Background and Aims:

The term “chemsex” is used for the voluntary intake of psychoactive and non psychoactive drugs to enhance sexual intercourses mostly among men who have sex with other men (MSM). The most common chemsex drugs are GHB, GBL, mephedrone, methamphetamine, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and alkyl nitrites. Since the first reports of recreational chemsex in the early 2000’, their use is increasing. There is a growing concern about the severe mental and physical, sometimes lethal complications, related to these drugs.

To discuss the medical and psychological issues related to the use of “chemsex”drugsMethods:

Methods:

Case reports of of 3 patients recently admitted in our hospital for severe side effects of chemsex drugs use (one accidental and one intentional overdose needing invasive ventilation; one case of severe addiction to 3MMC leading to profound psychological distress) , and a review of the literature on this topic.  We will highlight the hazards related to the use of these substances, and discuss the unresolved issues that health care providers have to face in dealing with abuse of theses substances.
Results:

Chemsex is increasing in large urban centers, as are severe, even life-threatening, side effects related to them. There is no consensus and a lack of competence for the recognition and management of this condition in most care settings
Conclusions:

Chemsex is a growing concern. There is a need to improve the preventive measures and the medical management of complications related to this emerging phenomenon, as well as the teaching of health professionals.

CHEMSEX: WHEN PLEASURE TURNS TO HARM