Chemsex
What is chemsex?
Chemsex (short for chemical sex) is the use of recreational drugs before or during sexual activity, primarily among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. The drugs used are usually crystal meth, gammahydroxybutryrate (GHB) and mephedrone and these can be referred to as ‘chems’.
Chems can be used in different situations including in group scenarios such as chemsex parties or sex on site premises. Chems are used initially to reduce inhibitions, heighten sexual pleasure, and sustain longer sex sessions but their use increases other risks, and control over their use can quickly be lost. This can have negative impacts on all areas of life including physical health, emotional wellbeing, work and relationships.
For this reason, it is important that awareness is increased about the risks of chemsex, as well as of services that help people who decide to partake in chemsex to keep themselves as safe as possible.
Which drugs are used in chemsex?
There are three main drugs used for chemsex:
Crystal methamphetamine is a stimulant that is taken by swallowing, snorting, injecting, smoking or inserting into the rectum (“booty bumping”).
It makes people feel alert and aroused but can also cause agitation, paranoia and can cause damage to the brain over time.
Mephedrone is taken by snorting or inserted into the rectum usually but can be smoked, injected or swallowed. It makes people feel alert and aroused but can cause anxiety and paranoia as well.
GHB/GBL is usually a liquid that is drunk or inserted into the rectum, it is colourless and tasteless. People feel euphoric and it reduces inhibitions, but it can also cause drowsiness and it is easy to overdose on.
If you become dependent on GHB/GBL, withdrawal can be dangerous and medical assistance is often needed to help reduce and stop its use. If you are concerned that you are withdrawing, you need to visit A and E urgently.
What are the risks of chemsex?
Some of the risks associated with the use of chems are:
- Sex-related harms - increased partners, more condomless sex, higher risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, non-consensual sex when intoxicated
- Drug-related harms - unintentional overdose, drug induced psychosis, difficulty engaging in sober sex, drug-drug interactions, dependence, withdrawal
- Other harms - financial concerns, loss of employment due to drug use
How can I reduce the risks associated with chemsex?
There are a number of things that you can do to reduce the risks associated with chemsex if you decide you would like to partake in this. These include:
Through learning about the drugs and how they are used you can reduce the risk of overdose.
For example, safer dosing of GHB:
- Measuring doses in a syringe
- Waiting at least 2 hours between doses
- Not mixing alcohol with GHB
- Knowing when to call for emergency help for yourself or someone else, for example if you notice symptoms of overdose
Through safer sexual practice and prevention methods you can reduce the risk of this. For example:
- Condom use
- Taking HIV PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), PEPSE (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) or DoxyPEP
- Being vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, MPox and gonorrhoea
- Regular STI testing
- Don't share needles
- Use HIV PrEP
- Vaccinate for hepatitis B
- Needle exchange programmes are widely available to provide clean needles.
Loss of control can often sneak up on us and sometimes speaking with someone about your use can help you keep a check as to whether it is becoming a problem, before it causes bigger problems in your day to day life.
Where can I go for more information or if I need some help?
If you are engaging in chemsex iCaSH Norfolk can offer you risk reduction strategies and treatments such as PrEP, DoxyPEP, regular testing and vaccines - please contact your local clinic on 0300 300 3030 to book an appointment.
- If you have had unprotected chemsex in the last 72 hours and you are not on PrEP, then contact iCaSH Norfolk or A and E urgently to request PEPSE to reduce your risk of acquiring HIV.
- If you are concerned that you or someone else may have overdosed on recreational/party drugs, then you need to call 999 for an ambulance immediately.
- If you are dependent on GHB/GBL and experiencing withdrawal symptoms, you need to attend A and E urgently.
- iCaSH Norfolk have a specific Chemsex clinic at Rowan House Norwich once per month for residents of Norfolk. If you would like to book an appointment, please call 0300 300 3030.
Chemsex website
The Terrence Higgins Trust have a chemsex website discussing safer practices, reducing the risk and where to turn if you need help:
Norfolk Alcohol and Drug Behaviour Change Service
Change Grow Live provide free drug and alcohol support to meet individual needs, including chemsex.
