| Crystal Methamphetamine Effects |
| Crystal Meth |
| and Sex |
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| Footnotes Taken from Crystal Town Halls |
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| Risks
* Crystal Meth tends to lower inhibitions in most users leading to potentially risky behavior and increased chances of HIV and STD infection. * Men on speed are less sensitive to pain and maybe inclined to engage in more aggressive sex for longer periods of time potentially causing condoms to break and increasing the chances of HIV and/or STD infection. * Crystal dick makes it more likely that a man will take the role of "bottom" (receptive anal partner). The bottom is at higher risk for HIV, other viral infections, bacterial infections and tissue damage. That's why condoms are recommended for anal sex. * Through prolonged sexual activity, tissues of the penis, anus and throat can get damaged. If damaged tissue is exposed to blood or semen, it's much easier for HIV or other harmful organisms to enter the body. * Some men become dependent on crystal and can no longer have sex without it. * In spite of having "hot sex" while using crystal, many men end up feeling socially isolated, disconnected, distrustful and empty. * Meth allows the individual to engage in the type of sex he thinks he is suppose to have. Sexual Behavior Users may exhibit sexually compulsive behavior while under the influence. This disregard for the potential dangers of unprotected sex or other reckless sexual behavior may contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STD's). Concern over the use of methamphetamine resulting in risky sexual practices has been especially visible in the gay community (however the dangers posed to heterosexual couples is no less). Among the effects reported by methamphetamine users is an increase in the need and urgency for sex, the ability to have sex for extended periods of time, 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, methamphetamine lowers inhibitions and may cause users to behave recklessly or to become forgetful. According to a recent San Diego study, methamphetamine users often engage in unsafe sexual activities, and forget or choose not to use condoms. The study found that methamphetamine users were a sixth as likely to use condoms. The urgency for sex combined with the inability to achieve release (ejaculation) can result in tearing, chafing, and trauma (such as rawness and friction sores) to the sex organs, the rectum, and mouth dramatically increasing the risk of transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Methamphetamine also causes erectile dysfunction (though the term has more rarely been used to describe the extreme urge for sex experienced by many methamphetamine users), which often leads people to decide to engage in receptive anal sex or fisting. * Crystal meth is well known for its ability to heighten the sexual experience. * The excitement comes from delaying the orgasm, but erectile dysfunction, referred to as "crystal dick" is just as common. * Crystal Dick is the inability to maintain or even achieve an erection. * MSM meth users usually take the bottom position during anal sex. * Men on speed are less sensitive to pain and maybe inclined to engage in more aggressive sex for longer periods of time. * Sex on meth may last for long periods of time and cause condoms to break. * Crystal Meth tends to increase confidence and lower inhibitions in some users. * Many gay men suffer from shame and guilt around their sexuality and often will not engage in sexual activities unless in an altered state. * Meth allows the individual to engage in the type of sex he thinks he is suppose to have. * The combination of low self esteem, internalized homophobia and crystal meth lead to risky behavior. Crystal Meth and HIV 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." 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 methamphetamine 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. New York's Callen-Lorde Community Health Centre claims two-thirds of clients testing HIV-positive since June 2003 say methamphetamine was a component in their becoming positive. In a 2001 study of HIV-positive men who use methamphetamine, 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 methamphetamine use after being diagnosed HIV-positive. Others reported using methamphetamine to deal with sources of emotional pain, such as social rejection and negative self-perceptions about being HIV-positive or memories of childhood abuse. 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 methamphetamine. There are concerns that "aggressive" and difficult to treat forms of HIV may spread among methamphetamine users. Some HIV-positive individuals are using methamphetamine 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 methamphetamine. Some users (especially heavy or longterm users) who are HIV-positive experience an increase in viral load (the amount of HIV in the body). Methamphetamine 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. In addition, methamphetamine use is immuno-suppressive due to the missed meals, vitamin depletion, weight loss and disrupted sleep that accompany binges. Meth Effects on HIV * HIV weakens the immune system over a period of time and a damaged immune system makes it difficult to fight off diseases. * The party lifestyle (staying awake for days at a time, not drinking enough water or not eating enough food or the right foods) also destroys the immune system. * Crystal meth actually eats through the immune system. Crystal use itself causes a drop in T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. * The drug, the lifestyle and HIV take a major toll on those who are immunocompromised. HIV Medication and Crystal Meth * There is not much known about the interaction between HIV medication and Crystal Meth. * Pharmaceutical companies are not doing this research. * Because of the US War on Drugs its unlikely that the Government is going to research this. * Even if there was research it would be hard to get scientific results since the purity of party drugs varies significantly. * Those on HIV medications who use crystal meth may have poor adherence or take drug holidays. * Unsupervised drug holidays, especially when partying, are tricky because they can lead to a drop in T-cell counts and a rise in Viral loads. * Drug holidays are also dangerous because it gives the virus a chance to mutate and become immune to the medication you are taking. |
