Campaigns and Hubs Legacy campaigns Looking after yourself | Chemsex During a session | The chemsex safety guide If you’re currently in a chemsex session, checking in with yourself and others can help keep everyone safer and reduce risks. Chemsex sessions can change quickly. People may arrive unexpectedly, plans may shift, drugs may be redosed, and sessions can go on longer than intended. Taking a moment to pause, check in, and stay aware can make a real difference. This guide is not about judgement or telling people what to do. It’s about helping people make informed choices, look after each other, and reduce potential harm. How am I feeling right now? During a session, try to regularly check in with yourself physically and mentally. Think about things like: Am I feeling OK, or overwhelmed? Am I anxious, paranoid, low, or uncomfortable? Am I feeling higher than I planned to be? Have I hydrated or eaten recently? Do I need a break, some air, or rest? Do I still want to be here? Is it time to go home? If something doesn’t feel right, it’s OK to step away, slow down, rest, or leave. Am I still comfortable? Consent is ongoing and can change at any time. If you’re finding your doing things you don’t want to or maybe aren’t comfortable with, it’s OK to say no and step away. Looking out for others in similar situations is also important. Think about things like: Is this the kind of sex I want to be having? Are these the drugs I want to be doing? Do others seem comfortable and able to consent? Is anyone else too high? Can I make decisions clearly? Has anyone crossed a boundary? Do I need to say no, stop, or slow things down? You can withdraw consent at any time, even if you agreed earlier. Am I sticking to my drug safety plan? During a session, it can be easy to lose track of time, amounts of drugs taken, or what has been mixed. Staying aware of this and sticking to a plan can reduce risk. Consider things like: Do I know what I’ve taken and when? Have I set timers or alarms for redosing? Am I avoiding random top-ups? Have I mixed substances? Have I had alcohol as well? Do I need to slow down, take a break or stop for now? Be especially cautious with GHB/GBL, where small dose differences can have serious effects. Am I looking after myself? Long sessions can sometimes take a toll physically. It’s important to look after yourself during a session beyond just what drugs you’re taking. Remember things like: Hydrating regularly Eating snacks or food if you can Taking breaks from sex Using things like lube to help make sex more comfortable Resting if you feel exhausted Stopping if you need to. Some of these seemingly small things can help you during a session and in the days after a session. Am I looking after others? Checking in on each other can help prevent emergencies and create a safer environment for everyone. Look out for things like: Someone becoming unusually sleepy or hard to wake Confusion, distress, panic, or paranoia Someone being pressured into sex or drugs Someone who seems isolated or vulnerable People losing track of doses or mixing heavily Someone who needs water, food or rest A quick check-in can help. Ask them how they are, of they need anything or just sit with them for a while. In an emergency call 999. How do I spot an overdose? If you suspect someone has overdosed call 999 immediately. You should get urgent help if someone: Is unconscious or cannot be woken Is breathing slowly, irregularly, or not breathing Is having a fit or seizure Has blue lips or skin Is choking or vomiting while unconscious Is severely agitated, overheating, or hallucinating dangerously Suddenly collapses You’re seriously worried about their health or think they are in danger If someone is seriously unwell or unresponsive: Call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance Give the address clearly and unlock the door if possible Stay with the person If they are unconscious but breathing, place them on their side in the recovery position [LINK] If they’re not breathing normally, follow emergency call handler instruction Remove anything blocking their airway Tell the paramedics what they may have taken if you know Ambulance staff are there to help keep people safe without judgement. Never hesitate to call emergency services. Looking after yourself afterwards Read our full guide for recovering and looking after yourself after chemsex sessions: After a session | The chemsex wellness guide Finding support If chemsex is starting to affect your wellbeing, relationships, sex life, finances or mental health, support is available. The Chemsex Support Hub offers non-judgemental information and help for LGBTQ+ people around chemsex, sexual health and wellbeing. [LINK] Manage Cookie Preferences