Chemsex Friends & Families Support
Support for families, friends and partners of LGBT people engaged in chemsex
Are you affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use? Is your partner, friend or family member engaged in chemsex?
London Friend’s drug and alcohol support service Antidote has worked in partnership with Adfam, the national charity working to improve life for families affected by drugs or alcohol, to develop a resource for families, friends and partners of LGBT people using alcohol, drugs or engaged in chemsex.
Supporting a friend, partner, or family member affected by problematic alcohol or drug use can be difficult. Although family support groups exist, they are not generally LGBT specific, and people attending may not feel comfortable talking about a same-sex partner, or about sensitive issues such as chemsex.
As part of a pilot Antidote and Adfam consulted with LGBT families, friends and partners, and provided LGBT families support groups. This has helped to create the resource which you can download here.
The resource covers important aspects such as:
- Explaining chemsex
- Explaining drugs and their physical and emotional impact
- Explaining underlying issues and reasons potentially responsible for LGBT drug use
- Implication of drug and alcohol consume for families, partners and friends
- Looking after yourself
- Supporting a loved one
- What to do in an emergency
- Treatment pathways
- Implications on sexual health and HIV
- Other ways of support and signposting
Further information and support for families, friends and partners is available from Adfam.
You can access a list of our services or contact us by email to discuss your needs: antidote@londonfriend.org.uk
Antidote helpline: Contact us to discuss your drug or alcohol issues on 020 7833 1674 (10am-6pm, Monday to Friday). Ask for someone from the Antidote Team.
