What is Chemsex?

Chemsex is the paired use of drugs, particularly methamphetamine, with sexual behavior. The term ‘chemsex’ was coined in the UK to refer to gay men who struggle with stimulant drugs and sex, but use of the word has spread to other communities. Still, it is mostly gay men who use the term chemsex.

Our residential treatment center, Seeking Integrity: Los Angeles, offers specialized treatment for men for whom paired substance/sex behavior has spiraled out of control. Our basic program lasts two weeks, extendable to three or four weeks depending on client needs. Clients who come to see us typically answer yes to one or more of the following questions:

  • Are compulsive drug use and sexual behavior creating problems in your life?
  • Do you need to be drunk or high to engage in sexual behavior?
  • Does your drug and sex life put you in places that scare you, endanger your health, or violate your personal moral code?

If you think you or a loved one may be struggling with sexualized drug use, we suggest you take this anonymous 25-question substance use and sexual disorders screening test.

What Do You Call Your Addiction?

Chemsex addicts sometimes identify as both sex addicts and drug addicts, but not always, and sometimes they identify as neither, choosing instead to call themselves chemsex addicts. At Sex and Relationship Healing and Seeking Integrity, we don’t argue about the terminology. Our goal is to help individuals who consistently and compulsively pair substance use/abuse with sexual activity. For these individuals, the pairing often becomes a single, fused behavior. If they’re doing one, they’re doing the other. And when that fused behavior spirals out of control, we’re here to help.

Many chemsex addicts have tried and failed to quit drugs numerous times. Often, they’ve been to treatment for drug addiction, sometimes more than once. Unfortunately, treatment for drug addiction addresses only half of their issue. And after treatment these individuals typically find themselves relapsing again and again – almost always in relation to their search for the same type of sexual intensity they got when they were using drugs and being sexual.

Treating Both Halves of the Addiction

Whether the fusion of substances and sex is referred to as chemsex or something else, it is clear that linking substance use and sexual behaviors can become a serious issue requiring specialized treatment, as offered by Seeking Integrity: Los Angeles. Click here to learn about our residential treatment programming. You can also contact us with questions via email or phone us at  (747) 234-HEAL (4325).