Chemsex: what is it, drugs during the act, effect, why?

Definition: what is chemsex?

Contraction of the English words “chemical” (chemical) and “sex” (sex), chemsex designates drug use during sex. This practice, which originated in the Anglo-Saxon gay community, intended to disinhibit practitioners and prolong carnal relationships. Psychoactive drugs can be snorted, injected intravenously, swallowed or administered anally. “The resorting to “drug sex” is the prerogative of homosexual men, although it is beginning to develop in heterosexual circles. If this phenomenon has been known for fifteen years, it has taken off enormously recently with social networks and dating applications. vsnotes Yann Botrel. According to a study conducted by the addictovigilance center of Paris and Montpellier, chemsex is believed to have resulted in 24 of the 235 deaths identified between January 2008 and August 2017. The report also observes a significant increase in the number of cases (1 case in 2008 against 50 during the first months of 2017). “In reality, there are many more. In Lyon alone, in 2017, 20 deaths in connection with Chemsex were recorded so on a national scale, this is necessarily more important but the deaths are not listed as We don’t talk about it much because the subject remains taboo, it’s quite special to admit that a member of your family died in a chemsex”, nuance the addictologist.

What drugs are used in Chemsex?

Many psychoactive substances can be used in chemsex and are often combined. Those most often used are:

• poppers,
• GHB/GBL,
• methamphetamine,
• ketamine,
• cathinones (4-MEC, 3-MMC4P, MDPV…)
• cocaine.

What are the desired effects in Chemsex?

If the effects vary according to the products consumed, all of them have overall stimulating, euphoric, uplifting and relaxing properties. These substances aim to increase self-confidence, empathy, to boost attraction and sexual stamina. All of these drugs also promote the disinhibition of partners. In high doses, ketamine has hallucinatory effects. Cocaine is stimulating and develops sexual desire, amphetamines can stimulate and disinhibit, MDMA boosts libido in a colossal way, which can cause subjects to feel attraction to all people present, including partners who would not have interested them in another context. “Chemsex enthusiasts consider that taking drugs enhances the sexual act. Thanks to amphetamines, this effect can last two to three days since the fatigue disappears, which gives rise to sexual marathons which are prolonged. In addition, most of these products will have the effect of releasing serotonin, the mood hormone, and dopamine, the pleasure hormone, in large quantities. It creates heightened libidos and feelings of omnipotence.”specifies our interlocutor.

What are the dangers of Chemsex?

Chemsex is a dangerous practice that leads users to consume more and more drugs in an irresistible way (craving). The consumption of ketamine is associated with mood disorders, hallucinations and states of panic. Cocaine, methamphetamine and cathinones lead to cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory risks, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts. GHB/GBL can cause unconsciousness. Generally speaking, these drug cocktails can lead to overdoses, intoxications and comas. “The association of certain drugs can cause death and the users do not even know it, deplores Yann Botrel. For example, it is particularly dangerous to mix GHB and alcohol because this combination can lead to an irreversible coma. Because of their lack of inhibition, chemsex enthusiasts do not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves (sharing syringes, forgetting condoms). Result, the STIs and other contaminations by HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis are on the rise. Finally, chemsex is associated with a increase in sexual assault and rape since the notion of sexual consent cannot always be clearly established”.

In addictology, whatever the product or the behavior, you should never be moralizing because it does not work. Several precautions can help reduce the risks associated with this practice:

• Chemsex with people you know and trust
• Pay attention to the origin of the substances: obtain them from people you trust.
• Use sterile, clean equipment.
• Find out about product mixes beforehand.
• Promote regular screening for HIV, STIs and hepatitis.
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A, B and C.

Where to find help when you are addicted to Chemsex?

Once habituation is established, it is necessary to consult a trusted healthcare professional. The CSAPAs (Centres for Care, Support and Prevention in Addictology) bring together addictologists, doctors and nurses who know the subject perfectly. You can also contact a general practitioner, a psychiatrist, a psychologist or someone from an association (AIDS, Drugs Info Service). Hypnosis also turns out to be a very good support tool since it makes it possible to obtain modified states of consciousness similar to those obtained under the effect of drugs and to work on the emotions anesthetized by the substances.. “However, hypnotherapy being an unregulated profession, it is preferable to contact a specialist with a medical or paramedical background. It is interesting to favor a multidisciplinary approach”, nuances the specialist. Some drugs require substitution treatment since they cause much too strong cravings (opiates such as morphine), for others, sudden withdrawal is dangerous (alcohol, benzodiazepines).

Source : The website Addiction Federation

Thanks to Yann Botrel, addictologist hypnotherapist.