Sex, drugs and HIV/STIs

Drugs and sex

Recreational drugs affect your behaviour and the way your brain works. They can lower inhibitions, alter consciousness and affect your judgement. Some can make you feel more aroused.

If you are planning on taking drugs it is important to think about how you are going to stay safe in terms of sex.

Tips

Use condoms and water-based lubricants to prevent getting HIV and STIs.
Keep condoms and water-based lubricant (safe packs):
- In your pocket so you are prepared if you meet someone.
- Near your bed so they are easy to access if you take someone home.

Drugs and HIV treatments

Taking recreational drugs with HIV treatments can be dangerous. The effects are unpredictable and can vary depending on:

The level of HIV treatment drugs in your blood. This depends on when you took the last dose.
How well your liver breaks down certain drugs. There is no way to measure this.
The strength, purity and amount of the illicit drugs you take.

Tips

To be safe, never mix drugs with HIV treatment. If you do, try to:

Talk to a doctor you can trust before you try it.
Use less (a quarter to a third) of the illicit drug than you might otherwise.
Do not take the drugs at the same time as your HIV treatment - space it out. This might reduce the change of bad interactions.
Drink plenty of water - about 600 mls each hour.
If you feel weird, faint or have nausea, vomiting or dizziness call an ambulance or go to a medical centre or hosptial.

Adapted from the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) HIV Tests and Treatments, 2000