ssh-chemsex-study-final-main-report

5.4 SEXUAL LONGEVITY AND PARTNER TURNOVER
Drugs very often facilitated sexual longevity, with men
reporting being able to have sex for long periods of time
without ejaculating, and/or being ready to have sex again
very quickly after ejaculating. This effect was particularly
pronounced among men using crystal meth, who
reported that sexual sessions could last for many hours,
or even days.
“ So for me and this guy, we would smoke it [crystal]
together and literally just fuck him for 12 hours,
non-stop and it was brilliant. It was just – you feel
super human, he can take it and take it. You give it
and give it. ”
[Aged 40, last tested HIV negative]
Around a third of men described recent or regular
chemsex experiences that involved having sex with a
large number of men, over the course of several days and
in several different locations. Taking drugs throughout
this period meant that not only were they kept awake
with high levels of energy, but their sex drive remained
enhanced and their desire to have sex was undiminished
(even if sometimes they experience problems with sexual
performance).
The drugs facilitated high turnover of sexual partners by
both enabling longer sexual performance, but also some
men felt that drugs influenced who exactly they were
willing to have sex with. Most participants mentioned that
the physical appearance (perceived attractiveness) of
men they were willing to have sex with was very different
when their sexual desire was increased.
“ Within ten to fifteen minutes of taking it [mephedrone]
the world is a prettier place, so everybody becomes
more attractive. People have got bigger muscles,
bigger penises, their legs are more powerful.
[Aged 50, last tested HIV
”
negative]
Most of the participants celebrated the fact that they
were able to have sex with lots of men while using drugs.
However, a few had come to question whether this high
turnover was helping them achieve sexual satisfaction,
especially as they often stated a preference for intimate
sex with one individual – see section 5.6.
5.5 ENABLING SEXUAL ADVENTURE
Chemsex was universally described as more intense and
adventurous than sex without drugs. A diverse range of
sexual activity was common-place, which participants
generally believed was far less likely to occur were the
drugs not present. Almost every man talked of drugs
helping them ‘lose their inhibitions’ relating to sex.
Many were unable to articulate more than this common
substance use discourse, but some, when prompted,
described what ‘losing inhibitions’ really meant for them.
“ What I mean by, “Losing my inhibitions,” is you
certainly don’t hold back. You don’t – I don’t have that
moment of thinking, “Ooh, should I? Shouldn’t I?” You
just do it. I don’t mean this in the literal sense, but you,
sort of, go for the kill. Do you know what I mean? It’s
like – you want something; you get it. ”
[Aged 28, diagnosed HIV positive]
Cognitive barriers or personal limits of sexual behaviour
were often discarded while under the influence of
drugs, with men reporting willingness to engage in a
much wider range of sexual activity, including: group
sex; sex toys; S&M or bondage; graphic sex talk; role
play; switching of usual insertive/receptive roles in
anal intercourse (particularly when erectile dysfunction
made insertive sex difficult); watersports; and dominant
or submissive sex. Those who chose to inject drugs,
especially crystal meth, often felt that this delivery
mechanism facilitated even more extreme sex than when
drugs were otherwise administered.
‘Chemsex was universally
described as more intense
and adventurous than sex
without drugs.’
The Chemsex Study | 5. THE IMPACT OF DRUGS ON SEXUAL PLEASURE AND SEXUAL PERFORMANCE 45