Recreational Drugs and Sex ·
Recreational drugs and safer sex
Taking drugs may lower your inhibitions: indeed, that’s why people take them! However, this can sometimes mean that you might do things sexually that you otherwise wouldn,t do. If you are under the influence of drugs, you may find it harder to negotiate safer sex, ask for what you want and refuse things that you don’t want, which could leave you and/or others vulnerable to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Drugs and clubs can dehydrate you, so using lots of lube with condoms or for fisting is really important, as it will help reduce the risk of the condom breaking and/or the anus tearing, both of which could leave you or others more at risk of HIV.
Drug-assisted sexual assault/rape
There are a number of drugs that have been used in drug assisted sexual assaults/rapes, including GHB (liquid ecstasy), ketamine and Rohypnol. These drugs are normally slipped into a person’s drink and, because some of these drugs have no taste or odour, you might not be able detect them.
Signs that this may have happened include:
- a hypnotic feeling – you may be very open to suggestion and behave out of character
- feel a lot drunker than you would for the amount of alcohol you have drunk
- numb lips and/or tongue
- drowsiness, dizziness, visual disturbances.
Practical steps to avoid being drugged include:
- not leaving your drink unattended
- covering your drink when standing with it
- not swapping or sharing drinks
- throwing away any drinks you think have been tampered with, either because they taste different or have been topped up
- letting a friend know where you are going if you are thinking of going home with someone
- seeking help if you feel drunk when you shouldn’t.
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