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About this webinar:

Sexualised drug use (SDU), the use of alcohol and other drugs to enhance sexual encounters, has received growing attention in research and public health. While SDU among men who have sex with men (often referred to as 'chemsex') has been widely studied, much less is known about these practices in heterosexual contexts. This seminar will present findings from a mixed-methods systematic review of 29 studies exploring SDU among heterosexual people. The review examined practices, motivations, behaviours, and health correlates, drawing on both qualitative and quantitative evidence. Findings suggest that heterosexual people frequently engage in SDU, commonly involving substances including alcohol, cannabis, MDMA, and cocaine. Motivations such as enhancing intimacy, boosting confidence, and reducing inhibitions mirror those seen in chemsex contexts, though practices like group sex are less common. Importantly, SDU is associated with a range of health considerations, including STI transmission, reduced condom use with casual partners, and mental health impacts. By consolidating what we know, this seminar highlights how heterosexual SDU differs from and overlaps with chemsex practices, and highlights opportunities for further nuanced research and health promotion strategies in this space.

About this speaker:

Dr Thomas Norman is a Research Fellow at La Trobe University's Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), specialising in public health and psychology. His research centres on the identification and reduction of health inequalities among key populations and marginalised groups, with a particular focus on sexual health, substance use and mental health.