CRYSTAL METHAMPHETAMINE / TINA: CHEMSEX SUPPORT

AKA: Tina and Meth 

Crystal meth is a strong, highly addictive amphetamine stimulant which is usually snorted, smoked, mixed with water and injected (slamming), or injected inside the anus (booty bumping). For people engaging in chemsex, tina is another name for crystal meth. It releases the brain’s stress hormone norepinephrine and feel good chemicals dopamine and serotonin which makes people feel high, full of energy, confident, impulsive, less likely to feel pain and very horny with fewer inhibitions. It suppresses appetite and increases energy levels, so people taking Crystal can go for days without eating or sleeping. It is often used during non-stop sex sessions and on the clubbing scene.

Sex on Crystal Meth

Crystal can make people feel extremely sexually aroused for long periods. People using this drug may do things they wouldn’t normally do, including risking picking up or passing on HIV. It often makes it difficult for men to get an erection or ejaculate. It can become hard to think of having sex without being on meth which can have a big impact on your ability to have sex sober.

Health risks of Crystal Meth

• Long or rougher crystal-fuelled sex sessions can cause the genitals, mouth or anus to become irritated, sore or bleed. This may not be noticed at the time, but it can increase the risk of HIV, Hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted infections being passed on.
• Due to increased body temperature, heartbeat and blood pressure, it can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, coma or death.
• Comedowns can leave a person exhausted, aggressive and paranoid, in some cases even suicidal.
• People can develop stomach problems such as acid reflux or gastritis due to not eating for a long period of time.
• With long-term use, crystal meth can damage the lungs, nose and mouth and lead to lasting mental health problems, even after quitting the drug. It can also interact dangerously with other recreational and prescription drugs.
• People may find quitting crystal very difficult and its effects on the brain can last long after giving the drug up.

Useful to know

• Injecting is best avoided. It’s the quickest way to get addicted and runs the risk of serious health problems. Causing skin abscesses, collapsed veins, blood poisoning and heart infections.
• Never share injecting equipment as there’s a high risk of HIV, Hepatitis C and other infections.
• Using hot pipes might injure your mouth and if you share them it risks passing on infections like hepatitis C and HIV.