The future of drugs: recreational drug use and sexual health among gay and other men who have sex with men

Abstract

Abstract. There are complex historical connections between sexual minoritisation and desires to chemically alter bodily experience. For gay men, drug and alcohol use can be a creative or experimental response to social marginalisation -and not necessarily a problematic one in every instance. Numerous studies have found that infection with HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) is more likely among gay and men who have sex with men (MSM) who use recreational drugs than those who do not, but the causal nature of these relations is uncertain. Sexualised drug use is associated with a range of other problems, including dependence, mental health issues, accident and overdose. A growing body of work in the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) field demonstrates the action of drugs and their purported effects to be a product of their relations with various other actors, contexts and practices. Given these contingencies, it is impossible to predict the future of drugs or their effect on the sexual health of gay and MSM with any degree of certainty. This article outlines some of the conditions most likely to mediate such futures in the medium term. Public funding for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer drug issues should not remain restricted to questions of HIV prevention and sexual health. It should be expanded to equip sexual health and AOD service providers with the cultural and sexual literacy to mitigate stigma and allow them to respond constructively to drug problems among sexual and gender minorities as a matter of priority.

Sexual addiction in drug addicts: The impact of drug of choice and poly-addiction

“…For instance, dance clubs and circuit parties are environments where the use of multiple substances and the seeking of new sexual partners are common behaviors, possibly eliciting a mutually reinforcing pattern. 34 Contextual factors might also have a role in the association between severity of drug addiction and increased sexual activity. Heavy substance users might be more vulnerable to the exchange of sex for money or drugs while craving drugs, resulting in a higher number of sexual partners.…”

2020, sexually transmissible infections and HIV in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men

“…19 As so many others before them, Race et al argue that harm will be reduced if governments decriminalise the use and possession of illicit drugs. 19 …”

“…Race et al point out that drawing a ‘causal’ link between the two is challenging given the complexity of the issue and the fact that drug use among men who have sex with men (MSM) is not always problematic. 19 Race et al provide clues to possible solutions, such as reducing stigma against GBM, because stigma results in social isolation that may facilitate problematic drug use. 19 As so many others before them, Race et al argue that harm will be reduced if governments decriminalise the use and possession of illicit drugs.…”

“…19 Race et al provide clues to possible solutions, such as reducing stigma against GBM, because stigma results in social isolation that may facilitate problematic drug use. 19 As so many others before them, Race et al argue that harm will be reduced if governments decriminalise the use and possession of illicit drugs. 19 …”

Harmless? A hierarchical analysis of poppers use correlates among young gay and bisexual men

“…Poppers have historically been described as a part of the wider gay culture . A 2018 interim decision by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to amend Australia's Poisons Standard by rescheduling poppers from Schedule 4 (Prescription Only) to Schedule 9 (Prohibited Substance) was met with strong resistance from the community, calling the decision an attack or war on gay and bisexual men and their community .…”