Campaigns and Hubs Legacy campaigns Help, support, treatment | Chemsex What type of chemsex support is available? Is chemsex is starting to feel like it’s getting too much or like you don’t enjoy it anymore? Are you worried you might be struggling with addiction issues? Is chemsex starting to take over more of your life than you’d like? There is support available for you. You don’t have to be at a crisis point to reach out for support. Many people access support to better understand their relationship with chemsex, reduce risks, or make changes that feel right for them. There are different types of support available, and what works will be different for everyone. One-to-one support One-to-one support involves speaking confidentially and in a non-judgemental space, with a trained worker, counsellor, or therapist. This might focus on your drug use, sexual health, emotional wellbeing, or a mix of these. Sessions can take place in person, over the phone, or online. Some people find this helpful if they want space to talk openly without being in a group setting. Counselling and therapy Counselling is generally short-term (6-8 sessions), focused on specific, current problems (e.g. addiction) and coping strategies. Therapy (or psychotherapy) can be longer-term (often once a week or every other week), focusing on deep-rooted, complex issues, mental health conditions, and past trauma with the aim to support lasting change, greater self-understanding, and improved ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Counselling and therapy can give you space to explore both the positives and the difficulties of your life and relationship to chemsex, at your own pace. Counselling for chemsex might include talking about things like: your relationship with drugs and sex how chemsex is affecting your mood, sleep, or wellbeing feelings after chemsex sessions, such as anxiety, shame, or low mood and come downs experiences of connection, intimacy, or loneliness consent, boundaries, and safety whether you want to reduce, stop, or continue in a safer way Some people come to counselling with a clear aim or goal, like stopping or reducing chemsex. Others are unsure and just want to talk things through. Both are completely valid. Counselling and therapy can also help explore what might sit underneath why you’re having chemsex . This could include things such as: confidence and self-worth identity past experiences stigma trauma how you feel about sex and relationships patterns of behaviour and coping strategies Sessions are usually one-to-one and can take place in person, online, or over the phone. The pace and focus are led by you, and you can choose what you do or don’t want to talk about. You can usually access free counselling for chemsex through: specialist chemsex organisations sexual health services local drug and alcohol services NHS services private therapists who specialise in chemsex Residential rehab and detox support Some people may benefit from more intensive, structured support in a residential setting (often called rehab), especially if chemsex or drug use feels difficult to manage in day-to-day life. Residential rehab usually involves staying at a treatment centre for a period of time (for example, a few weeks), where you receive a combination of medical support, counselling, and group work. Some services also offer detox. Detox is support to help your body safely adjust if you want to stop or reduce certain drugs. For some people, this includes medical care to help manage withdrawal symptoms. Not everyone will need detox, but it can be helpful in some situations. Rehab for chemsex often looks at more than just drug use. It may also include support around: sex, intimacy, and relationships mental health and emotional wellbeing patterns of behaviour and coping strategies rebuilding routines and support networks In the UK, there are currently very few residential services specifically designed for chemsex or LGBTQ+ people. However, you can still access rehab through general drug and alcohol services, and some services will adapt support to your needs. You can explore options through: local drug and alcohol services, who can assess your needs and refer you \ specialist chemsex or LGBTQ+ organisations such as London Friend NHS services, including clinics like Club Drug Clinic private rehab providers For many people, rehab is not the first step. You might start with one-to-one support, group work, visit sexual health services or a treatment service, and then consider rehab if you need more structured or intensive support. Group work and peer support Group work and peer support brings together people with shared experiences of chemsex in safer space. Listening to others that are on the path of recovery can be inspiring, give hope and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness and increase self-worth. These sessions are led by a trained facilitator and are usually run by people who have been through what you have. Some people find going to groups helpful because they reduce isolation and shame and offer a sense of connection. You can hear how others manage similar situations and share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. Examples include peer support spaces like Controlling Chemsex. You can find more in our Chemsex Support Directory [LINK]. Sexual health services Sexual health clinics can support you with testing, prevention (including PrEP, PEP and DoxyPEP), and advice around safer sex and drug use. Sexual health services can also help support you around issues of consent and sexual assault. Sexual health workers at clinics understand chemsex and can connect you to other types of support if you want or need it. You can find more in our Chemsex Support Directory [LINK]. Getting treatment (drug and alcohol services) If you want more structured support, drug and alcohol services can offer a treatment pathway set over a number of weeks. This usually starts with an assessment, followed by a care plan that’s tailored to you. You might be offered: regular sessions with a keyworker support to reduce or stop drug use referrals to mental health or sexual health services ongoing support as your needs change These services are free and confidential, and you can often refer yourself directly. [LINK] Getting started Having choice in how you access support is important because everyone’s experiences, needs, and goals are different. What works for one person may not work for someone else, especially when it comes to sensitive or personal topics like chemsex, sexual wellbeing, mental health, or relationships. You might choose to: contact a local drug and alcohol service directly visit a sexual health clinic speak to your GP reach out to a specialist organisation Support is confidential and non-judgemental and can be over the phone, online or in-person. The Chemsex Support Hub offers non-judgemental information and help for LGBTQ+ people around chemsex, sexual health and wellbeing. The Chemsex Support Hub is here to support you in rebuilding your wellbeing, relationships, and sense of self beyond chemsex. The hub offers non-judgemental help, information and advice to help you move forward at your own pace. [LINK] Manage Cookie Preferences