Crystal use among gay and bisexual men has increased in recent years, making it an epidemic among gay and bisexual men. Crystal has not only entered the community, it is permeating the culture. References to crystal appear in advertising, media, chat lines, and community events.

The biggest reason for its popularity is sex. Crystal increases the libido, intensifies the senses and increases energy. It produces very intense orgasms and allows gay men to do sexual things they ordinarily wouldn’t do. It is also the Great Equalizer: many men have told me that guys on crystal don’t care what you look like or how old you are. They just want to have sex, which makes finding sex easy, regardless of your looks.

“I won’t stop I won’t come down . . .”

In the brain, crystal use causes an upsurge in the production of brain chemicals that determine or influence the appetite, sex, sleep, memory and emotions. People often use it (usually by smoking or snorting, but it can be slammed or booty bumped) for a couple of days at a time. The resulting crash causes people to feel depressed, irritable, and exhausted.

Many people find it extremely difficult to stay off crystal once they decide to stop. It takes time for the brain to build back the former amounts of brain chemicals, and the “addict brain” just wants those chemicals, no matter what.

Back in the day, warnings were given about pot, ecstacy, and other party drugs. Most people used them anyway and over time outgrew them. The scare tactics caused people to be skeptical. However, crystal is one party drug that is simply not worth trying. The great fun it produces is the same reason why it is so addictive. No one starts out using thinking that they would ever bleed from masturbating while trying to come, desperately scour their carpet for crystal crumbs, or scrub a single bathroom tile for hours. But they do.

When gay men are high, it is easier to throw safe sex out the window. Thus, the risk of HIV, along with Hep B and C, syphilis, and other STDs, are greater when using crystal. Even occasional use of crystal can lead to a lapse in taking HIV medications, as well as weight loss and vitamin depletion. Crystal users stay awake for two or three days at a time. Sleep, however, is essential to maintaining the immune system. Crystal use itself causes a drop in T cells and NK cells, creating a major toll on immunocompromised individuals.

The way one person put it, “Troubles with cocaine have a way of sneaking up on you, but with crystal they pounce on you.” Once their crystal days have ended, many gay men realize that crystal covered up painful aspects of their lives. And although most gay men start using crystal because it is part of the social world (often being introduced to it by a trick or boyfriend), crystal use increases loneliness.

Doing crystal puts you on a merry-go-round of emotion. Underlying problems never get resolved. Difficult experiences and situations become worse from its consequences. Fighting with your boyfriend, getting behind in paying bills, and being fired from work are just a few examples of the consequences. It’s not unheard of for people to even lose their homes and apartments due to crystal.

One obstacle to getting off of crystal is that there are many “triggers” that lead to using it. Because sex and crystal addiction are so intertwined, just being horny can trigger a crystal run, and wanting to use crystal can set off a sexual binge. Other triggers include stress, disappointments, going on-line, contacting certain friends, and even having cash available.

Thinking that you can kick crystal by yourself is a common mistake. Building a support system is the only way that you can prevent yourself from using crystal. Formal support includes support groups, coaching, outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, and group homes. Formal support also includes Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) and Narcotics Anonymous. Many gay men also enter therapy. Informal support includes relying on non-using friends and people with a solid recovery.

In thinking about how bad their lives have gotten, many gay men ask, “How did I get to the point where crystal controlled my life?” The more important question is “How do I get to the next part of my life without crystal?” Fortunately, there are places to go for help. For information and resources, visit this article at www.gaylesbiantimes.com for website links or call Jeffrey Chernin at (323) 692-7781.