Meth gay men
Crystal meth and London gay men – examining the evidence
Last month the medical journal The Lancet published a news feature, depicting an increasing number of London male lover men who grab methamphetamine (crystal meth), including a significant number who inject it, often at 'chill-outs' and sex parties. There are concerns that utilize of the drug is associated with unprotected sex, multiple partners and needle sharing, leading to transmission of HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted infections.
Concern about the drug is hardly new – it has been an issue in US gay communities since the 1990s. There have been anecdotal reports of exploit by UK queer men in recent years, with the issue being thoroughly examined by HIV treatment update three years ago.
And, more recently, some include linked alcohol and drug use to the unchanged rate of new HIV infections in UK gay men over the past decade, although there are no data that could support or refute such a claim.
Glossary
odds ratio (OR)
Comparing one group with another, expresses differences in the odds of something happening. An odds ratio above 1 means something is more likely to occur in the organization of interest; an odds rati
Understanding Chemsex
Gay culture is as varied as the people in it. However, some stereotypes have stuck around for a reason — they contain a grain of truth. For example, bars and clubs have always been important parts of gay society since they are historically the only places where it was possible to meet and mingle with other gender non-conforming people. The same-sex attracted bar scene can be a lot of fun. It also has a dark side, where unhealthy relationships with substance use can lead to problems, including addiction.
The combination of sex and substances, known as “chemsex,” is recognized in our customs. It can be a glass of wine before a romantic evening or a shared mutual to “get in the mood.” In gay culture, the combination of sex and methamphetamines (as well as poppers, which are inhalant forms of unlike kinds of nitrites), is a usual form of chemsex.
More About Methamphetamine Use
Methamphetamine, also called “Tina,” is a substance that can enclose chemicals like rubbing alcohol and lye. People smoke, inject or snort meth. Some of the common signs of meth use are sweating, enlarged pupils, extremely fast pulse, dizziness, racing thoughts and talkativeness. People who use meth may
Substance use treatment effective in helping men reduce their use of crystal meth
Any substance use treatment is better than none when it comes to reducing how often lgbtq+ and bisexual men employ methamphetamine (crystal meth), a study from Los Angeles has found. This study’s findings emphasise the importance of harm reduction over an abstinence-only approach to managing methamphetamine use.
Background
Regular employ of methamphetamine (crystal meth) over an extended period has been linked to numerous physical and mental health challenges, including heart disease, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, anxiety, paranoia, and the exposure of death from overdose. While both methamphetamine apply and overdose deaths acquire generally increased among Americans recently, gay and attracted to both genders men – especially those living with HIV – report even more exploit of methamphetamine, often accompanying sex. Use is linked to poorer HIV treatment outcomes, likely due to poor treatment adherence, increased inflammation, and possible increased viral replication.
Ongoing methamphetamine employ may include periods of heavy use, abstinence, and relapse. Among gay and bisexual men, use can be split into those wh
HIV Diagnosis Linked to Higher Uncertainty of Meth Use in Queer and Bisexual Men
People assigned male at birth who belong to a sexual or gender minority group were twice as likely to use methamphetamine following an HIV diagnosis, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Methamphetamine use has been a concern for gay and multi-attracted men for decades, said Brian Mustanski, PhD, the study’s head author and director of the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGMH) and the Third Coast Center for AIDS Research.
“What we’re really trying to understand is the epidemiology of HIV, substance exploit and co-occurring mental health issues and also the risk and protective factors that help us understand why some young men develop these interconnected health issues more than others,” said Mustanski, who is also a professor of Medical Social Sciences.
Because previous research has shown a link between lowered dopamine signaling in HIV and the potential for substance use, Mustanski and his collaborators set out to probe the connection further.
“People living with HIV have elevated systemic inflammation compared to p