Campaigns and Hubs Legacy campaigns What you need to know | Chemsex Chemsex and apps | Staying safer online Dating and sex apps such as Grindr, Scruff, and Recon are often used to meet people for sex, including chemsex sessions. For many people, these apps can feel like an easy and quick way to connect with others, explore sex and arrange ‘chill outs’, especially due to the location-based nature of their platforms. However, using these apps to organise a chemsex session can come with risks, particularly as these apps restrict and ban users for using their services this way, which means people have to find ‘stealth’ ways to organise chemsex. Understanding how to navigate them more safely can help you stay in control and protect your wellbeing. How are apps used in chemsex? Apps are sometimes used to organise parties, chill outs and chemsex. They can be used to arrange sessions, share locations and host details, find people with similar sex and drug interests and find multiple people quickly. It’s important to note that these platforms have very clear ‘no drug’ policies and anyone violating that will be banned. Some people may use specific language, emojis, or abbreviations to describe drugs or chemsex, like ‘HH’ or ‘HnH’ for ‘High and Horny, or ‘P&P’ for ‘Party and Play’ among others. You can find out more about this on our Chemsex Slang page [LINK]. Some apps monitor common drug language and can ban certain terms or emoji use based on it. It’s important to keep on top of these terms so you know exactly what you are agreeing to and you're sure in what you’re comfortable with. What’s allowed and what isn’t? Most apps have community guidelines about what can and can’t be shared. For the majority of apps they have these basic rules: Talking about sex and meeting up is allowed Explicitly advertising or selling drugs is not allowed Sharing harmful or non-consensual content is not allowed Harassment, pressure, or abusive behaviour is not allowed Advertising sex for payment is not allowed. Even though drug use is against most app rules, it can still be talked about indirectly using coded language. This means you may still come across it regularly. If something doesn’t feel right or if you aren’t sure you want to go to a chill out or session, you can: Block or mute users Leave a conversation at any time Report profiles or messages if you feel unsafe or threatened. You’re always in control of who you talk to and who you want to meet. What should I watch out for? When using apps for chemsex, there are a few things to be aware of: Being pressured. Some people may pressure you to take drugs, stay longer, or do things you’re unsure about. This can be subtle or direct. If you feel uncomfortable or don’t want to meet, be firm with your boundaries and block if you need to. Set expectations. Not everyone will be upfront about what a session is about. This might include the type of drugs, how long it will last, or who will be there. Make sure you are fully happy with the group or session you’re attending and if you aren’t sure, you can pull out at any time. Hosting. If you decide to host a session, be mindful about who you give out your address to. Make sure you trust that person and pre-agree any other guests. If you’re going to someone else’s home, make sure you trust that person and let someone else know your location if you can. Changing plans. A session can develop quickly and change with new arrivals or new drugs, which may not be what you expected. Agree any boundaries before you attend via the app, and if this changes, don’t feel like you have to stay. Privacy and boundaries. Be mindful about what images you send to someone. Screenshots, sharing photos, or recording without consent can happen. Many apps, such as Grindr, now have secure private albums that are more difficult to screenshot or record, however it’s always best to be cautious and trust your instincts. How can I stay safer when using apps? There are ways to reduce risk and stay more in control when arranging or attending a chill out via an app. Take your time. Don’t feel rushed into meeting. Chat first and get a sense of the person and the situation. Ask questions. Never feel like you can’t ask questions to make you more comfortable and understand what’s involved. Ask things like ‘who will be there?’, ‘what drugs are being used?’ etc. Set boundaries early on. Be clear about what you want and what you’re willing to do upfront. It’s okay to say no or change your mind at any point. Share your plans. Try and share your plans with a trusted friend, so someone knows where you’re going, who you’re meeting, and when you expect to check in. Keep control of your own stuff. Bring only what you need and keep your phone, keys, and essentials with you or in a safe place. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, you can leave. You don’t owe anyone an explanation. Where can I get support? If using apps for chemsex is affecting your wellbeing, you’re not alone and support is available. This might include: Finding sexual health clinics Drug and alcohol services LGBTQ+ support organisations Mental health services. You can find LGBTQ+ friendly options in our Chemsex | Help, support and treatment section [LINK]. Manage Cookie Preferences