Meth and gay men
The use of affordable and potent crystal methamphetamine (meth) is reaching a “crisis point in Canada” and globally, replacing opioids as the drug of preference in some areas.
In media and policy conversations about this drug, one important population is often missed out: Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (herein, referred to as same-sex attracted and queer men).
Used alone or in combination with other substances, the sexualized use of meth is a perform often referred to as “chemsex” or “party n’ play.” It is one of the key drivers of lofty and rising HIV rates and other sexually transmitted infections. And meth exploit can lead to many other negative health outcomes, including depression, anxiety and suicide.
Unfortunately, there are limited options accessible for gay and queer men who want to quit or reduce their meth consumption. Most sexual health-care services do not provide specialized substance employ services. Similarly, conventional substance use services do not think about how a patient’s sexuality or sexual behaviour may relate to their drug use patterns.
My research team at the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use recently published a systematic review offering compelling evide
Crystal meth and London gay men – examining the evidence
Last month the medical journal The Lancet published a news feature, explaining an increasing number of London male lover men who hold methamphetamine (crystal meth), including a significant number who inject it, often at 'chill-outs' and sex parties. There are concerns that exploit 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 operate by UK homosexual men in recent years, with the issue being thoroughly examined by HIV treatment update three years ago.
And, more recently, some contain 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 transpire in the community of interest; an odds rati
HIV Diagnosis Linked to Higher Risk of Meth Utilize in Gay and Bisexual person Men
People assigned male at birth who belong to a sexual or gender minority group were twice as likely to operate methamphetamine following an HIV diagnosis, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Methamphetamine operate has been a interest for gay and multi-attracted men for decades, said Brian Mustanski, PhD, the study’s lead 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 use and co-occurring mental health issues and also the risk and protective factors that help us understand why some adolescent 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 investigate the connection further.
“People living with HIV have elevated systemic inflammation compared to p
Drug addiction: getting help
If you need help for a drug problem, you're entitled to treatment in the same way as anyone else who has a health problem.
There is support available if you want guide and support, or want to cut down or stop.
Where to get help for drugs
A GP may be a good place to start. They can speak your problems with you and help get you into treatment.
They will usually refer you to your local drug service.
If you're not comfortable talking to a GP, you can approach your local drug treatment service yourself.
Visit the Frank website to discover support near you.
If you're having trouble finding the right sort of help, call the Frank drugs helpline on 0300 123 6600. They can talk you through all your options.
Drug treatment
Charities and the NHS provide most drug treatment, but there are also private drug and alcohol treatment organisations that can aid you.
You'll need to pay for private treatment.
Your first appointment
At your first appointment for drug treatment, staff will ask you about your drug use. They'll also ask about your work, family and housing situation.
You may be asked to provide a sample of urine or saliva to ch