August 24 2020

Meth and Promiscuity in Gay Relationships

For some users, meth and sex go hand-in-hand. Meth affects the same “pleasure centers” in the brain as sexual activity. There is a powerful connection between the two. They can combine as someone continues to use drugs. With this type of sexual activity, using drugs for the purpose of enhancing sexual pleasure, is commonly known as “chemsex”. Both heterosexual and homosexual users report that engagement in chemsex provides a strong sense of increased sexual appetite and performance. Conversely, a decrease in sexual inhibition and guilt was also associated. However, the presence of chemsex in the gay community remains substantially higher than that of heterosexual relationships. Due to the compulsive nature of chemsex, these users are in a higher risk category than non-drug users. For example, contracting STIs and sexual assault.

If you, or someone you care about, are dealing with meth addiction, then call 614-502-6247. Our team of professionals at Recovery Hope Treatment is standing by. We are ready to take your call and help you start your sober life. Do not hesitate to call. With our judgment-free policy, you will always feel accepted and welcomed. Call us today and let’s start your new journey soon.

This leaves many wondering: What does meth do to you sexually?

Immediate Effects

Smoking crystal meth and having sex comes with effects. Meth, a powerful drug, looks like small glassy rocks that may be yellow, white, or reddish in appearance. The drug is taken by being smoked, injected, snorted, or swallowed. Using crystal meth causes a happy and intense feeling of being “high”.

Meth works rapidly. By increasing the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Normal levels of these naturally occurring chemicals control “pleasure receptors”. This is the reward part of the brain. It makes us feel good while performing vital activities like eating or having sex. Because meth causes flooding of dopamine, the result is a high that is extremely addictive. Many know that meth increases energy, confidence, sexual performance, and appetite. In contrast, it has a variety of names across the country. A few are listed below.

The Many Names of Meth:

For example, some common names you might come across are:

Speed
Go-Fast
Crystal
Ice
Tina
Tweak
Quick
Chalk

There are many other names out there. Educating yourself could be a very important step in getting you, or someone you know, the help needed. Call us today. We have a ton of information that can be helpful to you. In addition, our experts will make sure you are given the proper information needed. Call today, and let’s get started on a healthier and happier life.

Rise in Chemsex

In the nineties, the most prevalent drugs being used for “party and sex” events among gay men were cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy. Most of these parties or meetups would take place at local parks, house parties, or sex-on-site venues. For example, hourly motels, saunas, sex clubs, and pornographic movie theaters. Cultural acceptance factors in the 2000s, like marriage equality and the introduction of hook-up apps, likely have contributed to more widely accepted general drug use among the gay community. Since the 2000s, the use of more stimulant based drugs has become more prevalent among gay men, leading to the coining of the word chemsex. This is when combining meth and sex became much more popular. Moreover, chemsex drugs most often include crystal meth, GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), ketamine, mephedrone, molly, and GBL (gamma-butyrolactone). In addition, combinations of these drugs are often taken to produce more powerful and longer-lasting highs.

These Combinations Include:

GHB – Gamma-hydroxybutyrate occurs naturally in human cells. Unlike methamphetamine, GHB is a depressant. It causes feelings of tranquility, euphoria, and increased sexual drive. The negative effects associated with GHB abuse are nausea, headaches, excessive sweatiness, confusion and loss of consciousness
Ketamine – This drug is an anesthetic and it works by blocking sensory perception. When taken recreationally, users can experience hallucinations, extreme relaxation, or a feeling of “floating”. High doses of ketamine can cause a range of problems including increased breathing rates, amnesia, high blood pressure, kidney toxicity and more.
GBL – Gamma-butyrolactone is a precursor for GHB. This turns into GHB in the body and creates the same effects. However, because GBL is significantly more potent than GBH, its effects are 2 to 3 times more powerful.
Mephedrone – More commonly known as “bath salts”, mephedrone is a chemically synthetic amphetamine. This drug acts similar to methamphetamine in its effects and addiction patterns.
Molly – This relatively new chemsex drug is another name for the popular club drug, ecstasy. Molly causes mood elevation, more energy, and higher sensitivity to touch.

What Does Meth do to You Sexually?

Meth and sex often go together to create an even higher effect. Smoking crystal meth and having sex is a widespread act many people with sex addiction take part in. The sexual benefits that gay meth users report remain a big motivator in pursuing chemsex. In addition, users are usually looking to greatly alter both the psychological and physical sexual experience. Because of the compulsive nature of methamphetamine use, chemsex can last for multiple hours or even days in some cases. Chemsex often involves many partners but couples are just as likely to use it. Similarly, one can even participate in chemsex while masturbating. These users report a variety of benefits associated with chemsex. As a result, many may suffer from meth and sex addiction.

