Reducing the risks of chemsex
At Sexperterna we work from harm reduction, i.e. harm reduction. This means that everyone has the right to the best possible health, whether they use drugs or not. Drug use and chemsex can pose a range of physical, psychological and social risks, but knowing the risks and what you can do to reduce them will improve your chances of feeling good.
Here are some tips to help you take care of yourself and others, whether you use drugs frequently, occasionally or are just curious.
Get a feel for the day
How are you feeling right now - physically, mentally, emotionally? If you're sad, exhausted, if you've slept badly or just feel out of balance, the rush may hit harder than usual. Are you using to reinforce a positive feeling or to escape from negative emotions? Think about whether it is the right time to use or if it is something else you need right now.
New company? New drug? Take it easy.
Are you being invited to something new - or are you trying out new people? Be extra careful, feel it out and always start with a smaller dose than usual. It's harder to back off than to top up.
The strength may vary
The strength of different batches can vary, even if you received them from the same person as last time. Especially when it comes to GHB, the difference in potency can make the difference between the desired high and an overdose. You can't see the strength with your eyes, so be careful with the dosage. Always start with a smaller dose to get a feel for it before taking more.
Measure up G - never shotta directly
For GHB and GBL, there may be a small difference between the desired dose and overdose. To reduce the risk of overdose, it is best to measure the liquid with a pipette or measuring cap to avoid accidentally taking too much. Never shake directly from the bottle.
Do not share tools
Do you sludge? Always use clean needles and tools such as cups and filters. Otherwise, the risk of transmitting HIV and hepatitis C is high. If snorting, you should use your own straws - sharing can spread hepatitis. Clean needles can be purchased online or picked up for free at needle exchanges, which are now available in almost all regions. Karolinska University Hospital and the Stockholm Addiction Center have produced special brochures for people who inject, which you can read below.
Brochure on safer injection.
Brochure on how to deal with injection injuries and infections.
Lubricants, PrEP and condoms.
Make sure you protect yourself in the best way possible, condoms and PrEP are all good ways to protect yourself against HIV. Condoms also protect against other STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. Lubricants make sex more pleasurable and reduce the risk of injury or breakage. If you engage in fisting, it's a good idea to bring gloves that you can change between partners.
Learn about different drugs and their effects
Different drugs have different effects. Learn about the intoxication, the side effects and what should not be mixed. The more you know, the better choices you can make. Read more about drugs and their effects here.
Keep up to date
It is impossible to be absolutely sure what a drug actually contains. Even if you think you know what you're taking, the mixture may be something completely different - or stronger than you expected. To reduce the risk, it can be useful to keep an eye on drug alerts, for example through user associations or social media where alerts are shared when fentanyl or other dangerous substances are in circulation.
If you have access to fentanyl tests - use them. Some user associations in Sweden offer free test kits so you can check your drugs and avoid ingesting something you did not plan. But remember that no test is 100 % reliable.
Test yourself regularly
If you have chemsex, it is particularly important to get tested regularly for HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and hepatitis C. The risk increases especially if you have had unprotected sex, shared tools or slammed. How often you should get tested depends on how you have sex and how many partners you have. A good rule of thumb is about every 3, 6 or 12 months.
PEP in case of risk of HIV transmission.
If you have been in a situation where there was a high risk of HIV transmission, for example after unprotected anal sex, there is post-exposure protection. PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) can be a 'lifesaver' when things don't go quite as planned. It can reduce the risk of HIV becoming established in the body. It is relatively effective, but not 100% protective. To work, PEP needs to be started as soon as possible, ideally within a few hours and at the latest within 36 hours of a risk situation. The sooner you get the treatment, the better the effect. If you think PEP may be an issue, you should contact your nearest testing center or emergency room as soon as possible. They will assess the situation and decide whether PEP is appropriate for you.
Talk about it
Do you feel worried about yourself or someone else? It may be helpful to talk to someone, a friend who understands or someone in the community. You can also go to your nearest testing center or sexual health clinic and ask to speak to a counselor. If you have questions or concerns about chemsex, you can get support and guidance at the Sexperts' counseling clinic. All calls to the chemsex clinic are free and you can always remain anonymous.
