Sex And Crystal Meth: Risks And Dangers

About 13 million people in the United States were using crystal meth 10 years ago, and that number has only continued to rise.

This is alarming because the drug is made from toxic chemicals that rot the teeth, destroy the heart, and cause skin infections and collapsed veins. Usually, these side effects only affect the person who uses the drug.

But if someone has sex with a person who has an addiction to crystal meth, they can face serious health problems, too. For this reason, it is important to understand how crystal meth affects sex.

How Crystal Meth Affects Sexual Decisions And Encounters

Crystal meth gets its name from its crystal-like appearance, caused by the chemicals and cleaning agents used to make it. It affects the body by increasing the neurochemicals dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.

Many young people get hooked on crystal meth after they first try it. After using it just one time, they often find that they can’t stop themselves from using it again.

Since the drug causes a release of “feel-good” chemicals in the brain, some people begin taking it before a sexual encounter. Crystal meth is believed to delay orgasm in men and increase the closeness and sensual sensations that two people feel when they are intimate together.

Mixing sex and crystal meth is dangerous, though, because abusing the drug causes people to have no inhibitions. This makes them engage in risky behaviors that they wouldn’t normally take part in.

What Happens When You Have Sex While On Crystal Meth?

The risks and dangers of having sex while on crystal meth include having a higher chance of being exposed to sexually transmitted diseases.

Those who already have a sexually transmitted disease may also be more willing to expose another person to it. This is especially dangerous if they have HIV or AIDS.

Sometimes, damage to the body might also occur when sex and crystal meth are combined because the drug can cause people to hallucinate. Anal and vaginal tearing are both possible.

Other possible effects include trauma to the skin, mouth, and other body parts. One of the worst risks of having sex while on crystal meth is if a person decides to inject the drug into their vagina, anus, or penis because they think that it will increase the sensations they feel in these areas.

The needle that is used could cause internal bleeding or damage to the delicate tissue, and the person may not realize they need to go to the hospital until after the drug wears off.

Mixing Crystal Meth With Other Drugs

Another way crystal meth affects sex is if it is combined with another drug, like Viagra, ecstasy, or cocaine. All of these substances increase a person’s blood pressure and heart rate in the same way that crystal meth does.

This makes it more likely that they will have a heart attack or stroke from the physical exertion of sex, especially since sexual encounters while on crystal meth usually last for a very long time.

Finding Treatment For A Crystal Meth Addiction

Finding treatment for crystal meth addiction is crucial to an addicted person’s survival since this is one of the most dangerous drugs in the world.

In fact, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has classified the substance as a class-A drug, which means that just being in possession of it is a felony. Besides its addictive qualities, it can put other people at risk for sexually transmitted diseases and other sex-related risks.

Anyone who has a loved one who uses crystal meth should be sure to look into treatment options for them right away. Our treatment specialists can guide you and your loved one in finding a rehab center that offers treatment for meth addiction.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff