Therapy Thursday: “Do You Party?” — Understanding Chemsex and Recovery

On hookup apps like Grindr and Scruff, three words carry a specific meaning: “Do you party?” It is not an invitation to a birthday celebration. It is code — shorthand for a practice known as chemsex, and for many gay men, a world unto itself.

Chemsex refers to the use of specific psychoactive “party” drugs — mainly crystal methamphetamine (also known as “Tina”), Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB or “G”), and mephedrone — combined with intensified sexual activity to enhance, prolong, or facilitate the experience. Crystal methamphetamine is exceptionally addictive, inundating the brain with massive amounts of dopamine after only several uses. It works by both increasing the release of dopamine and blocking its reuptake, resulting in an intense high that lasts 8–12 hours — much longer than cocaine, for example. West Hollywood and Los Angeles have seen an increase in methamphetamine-related deaths and hospitalizations, with methamphetamine ranking as the second most popular drug after cannabis in the LGBTQ+ community.

Also referred to as “party and play,” or “PnP,” the combination of drug use with sexual activity is sometimes used by gay men for extended periods — sessions lasting hours or even days. PnP becomes a habitual ritual, often carrying risks of addiction, overdose, and HIV transmission. Despite predictable consequences, some gay men of various ages, privilege, or status continue to be drawn to the PnP scene and a perceived sense of connection to a group.

The gay male community is known for elevated pressure to conform to strict visual and social aesthetic standards. Drugs like crystal meth are used to manage unpleasant emotions stemming from insecurities about not measuring up to those standards, as well as anxiety, loneliness, and internalized homophobia. Dating and hookup apps like Grindr and Scruff have normalized PnP culture and made it more accessible than ever.

Meth use can produce insidious changes to brain chemistry, making it more addictive and increasingly difficult to control. Chemsex can be understood as a validation-seeking “process addiction” — one that, beyond the drug use itself, includes a regimen of finding drugs and seeking social connection. The combination of drug and sex addiction becomes particularly problematic when it is compulsive, despite creating obvious physical, cognitive, and social consequences. Chemsex addiction often involves denial of its severity, along with a rationale that dismisses the stigma associated with its use. A vicious cycle forms when physical and psychological addiction grossly impairs judgment, undermining the ability to stop.

Recovery from Chemsex addiction is rarely straightforward. Those who’ve struggled with it say that connection to other recovering addicts is often the most critical factor in staying sober. Standard treatment typically includes group-based 12-step support — Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) and Sexual Compulsives Anonymous (SCA) follow a model similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. For those less drawn to that framework, SOS (Save Ourselves) and SMART Recovery offer secular alternatives with less emphasis on a higher power or absolute abstinence. A harm-reduction model — aimed at containing rather than eliminating use — is another option when complete abstinence has proven out of reach. The high relapse rates associated with Chemsex reflect how layered the addiction is, not a shortage of available help.

Several programs serve the West Hollywood area directly. Twin Town Treatment Centers, CAST Treatment Centers, West Hollywood ATC, and the West Hollywood Recovery Center are among the local options. La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center and Van Ness Recovery House extend the network to the broader Hollywood area. Most program and meeting schedules are searchable online.

On Thursday evening, APLA Health’s Party Wise program — in partnership with current Drag Race All Stars contestant Salina EsTitties and local service providers — is hosting a town hall panel and resource fair at 8750 El Tovar Pl. in West Hollywood. The event, called Sex After Chemsex, runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m., with the panel beginning at 7 p.m. West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman is among the participants. Free naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and safer sex kits will be available on site. For anyone navigating Chemsex or supporting someone who is, it is a place to start.

Joseph Contorer, MA, LMFT, is a psychotherapist and author of You’ve Been Blocked, The Search for Gay Male Perfection. Learn more at theblockedbook.com