Sexual Well-Being

Sexual Health & Drugs/Alcohol

Drugs come in many different kinds. Some are legal, some are illegal and some are prescribed. Each drug has different effects and different levels of potency. Everyone has an individual reaction to the drugs they take.
All drugs can change the way people feel and often their behaviour too. This section deals briefly with how drugs can affect sexual behaviour and sexual health.
There are ways of using drugs that can minimise any harmful effects, and you can get information on all types of drugs and their effects from the National Drugs Helpline - it’s free and open 24 hours a day - on 0800 567 123.

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most commonly used drug. It is legal and freely available to people over 18, though many young people also use alcohol. Using alcohol makes people relaxed and lowers their inhibitions. Some people feel more confident, some people feel more outrageous.
People tend to behave differently under the influence of alcohol and often do things that they would not do when sober.
When using alcohol you might feel more sexy, and more into sex of some kind. At times like this it’s easy to forget about safer sex, or just not bother. Remember that any unprotected sex can carry a risk of pregnancy and/or infections.
Carrying condoms with you all the time means they are ready and on hand when you might need them. Try to stay aware of your sexual health even when you’re drunk. You can still do what you like, and still do it safely.

Recreational Drugs

This could include cannabis, stimulant drugs (speed, cocaine, ecstasy), hallucinogenics (LSD / acid, magic mushrooms). All these drugs change the way you feel in some way.
One of the effects of cannabis to make people more relaxed. In a similar way to alcohol, this can mean people feel less inhibited and more sexy. Being aware of this and having condoms ready can make it easier to keep sex safer.
Stimulant drugs make people feel awake and alive. People can feel more confident, chatty and outgoing. Ecstasy, especially, leads to temporary feelings of loving everyone around you. At these times some people might want to have sex more. Again, staying sexy and healthy can be made easier by being prepared. Also even when using drugs, still talk about the kind of sex you and your partner want.
Hallucinogenic drugs like LSD /acid or magic mushrooms temporarily alter the way people see the world and themselves. It may be that sex is the last thing they want, or it may mean that their sexual desires are heightened. All the same advice about still practising safer sex applies here too.

Hard Drugs

By this people are usually referring to heroine or the purer forms of stimulant drugs (e.g. crack-cocaine and methamphetamine). The stimulant drugs have similar effects to the ones described above, only much more intense.
Heroine, on the other hand, often reduces people’s desire for sex. Again it’s about the change in the way people feel that might mean they are less aware of staying safe during sex. Injecting drugs of any kind with used needles and syringes carries a high risk of catching a number of serious infections, including HIV.

Prescribed drugs

Medication, either prescribed by your doctor, or some over-the-counter medicines, can also affect how people feel about sex and about themselves.
Sexual health is important as part of your whole health; so communicating your needs, and negotiating safer sex is always the best way to stay sexy and healthy.