Gay chemsex
Why do gay men undertake chemsex?
Stéphane, a volunteer with the French people organisation AIDES, set the tone for the recent 3rd European ChemSex Forum in Paris when he explained why he continues to use drugs in sexual situations. There are multiple reasons, many of them shared by other people, he said.
“Firstly, the idea of pleasure is essential,” he said.
“There is also the fear of not being able to do without, as good as the fear of not being up to the mark.
Glossary
chemsex
The use of recreational drugs such as mephedrone, GHB/GBL and crystal meth before or during sex.
anxiety
A feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, which can be mild or severe. Anxiety disorders are conditions in which anxiety dominates a person’s life or is experienced in particular situations.
psychiatry
A branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. Psychiatrists are doctors who trained in general medicine before specialising in mental health. They can prescribe medication.
depression
A mental health problem causing long-lasting short mood that interferes with everyday life.
libido
Another word for
Understanding Chemsex
Gay culture is as varied as the people in it. However, some stereotypes have stuck around for a reason — they contain a grain of truth. For example, bars and clubs possess always been important parts of gay culture since they are historically the only places where it was possible to see and mingle with other queer people. The same-sex attracted bar scene can be a lot of joy. It also has a dark side, where unhealthy relationships with substance employ can lead to problems, including addiction.
The combination of sex and substances, recognizable as “chemsex,” is recognized in our culture. It can be a glass of wine before a romantic evening or a shared joint to “get in the mood.” In gay culture, the combination of sex and methamphetamines (as well as poppers, which are inhalant forms of different kinds of nitrites), is a prevalent form of chemsex.
More About Methamphetamine Use
Methamphetamine, also called “Tina,” is a substance that can contain chemicals like rubbing alcohol and lye. People smoke, inject or snort meth. Some of the common signs of meth use are sweating, enlarged pupils, extremely fast pulse, dizziness, racing thoughts and talkativeness. People who use meth may
Injecting drugs
Sometimes people inject crystal meth and mephedrone. With this there is an increased risk of infections and viruses like HIV and HEP A&B. To minimise your risk never share needles.
Set Group Rules
Agree in advance, and while sober, what sex you want to have – and don’t want to have. Make sure everyone is in agreement about what is going to happen and respect others boundaries.
Safer Sex?
Be upfront about the type of sex you want to include – including if you want to use condoms. – and bring safer sex materials with you. Not using condoms can put you at exposure of STIs, and people on certain drugs may have rougher sex increasing the risk of bleeding and infection.
PrEP
PrEP is a drug which, when taken correctly, prevents you from contracting HIV. If you are going to contain unproteced sex with muliple partners and under the influence of drugs – PrEP could be beneficial in limiting your peril of HIV infection.
Other substances?
You should avoid mixing drugs, with alcohol and any other drugs and never mix poppers with erectile drugs like Viagra – please check out our information on dosing for more advice o
Chemsex – the Drugs and Sex Subculture in the Gay Community
Brian Paddick, the former deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan police, have spoken out movingly about the dangers of the chemsex drug, GHB. Paddick’s ex-boyfriend, Michael, died of a GHB overdose at a chemsex party in 2013. Speaking out publicly for the first time about Michael’s tragic death, Paddick is calling for a government-funded publicity programme to raise consciousness about chemsex drugs. But what help is there to stop for people who get addicted to chemsex?
What Is Chemsex?
Chemsex is the practice of taking drugs, often GHB, mephedrone and/or methamphetamine, for the specific purpose of facilitating sexual activity between gay men. The designation chemsex also refers to the parties, often hosted by dealers of chemsex drugs, where men join up to take drugs and have sex.
Chemsex is distinct to sex that takes place after queer men have used recreational drugs coincidentally. Instead, chemsex is the intentional employ of drugs to fuel, enhance or prolong sexual activity.
The drugs that are typically used for chemsex have a range of mood-altering effects, as skillfully as significant risks to the user. They inclu
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