Chemsex parties are causing HIV infection rates to skyrocket in European ‘gay destinations’

At a London conference hosted by the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) last week, doctors raised concern over the connection between drug-fueled parties that are behind an increased spread of HIV within urban areas of Europe.

IAPAC president, Jose Zuniga, reported by Reuters, characterized chemsex as a “challenge of proportions we cannot fully comprehend at this time.”

Chemsex refers to using drugs such as gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) or crystallized methamphetamines as a sexual enhancement. Both drugs can increase libido and lower inhibitions, allowing for extended sexual experiences., but come at a high cost.

Parties featuring chemsex are often promoted via hookup apps, using terms such as “high and horny” or “party and play.”

Related: Tabloid ‘forces’ rugby player Gareth Thomas to come out as HIV-positive 

A variant of this scene is “slamsex,” where users self-inject drugs, versus snorting or swallowing medications. This only adds to concerns of HIV infection if tainted needles are shared with other partiers.

As a result, doctors are seeing an increase in HIV cases…

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