HIV and sex drugs: Chemsex leads to poor condom use and high-risk sexual practices

Experts are worried over the fact that use of recreational drugs during sex, particularly gay sex, can lead to HIV and hepatitis infections. Doctors have warned that new chemsex drugs such as mephedrone and GHB, methamphetamine (ice) and gamma hydroxybutyrate may lead to improper condom use, increase in promiscuity and high-risk sexual practices due to loss of sexual inhibitions.

Although chemsex primarily is used in relation to men who have sex with other men (MSM), it is not restricted to gay or bisexual men only. Straight men and women also participate in high-risk sexual practices after taking ice. Chemsex is also a growing subculture in Australia. A study in the BMJ revealed the dangers of chemsex and pointed out the importance of declaring it a public health priority.

What is Chemsex?

Chemsex refers to the use of drugs during sex. It may increase chances of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Mephedrone, γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), γ-butyrolactone (GBL) and crystallised methamphetamine lead to a loss of sexual inhibitions and facilitate sexual sessions that can last several hours and even days.

Multiple sexual partners may be involved in these intense sex sessions. Crystal meth and mephedrone are physiological stimulants that increase blood pressure and heart rate. They are often taken to experience euphoria and sexual stimulation. GHB and its preursor GBL act as mild anaesthetic and are powerful physiological disinhibitors.

An increasing number of people are injecting these drugs into their system and participating in chemsex, party and play and other harmful sexual practices. As the drugs induce a feeling of instant rapport with sexual partners, sexual networking apps facilitate the takers in omitting the need to socialise and get on with the sex.

According to the Mirror, a 2014 study of sexual behaviour in people living with HIV revealed more than half the 2,248 MSM included had used drugs in the past three months. Almost a quarter had used more than three drugs. In 2015, results of a survey of 874 men involving in chemsex revealed sexual episodes of 12 to 48 hours. Half of the respondents reported having sex with four to 10 partners in a single session.

Sexual networking apps have added to the reasons Australians are taking up chemsex. Popularity of smartphone dating apps for gay men and availability of the drug ice have contributed to the rise in harmful sexual practices. The subculture has been growing steadily in Australia over the past two years.

“I've seen a number of patients that have been taking methamphetamine and mixing that with GHB, and often people will have blackouts with that, they'll lose time. Some people are being raped as well. There's a few people we've been seeing who have been unconscious that have been abused while they've been asleep,” Sydney GP Brad McKay had earlier told the ABC in April.