Rainbow Project - Supporting and Empowering Gay and Bi-sexual Men in Northern Ireland

Recreational drugs and alcohol play an important part in the lives of many gay and bisexual people. Smoking rates are twice as high amongst gay and bisexual men than the general population. More gays and lesbians die from tobacco and alcohol every year than die from AIDS. There are numerous issues related to the use of alcohol and other drugs, such as legality, impact on sexual and mental health, and the dangers of date-rape drugs.

Click here for information on individual drugs, including cannabis and ecstasy, which also lists often-used slang or alternative names. If you need information about the local drug support services available to you, please contact us at The Rainbow Project.

Those living with HIV need to be especially aware of the potential effects of using recreational drugs. Gay Men’s Health (http://www.gmhp.demon.co.uk/drugs/hiv.html) have written a guide on drugs and HIV.

Drugs and alcohol can have dramatic effects on your sexual behaviour. They can make you more likely to have casual sex, and less likely to use condoms, leaving you at risk of exposure to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Some drugs can also have a negative impact on your relationships or your sexual performance.

If you are concerned about your drug and alcohol use, contact The Rainbow Project to find local support services in your area.