Chemsex Rehab
Chemsex can be a hard addiction to break. The drugs involved in chemsex are dangerous and tend to hook users quickly. Sex tends to be an enjoyable experience, and adding medications to the mix can elevate the pleasure, but it comes with scary risks. Stopping drug use can be challenging on your own. Withdrawal symptoms can be pretty severe and complex to navigate alone. When things reach a certain point, rehab can help.
What is Chemsex?
When people participate in sexual activity while under the influence and use drugs primarily to enhance their sexual experience, that’s chemsex. Those who partake in chemsex use drugs as a part of sex. It is most common among gay and bisexual men.
The common drugs or “chems” used are meth, mephedrone, GHB, and GBL. Both meth and mephedrone are stimulants, and GHB and GBL are sedatives. Chemsex drugs are used to extend the length of time in sexual activity. They are used to increase sexual pleasure and lower inhibitions. These drugs increase confidence and can lead to feelings of euphoria, but there are many unpleasant effects, too.
Chemsex effects may include:
- Sexual dysfunction
- Poor decision making
- Abnormal heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Difficulty sleeping or settling down
- Impulsiveness
- Unsafe sex
Is Chemsex Safe?
While there are safer ways to partake in chemsex, it’s not necessarily safe no matter what you change. Chemsex will impact people differently as people are unique and deal with their own risks. Chemsex can negatively impact physical health and mental health. The heart and brain can both be harmed by drug use. For some, this increases the risk of anxiety and depression.
Many people become dependent on these drugs, which can suck the joy out of an experience that’s supposed to be enjoyable for each party and lead to withdrawal symptoms down the line. Those who use meth or mephedrone for chemsex may use the method of injection. This increases the risk of infections and blood-borne viruses like HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B.
When under the influence, it’s also a lot easier to make unsafe choices in the bedroom. While using drugs, one may decide not to use a condom when they usually would or forget entirely. This increases the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Drugs can also lead to rougher sex than usual and cause bleeding and pains.
Consent also comes into play. When drugs and alcohol are used, it becomes more challenging to consent. People obviously can’t consent if they are unconscious or sleeping, but this is true if they’re not all there at the moment as well. People can withdraw consent at any time, and it’s important to respect that. It’s just harder to make positive choices overall while under the influence.
What is Chemsex Rehab?
Chemsex is challenging to stop partaking in once you get used to it. The fear of judgment and what people will say after admitting to this problem is a big part. Rehab can make a big difference in cutting out chemsex. Recovering from chemsex is possible, and it will add natural pleasure back into your life.
Chemsex rehab typically involves a medically supervised detox. This is important to cut out drugs safely and eliminate toxins remaining in the body. This process may involve a prescribed medication to decrease symptoms of withdrawal. After the detox process, therapy will begin. Therapy helps process and treat chemsex addiction.
Finding a safe and affirming place makes all the difference in a person’s recovery journey from chemsex. Receiving care without fear of judgment or discrimination allows individuals to focus on improving. If you or a loved one is a gay meth victim and in need of specialized care from an educated staff, we’ve got you covered. LGBTQ residential treatment might be just the thing for you. Start your journey toward a healthier life and call Pride Detox at 1-562-564-6915 today.
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