Many guys may feel comfortable with their use of chems. However, chems use can potentially carry an increased risk of contracting STIs/HIV, impact on mental and/or physical health and can lead to dependency. If you are using chems, the best way to stay safe is know what you are doing: including knowing the risks, things you can do to reduce the risks, setting limits and being aware of support services.
Crystal meth: also known as ‘tina’
|
What does it feel like? |
What are the risks? |
|
Wide awake |
High blood pressure, risk of heart attack/stroke |
|
Impulsive |
Increased risk of Hep C, if you share needles |
|
Aroused |
Exhaustion, paranoia and hallucinations |
Specific advice:
Avoid taking if you are using HIV medications or anti-depressants
Take regular breaks between use
GHB/GBL: also known as ‘G’
|
What does it feel like? |
What are the risks? |
|
Aroused |
It is highly addictive, people can become dependent |
|
Relaxed |
Wrong dosage can lead to unconsciousness |
|
Warm |
Risk of fatal overdose |
|
|
Vulnerability and risk of sexual assault |
Specific advice:
Avoid mixing with other depressants: for example, alcohol or ketamine
Use a pipette or syringe to measure the dose
Mix with a non-alcoholic drink
Make sure someone you trust is around
Mephedrone: also known as ‘meow meow’ ’MCAT’
|
What does it feel like? |
What are the risks? |
|
Confident |
Anxiety |
|
Aroused |
Increased heart rate & palpitations |
|
Energetic |
Hallucinations and fits |
Specific advice:
Drink plenty of water
Avoid use if you have issues with high blood pressure and heart problems
Cocaine: also known as ‘charlie’
|
What does it feel like? |
What are the risks? |
|
Aroused |
Increased heart rate/ heart attack |
|
Excited |
Paranoia |
|
Confident |
Anxious and panicky |
Specific advice:
Drink plenty of water
Avoid use if you issues with high blood pressure and heart problems
Ketamine: also known as ‘K’
|
What does it feel like? |
What are the risks? |
|
Loss of feeling in the body |
Due to numbness, left vulnerable to assault or injury |
|
Hallucinations |
Increased heart rate/blood pressure |
|
Out of body experience |
Agitation and confusion |
|
Bladder and kidney problems |
Specific advice:
Drink plenty of water
Avoid mixing with other drugs: alcohol, GHB/GBL, other psychedelics
If someone you are using chems with is unresponsive or having difficulty breathing:
- Phone 999 immediately.
- Place them in the recovery position until the ambulance arrives.
- Let the ambulance crew know what the person has taken.
Try and stay calm and stay with them until the ambulance arrives.
What else can help reduce the risks?
There are different risks involved when using chems, either outside of sex or when used along with sex. There are some areas that the risk can be reduced for the safer use of chems.
- Try and use chems with someone that you trust as they can affect your judgement.
- Avoid using chems for too long a period; over longer periods of time you are more likely to experience hallucinations and paranoia.
- Avoid sharing any snorting or injecting equipment. If you do inject, avoid letting anyone else inject you. Clean injecting equipment can be accessed from Harm Reduction Services.
- Chems used with sex can lower your inhibitions, and can put you at higher risk of getting STIs and HIV. It is important to get tested for STIs, HIV and hepatitis C (once every 3 months).
- If you are concerned about your level of HIV risk, speak to sexual health services about the use of PrEP. It can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by up to 99%.
Setting boundaries
If you are using chems with sex, it is good to think about what type of sex you want and setting boundaries.
- Know what you are mixing: be cautious with mixing drugs as this can exacerbate the effects of forgetting where you are and who you are.
- Be clear about your limits: on websites and apps be clear about what you’re not willing to do before you meet.
- Find about the type of session: check before you go about what the session is about; is it bareback, fetish etc?
- Do what you enjoy: Be confident in only doing things you want. The more comfortable you are, the more fun you can have.
- Change your mind: even though you have started, you finish it when you want. You have a right to say no, and it is your body.
Do you need further advice or are you struggling with your chems use?
Please feel free to speak in confidence to one of the sexual health practitioners in the ROAM team or contact us by phone or email. They can offer further guidance and support. The information links and local services below can offer further risk reduction information and one to one support.
Risk reduction and support information
Safer chems guide: https://www.gmfa.org.uk/Pages/Category/safer-chems
Online chemsex support: http://dean.st/chemsex/
Support information: Waverley Care – Chemsex
Chemsex advice for families/friends: http://londonfriend.org.uk/antidotefamilies
Information on PrEP in Scotland: https://prep.scot/
Local support services
ROAM: men who have sex with men service with drop in sexual health testing services, support for male sex workers and one to one health and well-being support.
https://www.roam-outreach.com/
Waverley Care: Instant testing for HIV/syphilis and sexual health and well-being support services (including one to one support) for men who have sex with men.
Waverley Care is Scotland’s HIV and Hepatitis C charity
Harm Reduction Team: provision of safer injecting equipment and risk reduction advice.
https://services.nhslothian.scot/harmreductionteam/Pages/default.aspx
Crew 2000: drop in, outreach and counselling support for those using cannabis, stimulants and other drugs.
