Sharpen the focus on chemsex

Cora von Hammerstein; Joël Billieux

doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107910

Sharpen the focus on chemsex

Addict Behav. 2024 Feb:149:107910. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107910. Epub 2023 Nov 13.

Authors

Cora von Hammerstein¹, Joël Billieux²

Affiliations

¹ Inserm UMR-S 1144, Université de Paris, Paris, France.; Departement of addictology René-Muret hospital (APHP), Paris, France.
² Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Centre for Excessive Gambling, Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospitals (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: joel.billieux@unil.ch.

PMID: 37972423
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107910

Abstract

Chemsex is the intentional use of substances in sexualized settings among men who have sex with men. An increasing public health issue, chemsex has estimated prevalence rates of 3% to 29% in men who have sex with men. Known risks of chemsex include higher exposure to HIV and other STIs, addiction, and cardiovascular problems. Recent research has also shown that chemsexers are prone to depression, anxiety, psychotic experiences, and cognitive impairment. Our commentary highlights the discrepancy between the public health burden associated with risky chemsex practices and the research gap in this domain. We warn against the simplistic application to chemsex of existing theoretical concepts or therapeutic strategies that work for addictions and at-risk sexual behaviours. Such an approach neglects the unique features of this emerging phenomenon, which mainly affects stigmatized minorities.

Keywords: Chemsex; Harm reduction; Men who have sex with men.

MeSH terms

HIV Infections* / epidemiology
Homosexuality, Male
Humans
Male
Risk-Taking
Sexual Behavior
Sexual and Gender Minorities*
Sexually Transmitted Diseases* / epidemiology
Substance-Related Disorders* / psychology