Have you heard of the strangely named “gay meth use epidemic”? Although this might sound like a propaganda campaign from the less than reputable days of the past, believe it or not, this is a genuine issue that has scores of medical professionals concerned. According to some research, many gay men are being tempted by the “party and play” (combination of drugs and sex) activity and crystal meth, a dangerous illegal drug that can wreak havoc on your nervous system. On that note, you may have heard about how crystal meth is a commonality in the gay community (for various reasons) and how this drug has become associated with gay men in particular. However, the reality of this matter could not be far from different. In fact, meth is probably one of the least popular drugs in this subgroup. So, where did the story come from? Let’s take a closer look and bust some myths about meth use in the gay community.
All Gay Men Use Meth
Based on studies in the United States and Australia, roughly 40% of gay men reputedly use crystal meth, but additional research has reserved this number from 10 to 40%. Even so, the rates of gay crystal meth use are extremely low in other countries, with London, England reporting a 4% rate. As you can see from these studies, meth addiction is highly infrequent among men who identify as gay. In fact, about 85% to 95% of these boys and men do not even use meth.
Gays Like Meth the Most
As we have seen meth use is highly uncommon among gay men, so this myth is essentially busted from the start. In fact, more gay men in the United Kingdom consume alcohol (90%), inhalants (40%), and marijuana (20%) in contrast to the 4% of men who use meth. Remarkably, studies have shown that gay men not only infrequently use meth but will actively deny it at parties.
Meth Increases Sex Appeal
Here is another myth you have probably heard about, and we can easily tell you this is not true. Although people who are high on crystal meth have been known to engage in unsafe sexual activity, the fact of the matter is that this drug does not increase your drive for intercourse and does not make you even prouder to be gay. If anything, crystal meth will make gay men feel worse about who they are and increase any feelings of sadness or isolation.
Seeking Treatment for Meth Addiction
Crystal meth is a frightening drug with a limited success rate for healing. Ultimately, anyone can easily fall victim to this drug if they make the wrong decisions, but the good news is that you can always break free of your sickness. If you are suffering from meth addiction or have a friend or loved one who has formed an attachment to this deadly drug, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process detox and withdrawal and guide you through each step of the rehabilitation process to help you separate yourself from this toxic drug.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome and dampen your crystal meth addiction today.