The Benefits Include:

Increases in sexual satisfaction
Increases in sexual stamina and endurance
Decreases in social anxiety and self-consciousness
Facilitation with weight loss
Increases in feelings of intimacy
Freedom from shame or guilt often associated with sex
Increases in self-esteem in users who have difficulty with their orientation

Meth and sex addiction can be dangerous to your mental health. Continued participation in chemsex can lead to a more intensive addiction than that of drug use alone. Because both sex and drug abuse stimulate the same “feel good” receptors in the brain, the resulting effect when engaging in chemsex is a “super-high”. However, this strong combination of drug and sex addiction is often very difficult to separate and treat alone for both gay and straight users. Gay men often experience a number of seemingly unrelated cultural factors that can sometimes contribute to a tendency to abuse methamphetamine or other drugs. For example:

Internal and external homophobia and heterosexism
More value assigned to perceived beauty and youth
History of mental illness and/or sexual abuse (both of which are more prevalent in the gay community)
Feelings of loneliness, fear, and guilt
HIV/AIDS
The severe gap in social support for gay relationships

Associated Risks for Gay Men

Chemsex, including meth and sex, remains more common among gay men than straight counterparts. So, the risks are substantially more harmful to the gay community. Because meth lowers both physical inhibitions and impairs common sense, users may unintentionally engage in dangerous activities. However, this leads to the transmission of HIV and other STIs.

As inhibition lowers, you may decide to have unprotected sex.
Forgetting to take preventive medication such as PrEP or HIV medicine.
You may forget if condoms or other protection
You might have sex with strangers, or multiple partners met through hook-up or social media apps.
GHB users may become more likely to engage in overly vigorous sex due to its numbing qualities.
You may share needles to inject crystal meth (slamming)
High doses of certain chemsex drugs like GBL and GHB can cause you to lose consciousness or pass out. Because of this, you more susceptible to sexual assault.

Furthermore, some anti-HIV medicines can react negatively to chemsex drugs. For example, there have been documented deaths resulting from reactions between methamphetamine and the antiretroviral medication, Norvir.

Are you struggling with addiction? Do you know someone that is? Call us today. It is our mission to make sure you are getting the help that you need. We will offer you support for your addiction. However, we can also help you help someone else that may have an addiction. Do not hesitate. Call us today. Let’s start your better tomorrow today.

Specialized Treatment for Gay Addicts

Specific treatment is needed to address the many complications of addiction in gay men. Complete dependence care should always prioritize self-acceptance and proof of safe, non-judgmental spaces. The importance of the social and emotional shock of homophobia and heterosexism is also needed to treat gay chemsex addicts successfully. As well, the branding of gay sex, including kinks and fetishes, has no place in these types of practices.

Counseling Strategies

A number of different approaches to treatment have been developed to address chemsex addiction including:

Group counseling – Shared experiences in the community help to fight feelings of shame and inward homophobia.
Cognitive therapy – Behavioral retraining of the brain by consciously changing thought patterns and corresponding actions.
Harm reduction – An acceptance that complete abstinence from drug use is just not realistic for some people. Emphasis is instead placed on minimizing harmful actions and effects from drug use. Examples of this would be needle exchange programs and methadone maintenance programs.
Crystal Meth Anonymous – Structured, self-help meetings with recovered meth addicts.
Differential diagnosis – Identifying and separately addressing two or more underlying issues or conditions which appear similar in nature. An example of this would be a sex addiction that was established before meth use was introduced.

If you need more information about the counseling strategies that Recovery Hope Treatment offers call today. Our experts will be able to provide you with more tips. We will be able to help you figure out the best form of treatment for you and your needs. Call us today, and start your new road to recovery.

Sober Sex

For those wondering: “can you have sex on meth?” The short answer is yes.

For many healing addicts, the idea of sober sex can become an obstacle on their path to recovery. Because chemsex is such an intense and gratifying experience, most addicts think that regular sex will never match this same level of excitement. Many come to believe that sex will be boring. Or, that it may not even be possible without drugs. There is also a fear that having sex, or meeting up with people for sex, will lead them back to meth abuse.

For these users, treatment should help identify and accept the critical relationship between sexual enjoyment and meth. A short pause in having sex is an important step. To allow the body and mind to rest and heal. Fasting also creates an opportunity to separate the vital link between meth use and sex mentally. Additionally, addicts should understand that chemsex was not ordinary sex. Although sober sex may not be as pleasurable, it can still be significant.

If repeated action in sexually risky behaviors continues after successful drug treatment, an addict may be suffering from a different type of sex addiction. In this case, more specific treatment, such as co-occurring approaches, may be needed.

For more information, please call us. Our experts are here to help guide you to the road of recovery. We understand that every person is different. Meaning every addiction is different. We will help you find the right treatment for you, and get you on the path that best fits your needs. There is no need to wait until it is too late. Call us now and get the help you need.

Meth and Promiscuity in Gay Relationships