Drinking, Drugs, and HIV

We’re not your parents, so we’re not going to simply tell you, “don’t do drugs.” We just want you to make informed choices that will keep you safe.

Alcohol and drugs impair your judgment and often cause feelings of bliss. Feeling this can make you more impulsive and cause you to think some behaviors aren’t so risky. For example:

• You may end up thinking that the guy you’re about to have sex with is so great that you don’t need to take any steps to prevent HIV or STIs.
• Things may seem to move faster, so you may miss things, like a torn condom, that put you at risk.
• Particularly with drugs like meth, you may feel invincible or like nothing can stop you.

Luckily, here are some ways you can still protect your health when using alcohol or drugs:

• Always bring condoms with you! Studies show that men who plan to use condoms do use them, even when they’re drunk.
• Be committed to using condoms before you start partying. Being drunk or high is not the time to negotiate condom use.
• Get on PrEP. If you’re taking PrEP as prescribed, you’re protected from HIV no matter how hard you go.
• Don’t drink alone or with someone who pushes you to drink more. Go out with friends who will help you stay on track, not ones who will ask you to drink too much.
• Know who you are with and what you put in your body. Keeping an eye on your drinks and only using drugs from trusted sources helps you avoid bad situations.
• Pace yourself when drinking. Your body can only process about one drink an hour. A good strategy is to drink water or diet soda between your alcoholic drinks.
• Make sure you have a safe way to get home. Always have a ride, Uber, cab fare, or another way out.

It’s OK to meet guys at bars and clubs, but some guys find it too easy to party too hard when they go out. Here are other places you can meet guys:

• Community centers
• Sports clubs – search online for queer-friendly leagues in your area
• Coffee shops
• Open and affirming religious groups
• Community events – check online or your local LGBT magazine
• Websites such as Reddit or Meetup