Sex and drugs
You might like having sex on drugs (PnP, party and play, extended play, slamming, chemsex, etc.).
Maybe you like drugs because they help you feel raunchier or less shy, extend your turn-on, or increase the intensity of your orgasm.
Fucking while on drugs can for sure provide great sensations in the moment. Drugs affect your perception of reality. The down side is that under the effect of drugs, you might misjudge the risk of HIV infection. You might go past your limits, or not feel pain. If PnP leads you to try out harder action, the mucus membranes of your anus might get damaged without you noticing. Damaged anal mucus membranes provide a doorway for HIV and other STBBIs to enter or exit your body. A good way to protect your ass is to use A LOT of lubricant.
For a safer chemsex plan:
- Inform yourself ahead of time about drugs and their effects, including mixing.
- Plan the amount of each drug you want to take so you can reduce your risk of a bad trip or overdose.
- Bring your own equipment (needles, straws, pipes, filters, etc.) and don’t share them.
- If you’re going to an extended-play party for the first time, go with a friend.
- Take the time to think about your desires, your limits, and the strategies you want to use in the moment. Don’t forget that drugs may affect your judgement.
- Bring enough condoms and lube or make sure you’ve taken your doses of PrEP or HIV medication.
- If you don’t use condoms or PrEP, plan to use other risk reduction strategies.
- If you’re into fisting, bring enough gloves and lube.
- Change condoms or gloves every time you change holes, and bring a different container of lube for each partner.
- For your overall health, hydrate and urinate regularly, and remember to eat once in a while.
You can also check out the pamphlet Conseil santé pour un Sex Party, created by the Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal (Montréal’s public health authority) in partnership with RÉZO and ACCM (in French only).
PrEP is strongly recommended in this context, because you can take it before starting to trip. You’ll also need to take it during the trip, depending on how long it lasts. If it’s taken as prescribed, PrEP is a highly effective method for preventing HIV, but it doesn’t protect you against hepatitis or other STBBIs.
Depending on what drugs you take, how you mix them, and how often you use, your drug use might affect your body and your mood, or damage your social or professional life. If you’re worried about your drug use, there are resources and people who can help you without judging you and without forcing you to stop using.
Consult this map to find the community organization closest to you.c
Are you living with HIV?
Prepare your doses of HIV medication ahead of time and find a way to remind yourself to take them, such as an alarm on your phone. Drugs and anti-HIV medications can interact in a variety of ways. These interactions haven’t been proven by scientific studies, but they are documented by reliable sources on HIV. Wait at least 30 minutes after taking your HIV medication before taking drugs. Take a small quantity of drugs at first so you can gradually get used to the intensity of the effects. If you have questions about interactions, talk about it with your pharmacist or doctor.
Hepatitis C
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be sexually transmitted among men who have sex with men. According to the available data, it seems that transmission can take place when small, invisible quantities of blood are present. The risk goes up during prolonged hard sex (fisting, sex toys, rough penetration without a condom). Cases of HCV transmission may also occur when people share containers of lube between more than one bottom (receptive or passive guys). The analysis of data from numerous studies suggests that HIV-positive gay men are at higher risk of contracting HCV than HIV-negative men.
Hepatitis C is transmitted by means of injection equipment and equipment for smoking and sniffing. Don’t share your works. Don’t use anyone else’s equipment. Don’t reuse syringes.
Crystal meth (Tina, Ice, T)
Do you go on long trips with Tina, or do you want to try? It’s important to know that this drug is very powerful, and can affect your judgement in a way that’s totally different from other drugs. Tripping on Tina often means you’ll be ready to try things you wouldn’t otherwise have done. For example, on crystal, a top might want to get fucked. Others will absolutely want to get fisted or pissed on. In short, methamphetamine makes people push past their limits in ways they’ve never done before.
Knowing this, why not prepare for the unexpected? If you get fucked by several guys, what will your strategies be for reducing your risk of infection? Before you get started, get all the things you need that might help you reduce your risk of becoming infected with HIV and other STBBIs: condoms, latex or polyurethane gloves, lube, grease, injection kits and so on. You can order a sex kit tailored to your practices from Kontak, a project by ACCM. PrEP might work well for your sex parties. Get informed and talk about it with your doctor.
Check out the pamphlet Conseil santé pour un Sex Party from the Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal, created in partnership with RÉZO and ACCM (in French only).
The risk of addiction is high for this drug, and the down after taking it (paranoia, anxiety, depression, irritability and so on) can be especially hard to go through.
Learn more
- Consult:
- The pamphlet Conseil santé pour un Sex Party from the Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal, created in partnership with RÉZO and ACCM.
- Visit MyBuzz, a tool that can help you get a snapshot of your alcohol and drug use, and possible links with your sexuality.