Recent statistics show that men who have sex with men are 10 times more likely to use speed then the rest of the population. These men are at significantly more likely to contract HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea (oral, anal, and in the penis), HPV (genital warts), Chlamydia, and hepatitis (A, B, and C).
Remember, there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C (HCV) and the treatment, often disabling in itself, usually works for only half the people who take it.
Because the use of speed can make erections difficult, it is frequently combined with erectile dysfunction (ED) medications such as Cialis®, Viagra®, and Levitra®. These drugs in themselves are generally safe and effective when used on their own. However, combining poppers (amyl or butyl nitrate) and ED may result in a dangerous drop in blood pressure. When these two drugs are further combined with speed, this “PNP cocktail” creates a serious life-threatening risk.
Using ED drugs in combination with speed substantially increases your chances of contracting an STD (including HIV). Contracting an STD greatly increases your chances of getting HIV.
Combining speed and ED drugs, allows for longer and often rougher sex than without either of them. This greatly increases the likelihood that a condom will break and also allows for the formation of small tears in the anus and penis, allowing bacteria and viruses to penetrate and infect you. When you’re high these tears are almost never noticed.
If you are not ready to quit using speed there are a number of ways to decrease the risk of harm to your body. There are also several treatment options available for you (see list of resources).
Reducing Harm
Avoid HIV / STDs – Use a condom every time you have anal intercourse. Remember, condoms are nearly twice as likely to break when you’re using speed. So use plenty of water-based or silicon lube and check the condom periodically for tears.
Stay healthy - Take your HIV medications on schedule.
Save your liver - Get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B.
Avoid overdose - If you take protease inhibitors – reduce the amount of speed you take to one half or one third.
Avoid dehydration - Consume plenty of fluids.
Don’t inject.
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Consequences of Use
Immediate
Rise in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, risk of overdose – stroke / seizure
Impaired decision making
Damage to penis / anus from prolonged, aggressive sex
Development of the craving-addiction cycle in the brain
Impotence
Increase in HIV viral load
Significant risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis, and other STDs
Tolerance – requiring more and more of the drug to get the same high
Long-Term
Addiction
Tooth loss from dry mouth – grinding
Skin lesions
Weight loss (particularly problematic for those with HIV who may have trouble maintaining lean body mass)
Damage to nerve cells in the brain resulting in impaired memory and thinking ability
Abscesses and infection from injecting speed
Paranoia, obsessive compulsive behavior, psychosis
Sexual dysfunction
Loss of money, jobs, relationships
Isolation
Decreased ability to take pleasure in life without using speed
Arrest, criminal record
A rapid aging effect on the body – making you look older than you actually are
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