Information, not medical advice. This page is general harm-reduction information to help you stay safer and find support — it isn't medical advice or an endorsement of drug use. Details can change; check the linked service before relying on it. In a medical emergency call 112 or 999.
A no-judgement starting point
People use alcohol and drugs for all sorts of reasons — to relax, to connect, to feel confident, to have great sex. For many it stays manageable; for some it starts to cost more than it gives. Neither makes you a good or bad person. The point of this page isn't to lecture, it's to help you stay safer and to show you where support is if and when you want it. You don't have to hit a crisis, and you don't have to want to quit, to talk to someone.
What is chemsex?
"Chemsex" usually means using certain drugs to start, enhance or prolong sex, most often among gay and bisexual men. The three most associated with it are crystal meth ("Tina"), mephedrone ("meow") and GHB/GBL ("G"). Some people also inject — known as "slamming" or "slamsex" — which carries added risks around overdose and blood-borne viruses like HIV and hepatitis C. Chems can lower inhibitions and awareness, which can make consent, boundaries and safer-sex decisions harder to hold onto.
Staying safer — harm reduction
If you do use, a few principles reduce the risk:
- Know your substances and start low. Strength varies a lot between batches, and effects can be delayed — wait before re-dosing.
- Don't use alone. Tell someone what you've taken and when; agree to check in on each other.
- Look after sexual health too. Have condoms, lube and your own kit; consider PrEP to prevent HIV, and never share injecting equipment.
- Plan for the comedown. Have food, water, somewhere safe to rest, and a gap before work or responsibilities.
G (GHB/GBL) is the highest-risk part of chemsex. The gap between a dose that works and a dangerous one is small, GBL is stronger than GHB, and mixing G with alcohol or other depressants can cause overdose, coma or death. Always time and space your doses (use a timer), never re-dose because "it hasn't hit yet", and never mix with alcohol. If someone can't be roused, is unconscious or fitting, call 112/999 immediately, put them in the recovery position, stay with them, and tell paramedics exactly what was taken — you won't get in trouble for getting help. Carrying a "G card" (from the Gay Men's Health Service or HIV Ireland) helps medics treat you fast.
Where to get support
All of these are confidential and used to working with LGBTQ+ people. You can reach out for information, harm-reduction advice, counselling, or help to cut down or stop — whatever stage you're at.
See also Talk to someone & crisis support, Anxiety, low mood & loneliness, and our HIV testing & U=U guide.
Still need a hand? Our team is here. In an emergency, contact local services first.
Contact us →