The psychological roots of chemsex and how understanding the full picture can help create meaningful support
“We are all flawed, and we all struggle.” This article explores the human side of chemsex and investigates further into desire, pleasure, and intimacy. The analysis is drawn from years of psychotherapy work with gay, bi, men who have sex with men (GBMSM). While clients may have their issues, many of their themes are familiar to each client. The article explores how to lay aside the negative impacts, adopt a sex-positive approach and analyze the need for human connection and belonging.
The provider perception inventory: Psychometrics of a scale designed to measure provider stigma about HIV, substance abuse, and MSM behavior
This research discusses the perceptions, attitudes, beliefs of healthcare providers that impact the stigma for the MSM population. A provider perception inventory (PPI) of 39-item scale has been developed to explore healthcare providers’ stigma toward HIV, substance use and MSM behaviour.
Current Research on Methamphetamine: Epidemiology, Medical and Psychiatric Effects, Treatment, and Harm Reduction Efforts
Methamphetamine is widely used and has a high prevalence of use and abuse. The heavy use and high dose of methamphetamine used results in neurobiological deficiencies, which cause negative health outcomes. It is administered via intranasal, smoking, oral, and injected. Methamphetamine use has implications for psychiatric care, dental, medical, and STBBIs. The research explores the efficacy of various treatments for methamphetamine addictions.
Interventions to address substance use and sexual risk among gay, bisexual, men who have sex with men who use methamphetamine: A systematic review.
Methamphetamine use is common in some subcultures of the gay, bi, men who have sex with men (GBMSM) communities. The review explored types of interventions for methamphetamine and sex-related harm for GBMSM. There are three categories of interventions highlighted. Of the three interventions, psychosocial interventions are the most promising for meth and sexual risk-taking.
Goodyear, T., Numer, M., Coulaud, P.J., Mniszak, C., Schwartz, C. (2019). What’s the T on PnP. Queering Healthcare Access and Accessibility
At the summit on Queering Healthcare Access and Accessibility, the panel of researchers answers the questions on substance use, consent at Party and Play, and policy implications. The questions are on contamination of popper (amyl nitrite), the ability to give consent when using drugs, and the steps to move drug use into a health perspective and drug use policy.
Gavin Bejaimal presents on Exploring Satisfaction Among Guys who Party and Play. The Investigators: Addressing Queer & Trans Knowledge Gaps Through Community Based Research
In this presentation, Gavin provides an overview of the history of gay, bi, men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and their relationship with substance use. The research question for this presentation was, “Do gay guys who engage in PnP (chemsex) feel more satisfied with the community than guys who do not?”
Harm Reduction Practices and Needs in a Belgian Chemsex Context: Finding from a Qualitative Study
This qualitative research is to understand the harm reduction practices and health care needs of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who engage in chemsex. 20 participants were provided semi-structured interview questions and open-ended questions. The research concluded two groups of chemsex users, planned users, and impulsive users. The planned users had a personal strategy to take care of themselves, while the other group did not. Participants discussed best practices for treatment facilities and sexual health clinics on knowledge exchange.
Social Exclusion, Resilience and Social Worker Preparedness: Providing Services to Gay and Bisexual Men Who Party-N-Play
In this article researchers synthesize findings from a qualitative study exploring social exclusion and resilience discourses amongst gay and bisexual men in Toronto. In turn, the researchers outline recommendations for social workers, psychologists and counselors to work toward curating more validating and supportive environments for gay and bisexual men who PnP.
New Psychoactive Substances: New Service Provider Challenges
This article is most relevant for policy makers, researchers, public health officials and providers working in the substance use sector. The article identifies shortcomings and next steps for service provision in light of findings from a qualitative study with men who have sex with men (MSM) who PnP and service providers who work alongside these MSM in Manchester, UK.
Digital Chemsex Support and Care: The Potential of Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions
This highly practical article and pilot intervention is applicable for all service providers working with gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who PnP and outlines a just-in-time adaptive (JITAI) intervention that providers can introduce in their practices to provide static information and dynamic support, best attending to the ongoing needs of their clients beyond engagements in the care setting.
Safer Chemsex: GPs’ Role in Harm Reduction for Emerging Forms of Recreational Drug Use
In reflecting on existing practices and service models, this article argues for the feasibility of introducing considerations for substance use when interacting with men who have sex with men (MSM) during service engagements, in turn, broadening the scope of a provider’s assessment and increasing the reach of harm reduction and support services.
Links SU-Sex: Development of a Screening Tool for Health-Risk Sexual Behaviours Related to Substance Use Among Men Who Have Sex with Men
This highly practical screening tool, Links SU-Sex captures PnP broadly, and can be introduced in practice to better understand the experiences, perceptions and goals of men who have sex with men (MSM) who PnP. The measure was developed in Montreal, Quebec, and contains 24-64 items surrounding substance use, sexual health and mental health, and is most relevant for clinicians, such as those working in the substance use or mental health sector.
A Blueprint Guide to Supporting Black and Latino MSM Who Use Crystal Meth
Representing an intersectional approach to care, this practical guide is tailored towards all service providers who work with Black and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) who PnP and reflects findings from a community provider assessment and conversations with Black and Latino MSM who PnP from across the United States.