Unprotected Sex / Drug Use

drug use

Fucking without condoms with casual partners puts you at a high risk of getting or passing on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Using recreational drugs before or during unprotected anal sex with casual partners can increase the risk even further. This section explains why.

Unsafe sex

Using recreational drugs can lower your inhibitions and make it more likely you will take risks with your sexual health than you otherwise would.

If you are going to be in a situation where drugs and sex are likely to be available, having a safe sex strategy beforehand will make it easier to stay safe when the time comes. Carry condoms, lube, dams and gloves with you and let your sex partners know you intend to use them. Keep some spares handy.

Sometimes the hardest time to maintain your safe sex strategy is during periods of coming down,

so keeping condoms handy at all times throughout the party experience is important.

If someone tells you they are HIV negative it may not be true, even if they believe it. There are many men around who assume they are HIV-negative because:

If you realise that things are getting hot and you don't have any condoms handy, ask him or anyone else for some.

Some men use recreational drugs such as crystal during sex because the drugs enable them to do things they otherwise wouldn't physically be able to manage, such as being fisted or fucked, especially for long periods of time, and or with lots of guys.

While drugs can sometimes help reduce psychological inhibitions and help the body physically relax, they can also prevent you from being aware if physical harm is being done to your body.

If you are going to use drugs during sex, be aware of their effect on your libido. Use condoms and check and change them regularly if you are fucking for prolonged periods.

Overdose

With drugs such as GBH it is particularly difficult to know how strong any given batch is going to be. Too much GBH can cause coma and death in a very short space of time. If you are going to take drugs it is important to take small amounts,

to give them enough time to take effect and to be aware that the drug itself may be increasing your desire to take more. It is also a good idea to let your partner(s) know what you are on.

For more information about the safer use and side effects of other recreational drugs go to www.afao.org.au/parties/.

Risk of HIV or hepatitis C transmission through injecting equipment

If you are planning to take drugs with a sexual partner (or anyone else) it is important not to share injecting equipment as this is one of the easiest ways for HIV or hepatitis C to pass from one person to another. Always use a clean fit each time you inject.

Recreational drugs and HIV-positive men

Taking recreational or illicit drugs with HIV antiviral drugs can be dangerous. The effects are unpredictable, but are influenced by a few variables, including:

  • the level of anti-HIV drugs in your bloodstream (the time at which you took the last dose);
  • how your liver breaks down certain drugs (there is no way of measuring this);
  • the potency, purity and amount of other drugs you take.

To be perfectly safe, you should never combine illicit drugs with prescribed HIV medications. However, the following measures may reduce the risk of interactions.

  • Reduce the amount of any illicit drug you take. Take only a quarter to one third of the amount you might otherwise take.
  • Discuss any illicit drugs you use or plan to use with a doctor you can trust.
  • Try not to take other drugs at exactly the same time as your HIV antiviral medication. Taking your drugs a little while apart could reduce the chance of interactions, but it won't necessarily prevent it.
  • Always have plenty of water at hand to prevent dehydration. You should drink roughly 600 mls, or just a little more than half a litre of water, per hour.

For information about specific HIV drugs and recreational drugs see: www.afao.org.au/parties/ .

Drugs and erections

While many men use drugs to enhance sex, many also find that these drugs (e.g. crystal, speed, ecstasy, marijuana, cocaine) affect their ability to get or maintain an erection. When this makes condom use difficult or impossible there is the obvious temptation to fuck without them, putting sexual health at risk, especially if drugs are impairing your decision-making.

Many men report that the same drugs that make them lose their erections nonetheless make them feel extremely horny. As a result, men who usually top can become very hungry bottoms. Having multiple partners or being fucked for long periods makes using condoms even more important.

Viagra and drugs

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the use of Viagra by gay men to counteract the effects of drug-use on their erections is increasing. While this drug is safe, with relatively few side effects, it should be noted that Viagra and amyl nitrate can dangerously interact with each other if taken together, and can result in potentially fatal consequences. Viagra may also be dangerous when used in conjunction with HIV treatment, particularly protease inhibitors. Talk to your HIV specialist to find out more about HIV drug interactions.