Chemfun

Chemfun (CF) means sexualised use of "chem" or drug. It is also referred as chemsex. Some people see CF as a great way to enjoy sex and interact with sex partners. It is more common in gay or bisexual men who are HIV positive than those who are HIV negative. Some CF users experience problems related to the strong craving, difficulty to control its use, mental conditions like irritability, depression and paranoia. Chemfun is also associated with repeated sexually transmitted infections or problems with maintaining work and relationships.

Take the ASSIST* self-test and see if you are at risk of having adverse effects from using chem!

* ASSIST was developed for the World Health Organization (WHO) by an international group of researchers for screening substance use and related problems

Simple Steps to reduce the frequency of chemfun

1. How motivated are you to change your pattern of chemfun? Think about your reasons to continue chemfun and what are your reasons to reduce it?
2. What would be a realistic short-term goal you think you can achieve? For example from having chemfun 2 days per week to 2 days every alternative week? stopping all at once? Can you try to stay away from chem for this weekend?
3. Fill in your weekends or schedule with activities. Meeting friends or family for a meal, go for jogging, watch a movie or just cleaning up your home may be some to consider. Having sex without chem is also a possible option.
4. Avoid the possible triggers and cues for chemfun, would deleting apps at least for this weekend be useful? would taking alternate route bypassing the usual area where you have chemfun be useful? Can you say no to, or stop contacting your chemfun sex partners?
5. Remember that craving is a result of repeated chemsex. Sense of craving comes like waves and they will go away, perhaps after 30 minutes or so. You don’t need to follow or act on your craving. Tolerate it or distract it with something else and with practice you will know how you can manage your craving.
6. How is your sex life without chemfun? How are your relationships with your partners or other guys without chem? It is common if you seem not enjoying sex without chem in the initial period you just stop chemfun. But many guys will gradually be able to do it.
7. If there are still areas you are uncertain how to deal with your chemfun, sex life or relationships, do drop a message to any of these agencies for a chat. Sometimes it is just easier to do it with some support or guidance.
8. For safer chemfun, know your own limit, know your sex partners, use condoms, do not inject, and have enough rest before and after it. Avoid mixing poppers with drugs like Viagra as the combination of both would significantly lower your blood pressure leading to a simple faint or even a stroke. Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B if you have not done so. Have regular STI test, including HCV and suggest your partners to take PrEP if they are HIV negative. Space out your frequency of chemfun as much as you can.

Chemfun agencies

• https://www.facebook.com/chemfunsupport/?tn-str=k*F
• http://www.hkcs.org/en/services/project-hero
• https://www.facebook.com/TWGHsSACHIV/
• http://www.choice1069.org/drugsaids

Adverse effects of chems

Reference: https://www.aids.gov.hk/ice/ice202008.pdf

Download CU+ Apps for personal health assessment.