Transcript David Stuart, LGBT communities and Club Drugs

The UK’s only LGBT Substance Misuse Service
10 year history serving the Substance Use needs of
London’s LGBTQ community
8,000 contacts, 700+ people in treatment each year
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“Club Drugs” are Problematic Drugs
Our scene
highly
sexualised
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Normalised Drug/Alcohol use
on our Bar and Club Scene
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From “Huggy” to Hardcore”
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72 hour
clubbing,
sex-onpremises
venues,
On-line hookups,
Crystal sex
parties…
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24 HOUR SAUNAS…
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The popularity of BareBacking
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Shame around sex, intimacy anxiety,
internalised homophobia
Crystal Methamphetamine, Crystal, Tina.
• 3, 4 + day “benders” of speedy, unboundaried chaotic
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sexual marathons.
Effects managed with GBL use.
Repetitive GUM presentations.
Increased HIV/Hep C infections.
Drug-induced psychosis very common.
High likelihood of psychological dependence.
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MANY more people now injecting..
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2 Distinct Issues
Toxicity/Overdose
Dependency/
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Overdosing in
clubs/saunas/ sexparties.
Large numbers of
people
forming dangerous
addictions, using
hourly every day, just
to avoid
unmanageable and
dangerous withdrawal
symptoms.
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HOW dependence begins,
progresses
Used to sleep after a big weekend of continual
use,
leading to..
using to manage the comedown during the week,
leading to..
using to aid sleep at bedtime,
leading to..
using for any stress or discomfort,
leading to..
regular use/dependence
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“Keyworking” tools
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Identifying “Contemplation” or “Action”
Setting Goals
Recognising Triggers
(Places, situations, people, emotional states,
stress, sexual arousal..)
List of Pro’s and Con’s
Managing Cravings
Recognise and anticipate triggers/associated
situations
Acupuncture, breathing, meditation
Remove yourself from situation “Time Out”
Delay, Distract, Decide
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MORE TOOLS
• Make a list
• Saying “no” confidently/setting boundaries
• Anticipating certain invitations/situations
• Encouraging other interests
• Communication skills.
• Honesty/support from appropriate
friends/family
• Harm Reduction
• Referrals
• Listening is Support
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2005
2011
Crystal Meth
0%
39%
GHB GBL
3.2%
27%
0%
14%
8%
63%
Mephedrone
Referrals from GUM
clinics, A&E or
statutory drug
services
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STATS
Of the Crystal Meth, GBL and Mephedrone users at Antidote;
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95% are using to facilitate sex
80% are injecting (Meth and Meph)
70% report having shared needles to inject (Meth and Meph)
Prefer to use “Bareback” sites to find sexual partners
Report an average of 5 sexual partners per “episode”
75% are HIV positive; of these,
• 60% report being non-compliant with ARV’s while “high”
• 90% attribute their diagnosis to the use of drugs and alcohol
Of the HIV Negative clients, more than half have had
one or more courses of PEP in the last year
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Domestic Violence
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Thank you for
listening.
Questions,
discussion…
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