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The UK’s only LGBT Substance Misuse Service 10 year history serving the Substance Use needs of London’s LGBTQ community 8,000 contacts, 700+ people in treatment each year. “ Tina ”. “Club Drugs” are Problematic Drugs. Our scene highly sexualised.
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The UK’s only LGBT Substance Misuse Service 10 year history serving the Substance Use needs of London’s LGBTQ community 8,000 contacts, 700+ people in treatment each year
“Tina” “Club Drugs” are Problematic Drugs
Our scene highly sexualised
72 hour clubbing, sex-on-premises venues, On-line hook-ups, Crystal sex parties…
Shame around sex, intimacy anxiety, internalised homophobia Sexual SHAME
Crystal Methamphetamine, Crystal, Tina. • 3, 4 + day “benders” of speedy, unboundaried chaotic sexual marathons. • Effects managed with GBL use. • Repetitive GUM presentations. • Increased HIV/Hep C infections. • Drug-induced psychosis very common. • High likelihood of psychological dependence.
2 Distinct Issues Toxicity/Overdose Dependency/
Overdosing in clubs/saunas/ sex-parties. Large numbers of people forming dangerous addictions, using hourly every day, just to avoid unmanageable and dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
HOW dependence begins, progresses Used to sleep after a big weekend of continual use, leading to.. using to manage the comedown during the week, leading to.. using to aid sleep at bedtime, leading to.. using for any stress or discomfort, leading to.. regular use/dependence
“Keyworking” tools • Identifying “Contemplation” or “Action” • Setting Goals • Recognising Triggers • (Places, situations, people, emotional states, stress, sexual arousal..) • List of Pro’s and Con’s • Managing Cravings • Recognise and anticipate triggers/associated situations • Acupuncture, breathing, meditation • Remove yourself from situation “Time Out” • Delay, Distract, Decide
MORE TOOLS • Make a list • Saying “no” confidently/setting boundaries • Anticipating certain invitations/situations • Encouraging other interests • Communication skills. • Honesty/support from appropriate friends/family • Harm Reduction • Referrals • Listening is Support
STATS Of the Crystal Meth, GBL and Mephedrone users at Antidote; • 95% are using to facilitate sex • 80% are injecting (Meth and Meph) • 70% report having shared needles to inject (Meth and Meph) • Prefer to use “Bareback” sites to find sexual partners • Report an average of 5 sexual partners per “episode” 75% are HIV positive; of these, • 60% report being non-compliant with ARV’s while “high” • 90% attribute their diagnosis to the use of drugs and alcohol Of the HIV Negative clients, more than half have had one or more courses of PEP in the last year
Thank you for listening. Questions, discussion…