Some gay guys use alcohol and drugs before and during sex for a variety of reasons. These substances may include:

• Marijuana
• Ecstasy
• Speed
• Special K (ketamine)
• Cocaine
• Crystal meth
• Amyl

Alcohol and other drugs can make you more relaxed and self-confident, especially when you’re having sex. Some drugs can give you extra energy, and enhance sexual pleasure. Having sex when you’re out of it can make the need to ‘get off’ even more urgent than usual.

This sense of urgency can sometimes make us forget our usual boundaries, and can lead to unsafe sex. Being ‘out of it’ on alcohol or other drugs can affect the
decisions we make and the risks we take when we’re having sex. Some drugs can numb us to feelings of physical pain that we may not usually be able to cope with. This might cause damage to our bodies without us realising it at the time. Hard fucking or fisting can easily tear the lining of your arse, putting you at greater risk of HIV and STI transmission. If you’re being fucked or fisted, be careful about cuts or tears in or around your arse. If you are having sex with someone and you realize that he is too ‘out of it’ to make his own decisions, take responsibility for both of you. Make sure that the sex you have is safe.

Some men make excuses for unsafe sex because they were ‘out of it’, or because they weren’t planning on having sex; it just happened. Being ‘out of it’ on drugs or alcohol can affect your decisions, but being ‘out of it’ isn’t an excuse to have unsafe sex. If you’re planning a big night, and know you’re going to be drinking or taking drugs, be prepared.

Condoms, gloves and lube

Keep a supply of condoms, gloves and lube at home and take condoms and lube with you when you go out, especially to a beat. If you’re going to a sex-on-premises venue, make sure you use the condoms and lube supplied. Lots of men have safe sex when they’re ‘out of it’. So can you.

Partying at home

Some people choose to have sex parties at their homes and sometimes this involves drugs and alcohol. Soemtimes this is planned and other times it just happens. ACON has a dedicated website informing people about this. The website is designed to help people understand the risks associated with partying at home and minimize those risks if they or their guests choose to consume alcohol or other drugs when partying at home.     

It also includes harm reduction strategies relating to the use of both legal and illegal drugs, information on practicing safe sex in house party environments and information about the legal responsibilities of hosts and guests. The site also provides information and downloadable signage on how to recognise and effectively respond to medical emergencies.

Web: Check out Partying at Home

More info

Contact: ACON’s Alcohol & Other Drugs Program

Tel: (02) 9206 2000
Freecall: 1800 063 060
TTY: (02) 9283 2088

Email: aod@acon.org.au