Del Beach-Campbell will use his extensive knowledge to examine why some gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (MSM) get involved in harmful addictive behaviours. He will look at the nature and prevalence of Chemsex. He will examine the drugs involved and the mental health consequences of addictive behaviours. He will explore the world of sex parties and the dark web and aim to shine a light on the guilt and shame which often comes with involvement. Why do some men risk losing everything in exchange for a lifestyle which for many is self-destructive. What are the causes? Isolation? Homophobia? Depression? Without judging drug use, he will demonstrate how MSM can be encouraged to move away from this lifestyle once they are ready to do so and rebuild their lives.
Learning Objective Participants Can Expect From This Event
- To better understand the barriers men and boy face in talking about the impact of their trauma, their vulnerabilities and the fear and the isolation and homophobia which may have originally led them to the world of Chemsex
- To gain an increased knowledge on the drugs involved in the world of Chems, and the hook-up Apps, the type of sexual activity and the drugs themselves can all be addictive and lead to a self-destructive lifestyle
- To better understand the negative impact of Chemsex whilst not demonising drug use or dismissing addictive behaviours as a lifestyle choice.
Who is This Workshop Appropriate For?
- For therapists and other practitioners who want to reach out to men who have been come entrenched in a world they are ready to move on from.
How May This Workshop Impact Your Practice?
- You will gain a reputation as a practitioner who recognises that it is often us who are hard to reach not the communities we seek to support. Your service will be seen as inclusive, empathetic and free from judgement.
Course Content
Presenter
Del has over twenty years’ experience working with marginalised and heavily stigmatised groups including LGBTQIA+, people involved in Chemsex and substance misuse, male survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse, people living with HIV, and those involved in the sex industry. He has developed and delivered services for the NHS, Terrence Higgins Trust, National Ugly Mugs and SurvivorsUK where he is still the Senior Facilitator in their groupwork programme and runs the Surviving Chemsex group. He is the founder of Delversity and the Chair of The Josephine Butler Society.
