Gay Drug Addiction Meth Abuse

Gay drug addiction & meth abuse is especially dangerous because of the close relationship between gay drug addiction and HIV/AIDS. Gay men are still the highest risk group for HIV, and gay intravenous drug users have two methods of contracting or transmitting the virus, through sexual contact or infected needles. While clearly not all gay addicts are intravenous drug users, gay addiction is still dangerous because drug and alcohol use lowers inhibitions and often results in poor choices that have physical and social consequences.

Also of special risk are gay drug users espically meth abuse that frequent the “party-n-play” scene, where the likelihood of regrettable sexual choices under the influence is high. These are just a handful of the issues related to gay substance abuse that Out Interventions understands and works with, while more general interventionists may have never heard of such practices.

Chemical dependency, substance abuse, meth addiction and alcoholism are all terms used to describe the chronic and uncontrolled use of a substance and its associated effects on the behavior, thoughts and actions of an individual. There is often a fine line between recreational drug use and uncontrollable substance abuse. Addiction means the compulsive use of substances, as well as subsequent craving and seeking during withdrawal periods. An addict will continue to use or drink compulsively even in the face of negative physical or social consequences, a recreational user/drinker will not. An addict will often lie about or make excuses for any negative consequences as a result of their use, and may constantly be explaining themselves for previous actions or inactions.

It is important to understand that an addict is afflicted by a mental disorder, a recognized disease. They need biomedical treatment for this condition. Contrary to what many addicts and their loved ones believe, a drug or alcohol addiction is not indicative of a weak or evil person. In fact, chances are the person is just as surprised and frightened by their behavior and substance abuse as their family members, friends and coworkers are. They may have tried to quit or moderate on their own, unbeknownst to family and friends. However, no amount of self-control can keep an addict clean and sober for long, because their brains have been altered by chronic and prolonged substance abuse.

Addicts may become defensive when questioned or berated about their substance abuse because they are just as bewildered as their friends or family, though denial often makes this hard for them to see. Denial is a harmful tool the afflicted brain uses to mask the unhealthy drive for more alcohol and/or drugs. Addiction affects the brain adversely the same way diabetes affects the liver adversely; the addict has no control over the course of the disease. Medical treatment is the only successful option! An intervention is the first step in success.