Crystal methamphetamine and sex

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Crystal d-methamphetamine hydrochloride (commonly known as "crystal meth," "crystal," or just "meth") is the crystalline form of methamphetamine, a powerfully addictive stimulant drug often used recreationally as a party drug.

Among the effects reported by crystal users (known as "tweakers") is an increase in the need and urgency for sex, the ability to have sex for extended periods (hours or even days), and an inability to ejaculate or reach orgasm or physical release.

In addition to increasing the need for sex and enabling the user to engage in marathon sex sessions, crystal lowers inhibitions and causes users to behave recklessly or to become forgetful. According to a recent San Diego study, crystal users often engage in unsafe sexual activities, and forget or choose not to use condoms. The study found that crystal users were six times less likely to use condoms[1].

The urgency for sex combined with the inability to achieve release can result in tearing, chafing and trauma (such as rawness and friction sores) to the sex organs and the rectum and mouth, dramatically increasing the risk of transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Crystal also causes erectile dysfunction (this is known as "crystal dick", though the term has more rarely been used to describe the extreme urge for sex experienced by many crystal users) which often leads people to decide to engage in receptive anal sex or fisting.

The use of crystal meth, especially among gay and bisexual men, is increasingly associated with the transmission of STDs, in particular HIV.


Contents

[edit] Crystal and HIV

Research conducted in the United States has shown that gay men who use crystal are at increased risk for HIV. In fact, crystal meth users are four times more likely to be infected with HIV than other gay men[2].

According to Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, "We have all sorts of levels of evidence ... and it's all pointing in the same direction: The [crystal] meth epidemic is playing an important role in increasing sexual risk behaviors, and that is leading to new HIV and STD infections." [3].

According to New York's Pride Institute, "We're seeing a strong correlation between anal sex and HIV infection ... People who have weathered years of staying safe are getting into crystal and then testing positive". A 2002 study at a San Francisco HIV clinic found that up to 30% of those with new HIV infections had used the drug in the previous six months [1]. New York’s Callen-Lorde Community Health Centre claims two-thirds of clients testing HIV-positive since June 2003 say crystal meth was a component in their becoming positive.[4]

You become so [sexually] uninhibited that you venture into places you would never otherwise consider, usually some quite depraved places that make you feel disgusted at yourself when you sober up. The danger is you want more and more - crystal and sex - and as your craving increases, you fail to realise it is all an illusion, by which time it is too late to turn back ... [crystal] twists you psychologically into thinking that enough is never enough; never enough men, never enough dick... Even after three or four days like a rabbit with over 20 guys you are left with an emptiness in the pit of your stomach, like a thirst that can't be quenched by the sperm of 1000 gay men."[1]

In a 2001 study of HIV-positive men who use meth, 84% reported engaging in risky sexual behaviour; most tended not to disclose their HIV status to casual partners, and reported that, unless told otherwise, they assumed their sex partner(s) to be HIV-positive. Many participants reported a major increase in meth use after being diagnosed HIV-positive. Others reported using meth to deal with sources of emotional pain, such as social rejection and negative self-perceptions about being HIV-positive or memories of childhood abuse.[1]

HIV-positive men who have unprotected sex with other HIV-positive men risk re-infection ("super-infection") or contracting more virulent and/or drug-resistant strains of the virus. According to some sources, some men who were assumed to be immune to HIV have seroconverted since starting to use crystal. There are concerns that "aggressive" and difficult to treat forms of HIV may spread among crystal users.[1]

"Sex on meth is completely physical ... It's about pushing my limits. The nastier the sex, the better; nastier being a lot of exchange of bodily fluids [and] multiple partners, one right after the other for hours and hours of rough sex."[1]

Some HIV-positive individuals are using crystal to deal with chronic fatigue, to alleviate the side effects of their prescription medication, alleviate depression, and escape negative self-perceptions.

Some drugs used in the treatment of HIV inhibit the body’s ability to break down crystal. Some crystal users (especially heavy or longterm users) who are HIV-positive experience an increase in viral load (the amount of HIV in the body). Crystal also contributes to the depletion of T-cell counts, prevents users from adhering to their drug regimens, contributes to the development of basal ganglia dysfunction (a type of dementia), and stimulates HIV replication in brain cells as much as fifteen-fold, according to an Ohio State University study.[citation needed]

In addition, crystal use is immuno-suppressive due to the missed meals, vitamin depletion, weight loss and disrupted sleep that accompany binges.

[edit] Crystal and Sex Generally

Reckless sexual behavior has been associated with methamphetamine use long before the emergence of this substance in the gay social scene. Poor Whites, mostly straight, in rural and downscale areas of the American heartland, in particular, have for many years been users of meth and practitioners of unsafe sex practices with the attendant health and social consequences on them, their families and communities. Even before the crystal form of meth emerged fifteen years ago, "crank" and "tweakers" had a long tradition in some of these areas. This is further described in a recent episode of the PBS Series Frontline [2]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Life Or Meth home page. Life Or Meth.
  2. ^ Crystal And HIV. Life Or Meth.
  3. ^ Dance Of Death. SFGate.com.
  4. ^

[edit] External links

searches all reviewed medical journal articles in National Lib of Medicine

for terms "(aids OR hiv) AND methamphetamine"]

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