2023-06-11 12:31:40
Drug use with sexuality is intrinsically linked to communities that are marginalized, who may have internalized homophobia, shame
he said first to set the scene. The drug allows us to remove shame, taboos, the feeling of rejection, and to explore a sexuality that seems very unbridled, very free.
The problem is that from his first experiences, Eric became addicted to crystal methamphetamine, or crystal metha popular drug among followers of chemsexwhich gave him a feeling of omnipotence.
I felt like the lover I always dreamed of being
he says. I had lots of partners, sex for hours and hours. It’s not at all normal, but it’s intoxicating.
Except that the moments of grace were followed by much darker episodes.
« I didn’t choose to quit, I had no choice, I probably wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t quit. »
The side effects of the drug affected his physical and mental health. He has completely lost track of his social life and his plans. Time and time once more, he tried on his own to break the addiction, but with little success.
Aware that he mightn’t get out of it on his own, Éric ended up finding the courage to overcome the shame to dare to talk regarding it and get help. It took him nine years to turn the page.
Everything that goes up eventually comes down
Others have learned in pain to moderate over time. This is the case of André, who discovered the chemsex at 51 years old. It took him almost 10 years to come to a certain mastery of himself.
André has never been addicted to any substance, but his practice of chemsex overflowed into other spheres of his life, notably into his professional career, despite everything, which flourished.
Like many followers, he indulged in weekend sex marathons. He multiplied the partners, generally met in the saunas of the Gay Village in Montreal.
It’s intense, you become a sex machine
he says. But on Wednesday, you’re depressed, that’s what’s dangerous.
If today he breathes the joy of living, he has been overwhelmed several times by suicidal thoughts, not to mention the panic attacks that led him directly to the emergency room. In an attempt to break this vicious circle, André followed, among other things, four therapies and took part in crystal meth anonymous
. Without success.
« When you reach nirvana, you can no longer return to normal sexuality. »
The crystal meth will raise dopamine up to five times higher than an orgasm
says Marie-Ève Morin, a family physician working in mental health and addiction. The euphoria is increased tenfold, these people reach heights of pleasure.
Except that what goes up eventually comes down
, she continues. And the fall is proportional to the speed of the ascent. The body will exhaust its reserves of dopamine and serotonin, the hormones of pleasure, in a few hours, which explains the depressive state of the following days.
Insofar as it is difficult to detach oneself from this practice, she argues that one of the solutions is to apply harm reduction, that is to say, to minimize the negative consequences linked to consumption.
An option that eventually reached André’s ears and that he now exercises successfully. He now participates in small parties
once or twice a year, while making sure to then have a rest period where he is well supported, in case the descent is painful.
André learned from this experience that it is not always easy to find appropriate resources. He dwells with a feeling to have been misunderstood
because the practice of chemsex is not necessarily well known in the health and social services network.
Marie-Ève Morin of the La Licorne clinic, an organization dedicated to sexual health.
Photo : Radio-Canada
A podcast to break the taboo
Éric and André have agreed to participate in a podcast to break the taboo and raise awareness of the risks of chemsex.
There were few people in the community with experience of chemsex who spoke publicly
says the initiator of the series Chemstory (New window)Olivier Ferlatte, professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Montreal.
His podcast has a dual purpose. The first is to free speech and give virtuous examples of people who have managed to distance themselves from the unfortunate consequences of chemsex.
The second objective is to use the testimonies for scientific purposes, in particular to deepen knowledge on the inconveniences experienced by the followers.
Olivier Ferlatte is a regular researcher at the Center for Public Health Research.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Vincent Rességuier
The participants in the podcast, regarding ten, self-produced their episodes, which gave them great freedom of tone. This method made it possible to access stories and information that were not readily available before.
There are recurring themes, such as the difficulty of accessing services, the taboo and the stigma around the practice, so people find it difficult to share their experience
, explains Olivier Ferlatte. Another cause for concern, he says, is the isolation of followers of the chemsex face their problems, all the more so in the case of drug addiction.
The researcher has just obtained a second grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to continue the series. Eventually, he wants to produce 99 episodes, in the hope that the information collected will improve the management of problematic cases, which remain a minority.
Gilles Lambert, Medical Adviser, Infectious Diseases Team, Montreal Public Health Department
Photo : Radio-Canada / Vincent Rességuier
Chemsex and sexually transmitted infections
The phenomenon is closely followed by the Direction de la santé publique de Montréal, assures Gilles Lambert, medical adviser in the infectious diseases team.
According to a study conducted by his organization with gay, queer and non-binary men, the practice of chemsex is increasing.
In 2017, 22% of people in this community had practiced chemsex over the past six months. In 2022, this proportion has increased to 28%, which represents nearly 10,000 people in the Montreal region.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have also experienced a resurgence. Monkey pox is one of them. Dr. Lambert also notes that followers of chemsex are more likely to contract gonorrhea, syphilis or HIV. It is clear that there is a direct relationship with the risks of transmission
he concludes.
One of the reasons is that the effects of the drug break down the usual barriers, such as wearing a condom or being careful with an unknown partner.
It also monitors the risks associated with the intravenous injection of crystal methamphetamine. The Direction de la santé publique has determined that 8% of followers of the chemsex consume this substance and, among them, 12% do so by injection.
A practice that increases the risk of transmission of STIs, but also the risk of overdose, especially since the products on the market tend to be stronger, often because they are cut with fentanyl.
If you need help with the chemsexyou can visit monbuzz.ca (New window)where you will be directed to resources regarding drugs and their effects on sexuality.
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