there are other means of contracting it other than sexual contact. (by the way, herpes is, overall, less harmful than most viral disease). HOWEVER, HPV is a sexual transmitted viral disease most likely to be picked up by sexual contact alone. When you consider the incidence of STDs among this sample population, two questions can be asked. Why is the incidence so low since only about 65% practice safe sex? Why don't more people practice safe sex if they're swinging in "open" groups? Another observation, of the people reporting having acquired and STD through swinging engaged in sexual activities with "single" individuals (not part of a couple). It is plausible the infections may derive from "other" sexual activity other than swinging. Also, remember that although there was a distinction made between Males and Females for the purposes of demographics. it is assumed that either represented one part of a couple. If you have further questions feel free to drop me a line. Cheers! DrZiggy

I wasn't worried to begin with. I know I'm normal, I don't need a test to pigeonhole me as an addict. I was under the impression it was mostly for fun, and not a true diagnosis. Growing up in a strict Catholic family also led to a lot repression with my sexuality because my family makes it clear that they will disown you. There are a lot of questions that are vague and can be both yes and no. I just went with yes for the sake of being honest. I re-took it saying no to those ones and got a 9. It's all relative.