Chemsex Drugs
Free independent and confidential advice from a clinician on all aspects of chemsex drug use, detox, rehabilitation, treatment, admission, costs, location and availability.
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What is Chemsex?
Chemsex usually involves men engaging in sexual activity (sometimes in large groups) while under the influence of illegal drugs. It isn’t just a phenomenon among gay men. A lot of bisexual men, or whose who are outwardly straight, also engage in chemsex sessions.
Chemsex
Why do people engage in chemsex?
Some people engage in chemsex because they suffer from poor self-esteem, others due to perceived stigma while others do it to enjoy sex with less inhibitions and others who seek enhanced sexual pleasure. While women sometimes use chemsex drugs in relationships, and sometimes if engaged in sexworking, the term chemsex usually refers to men engaging in group sex with other men.
Chemsex
What drugs are used?
There are three main drugs involved:
- GHB/GBL (gamma-hydroxybutyrate/gamma-butyrolactone)
- Methamphetamine
- Mephedrone (meow meow)
What are these drugs and what do they do?
What is Mephedrone?
Mephedrone, also known as meow meow (m-cat and miaow) is a very powerful stimulant. It is closely related to speed and ecstasy which are amphetamines. It is sold, illegally, in powder form which looks slightly yellowish or off-white. Dealers will tell users that what they are selling are bath salts or plant food.
How does it affect a user?
All users respond differently when using Mephedrone. Commonly reported symptoms/clinical observations include:
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- Chronic Insomnia (diffuctly sleeping)
- Vertigo (dizziness)
- Seizures
- Hallucications
- Extreme Agitation
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Strokes
- Uncontrollable Changes To Body Temperature
- Suicidality When Withdrawing
- Low Mood
- Rapid Mood Swings
- Lethargy
As with all illegal drugs, the user cannot be assured of what they are taking. Research suggests that up to 50% of the product sold is made up of other ingredients.
Chemsex
What is GBL/GHB?
These are both colourless, somewhat oily, liquids. On very rare occasions they come in capsule of power/paste form. They are also known as Gina, G, Liquid E and liquid ecstasy. They can taste slightly salty. GBL turns into GHB, in the body, when taken. It takes effect more quickly than GHB.
How long does it take for the effects to show?
Users will, ordinarily, begin to feel the effects in fifteen minutes and the effects can last for up to four hours.
What do these drugs do?
Both are depressants. A small dose will make the user feel high while a larger dose will make them sedated.
What happens if you mix GHB/GBL with other drugs or alcohol?
Due to their potency, even a millimetre more than sufficient to provide a “high” can make someone unconscious. Mixing it with alcohol can increase the risk of sedation. If used with other depressant drugs, such as Ketamine or Valium (benzodiazepines) death can occur.
What is withdrawal like?
Withdrawal from GHB/GBL can be very rapid and start within 1-2 hours and can last for up to 12 days.
Symptoms can include:
- Anixety
- Vomiting
- High Blood Pressure
- Insomnia
- Delirum
- Hallucinations
- Seizure
- Death
When GBL/GHB is taken for more than seven days in a row, it is extremely dangerous to stop taking and a user must be admitted to a rehab centre for medically supervised treatment.
Chemsex
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is a stimulant. While they have clinical uses, in the realms of chemsex the type of Methamphetamine used is crystal meth. This stimulates the central nervous system.
How is it taken?
Sold in a crystal-like form, users crush it and will either inject it, smoke it or snort it. Sometimes it can be swallowed.
What are the effects?
Users will take Crystal Meth in chemsex situations as it can make them feel happy, confident and full of energy. However, the side effects can be very serious and include:
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Pruritus (severe/persistent itching)
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Blurred vision
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Bruxism (grinding teeth)
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Tachycardia (fast heartbeat)
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Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
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Xerostomia (severe dry mouth)
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Extreme anxiety
These can last up to 12 hours
Long term implications:
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Persistent paranoia
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Chronic insomnia
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Anorexia
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Weakened immune system leading to persistent flu-like symptoms
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Severe dental decay
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Long term muscle stiffness
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Kidney disease
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Depression
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Increased risk of stroke
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Poor concentration
Withdrawal may take several days and users may experience:
- Extreme tiredness
- Hallucinations
- Severe paranoia
- Chronic vertigo
- Intense feelings of sadness and irritability
- Headaches
Frequent use, especially at high doses can cause a psychotic episode. Such episodes can last several days and users may experience:
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Unusual extreme violence
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Severe paranoia, delusions and hallucinations
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Overdose (death)
Chemsex
What happens if someone uses all three chemsex drugs?
Taking a mixture of GHB/GBL, crystal meth and Mephedrone places the user at very significant risk of acute medical emergency, psychological distress, mental illness and death. GHB/GBL withdrawal requires medical intervention, usually with benzodiazepines and may also require antipsychotics.
What help is available?
Trying to treat chemsex addiction at home is wholly inadvisable. The clinical risk factors outweigh the comforts of being treated around family and friends. Due to the nature of chemsex drugs, medical intervention is central to a safe recovery. Medical management, including prescribing medication to manage withdrawals, will be an integral part of the treatment plan.
How long does it take?
The withdrawal timeline from chemsex drugs can last two to three weeks. A reputable centre would offer a minimum of a four-week admission, though there may be exceptions where a client can access a two-week treatment plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Unsurprisingly, we get asked a lot of questions, to make things easier for you, we have included some of the most common one below.
How do I arrange admission?
The first step is to speak to one of our clinicians who can advise on treatment plans, length of treatment and where the most appropriate centre is to the individual
How much will it cost?
This depends on various factors centred around how long a stay is required, location and how far a client is able to travel if they want to reduce cost.
Does my GP need to know?
Our clinicians would always advise a client to involve their GP in their care. However, we understand that, for some, they would rather their family doctor not know that they are dependent on chemsex drugs. While, depending on the individual, a centre may require medical information, this can be sought from a GP surgery in the form of a medical summary. This way a client does not need to inform the surgery as to why they want this.
What if I go to A+E?
The National Health Service (NHS) has a duty of care: to what is reasonable in the circumstances. As the NHS is not funded to provide treatment for drug dependency they will not admit someone, unless there is an underlying medical need. As soon as a patient is stabilised, they will discharge the person and signpost them to local statutory services
Can I get help from my local statutory funded drug and alcohol services?
Absolutely. This is free and funded through council tax. Local services will provide an assessment with a keyworker (non-clinical) who is likely to be in recovery themselves. Individual keywork sessions and group work can be offered. In rare cases it may be possible for the keyworker to apply for funding, through the local authority, for placement in a detox unit but this will take a very long time and is only an option where local authorities fund placements. Budgets are extremely tight and waiting lists very long.
Apart from a medically supervised detox, how will rehab help me?
The medical input, while essential, is only a small part of the process. A 12 step, SMART, or STRENGTH group therapy process will enable a someone to develop a mental toolkit to avoid relapse after treatment completion
How quickly can admission be arranged?
If it is early enough in the day then, sometimes, same day admission can be arranged