Sexual Health Harms for men who have sex with men engaging in Chemsex behaviours
Chemsex presents potentially harmful effects that are different from those linked to other recreational drugs and how they are used. Methamphetamine, GHB/GBL, and mephedrone can all lead to unwanted effects including agitation, anxiety, paranoia, aggression, and psychoses. Intense comedowns can cause users to feel suicidal. All drugs can lead to dependency for the user, which can happen quite rapidly after a relatively short, intense period of use. There are reports of overdose with unconsciousness and death. Serious drug interactions with a range of drugs including alcohol and HIV antiretroviral medications can occur (bourne,2015).
The drugs have been associated with increased sexual risk behaviours, such as unprotected sex, which may lead to an increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. The drugs may also increase disinhibition and hypersexuality, leading to unwanted sexual experiences that users later regret. Some drugs can induce coma and there are reports of use associated with sexual assault. The anaesthetic nature of some drugs facilitates longer sexual encounters, sex with multiple partners, and can lead to increased rectal, penile trauma, all of which may facilitate STI/HIV transmission. Some drugs can be administered intravenously, which increases the risk of transmission of blood-borne viruses including HIV and hepatitis B and…