Alcohol, sex and drugs...good or a bad thing

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Dive into the World of Chemsex: Sex, Drugs, and Alcohol

Chemsex, an increasingly common term, refers to a sexual practice that combines the use of drugs and sexual activities. This emerging trend has sparked numerous debates and questions within society. The consumption of alcohol has also long been associated with sexual activities and intimate encounters.

Origins of Chemsex:

Chemsex finds its roots in the 1990s in London, where it emerged within the gay communities. It was initially used as a means to overcome inhibitions, prolong sexual activity, and create more intense experiences. Over time, the phenomenon spread to other major cities around the world and affected people of various sexual orientations.

The drugs most commonly associated with chemsex are methamphetamine (crystal meth), mephedrone (meow meow), cocaine, and synthetic drugs such as GHB and GBL. These substances can increase libido, reduce inhibitions, and prolong sexual endurance. However, it is important to emphasize that the use of these drugs carries significant risks to physical and mental health. People also frequently use alcohol to loosen up in their sexuality, even with long-term partners.

It is not uncommon for couples in therapy to complain that they only engage in sexual activities under the influence of substances that allow them to overcome fears, insecurities, and inhibitions.

Impacts associated with consumption:

This allows partners to experience sexual encounters that go beyond the ordinary. Sensations are heightened, and it becomes easier to let go and be more uninhibited. Routine can be a desire killer, and consumption helps break away from the work, commute, mundane sex, and sleep cycle. Sometimes, we engage in sexual practices that we would never dare to without the disinhibition that comes with substance use. This lightness can help regain a sex life that may have been lost in the longevity of a relationship.

However, be cautious…

Chemsex poses significant health risks, as the substances used can lead to addiction, physical health deterioration, cardiovascular problems, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and increased risks of risky sexual behaviors. Moreover, excessive drug use can lead to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders.

Couples sometimes become dependent not necessarily on the substance itself but on the sexuality that accompanies it. Unable to physically reproduce what the substance provides or sometimes psychologically, sexuality without consumption becomes uninteresting. It can even become anxiety-inducing and unsettling. It is important for sexuality under consumption to be a form of sexual exploration but not become the new routine that kills your desire!

Questions to reflect on:

• Do I need to consume substances to have sexual desire?
• Does the substance provide me with a psychological state that I cannot achieve without it?
• Are my partner and I on the same page regarding our consumption and sexuality?
• Is the consumption masking any underlying relational or sexual issues that I do not want to address?
• Have I tried other types of sexuality without consumption to improve and increase our sexual satisfaction?
• What impacts can I identify from my consumption on my sexuality?

Frank Renaud, M.A.

sexologist psychotherapist

Specialized in couple’s therapy