Chemsex
What is chemsex?
Chemsex (short for chemical sex) means using drugs before or during sex. It is most common among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.
The drugs most often used are crystal meth, GHB and mephedrone. These are sometimes called ‘chems’.
Chemsex can happen between two people or in groups. For example, it can happen at a chemsex party or at a place where people meet for sex.
People may use chems to feel less worried about sex, feel more sexual pleasure or have sex for longer.
However, using chems can also cause problems. You may find it hard to control how much you use or how often you use them. Chems can also affect your physical health, mental wellbeing, work and relationships.
If you choose to use chems, it is important to know about the risks and how to stay as safe as possible. Support is available if you are worried about your drug use or need help.
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 clear liquid. It is usually swallowed, but it can also be put into the rectum.
It has no colour or taste. It can make you feel happy and less worried about things. It can also make you very sleepy.
It is easy to take too much GHB/GBL. An overdose can be very dangerous.
If you use GHB/GBL often, you can become dependent on it. Stopping suddenly can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms. You may need medical help to stop safely.
If you think you are having withdrawal symptoms, go to 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
- Do not share needles
- Use HIV PrEP
- Vaccinate for hepatitis B
- Needle exchange programmes are widely available to provide clean needles.
It can be hard to notice when you are starting to lose control of your drug use. Talking to someone about your drug use can help you spot if it is becoming a problem before it starts to affect your everyday 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.
