{
  "abstract": "Drug use is a global public health issue. Sexualized drug use (SDU) involves intentionally using substances to enhance sexual activity across diverse contexts, but it lacks a unified definition. Chemsex is a specific SDU subset that features stimulant use (methamphetamine, GHB/GBL, mephedrone) in prolonged sex group sessions, predominantly among men who have sex with men (MSM). We analyzed data from 6,399 valid participants residing in Spain who completed the European Web Survey on Drugs. Our focus was on sex-related drug use, including chemsex. Recreational use was the most common reason for drug consumption (78.01%). Cannabis and heroin were frequently used to relax or manage stress (49.73% and 30.14%, respectively), improve sleep (26.66%), and cope with anxiety and/or depression (26.35%). Drug use to enhance sexual performance and pleasure was reported by 13.66% of participants, while chemsex use was lower at 3.31%. Though historically associated with MSM, chemsex use is increasingly reported among women. Methamphetamine, cannabis, and MDMA were more frequently used by men to enhance sexual experiences, with methamphetamine and new psychoactive substances being primarily linked to chemsex parties. Illicit drug use in Spain is predominantly recreational and typically occurs at home, festivals, or nightlife venues. Chemsex, particularly among MSM, is an emerging issue associated with sexual, physical, and mental health risks. Addressing this requires targeted prevention strategies, including health education, harm reduction, inclusive care services, and professional training to reduce associated harms and improve health outcomes.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Instituto de Investigación, Transferencia e Innovación (ITEI), Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Calle José Abascal 51, 28010 Madrid, Logroño, España Spain",
    "Instituto de Salud Mental y Bienestar Emooti, Madrid, Logroño, España Spain",
    "Faculty of Health, Universidad Internacional de La Empresa, Madrid, Spain",
    "Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (UPC), Madrid, Spain",
    "Observatorio Español de las Drogas y las Adicciones, Delegación del Gobierno para el Plan Nacional Sobre Drogas, Ministerio de Sanidad, Madrid, Spain",
    "Center of Biomedical Network Research On Mental Health, Madrid, Logroño, España Spain"
  ],
  "article_type": "brief report",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Lucia Gallego-Deike"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1,
        2,
        3
      ],
      "name": "Marcos Bella-Fernández"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Luisa María López-Sánchez"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Begoña Brime-Beteta"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Silvana Ruiz-Medina"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1,
        5
      ],
      "name": "Hilario Blasco-Fontecilla"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7z3fs3z49093m.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1007/s10508-026-03525-y",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13748040/",
  "id": "7z3fs3z49093m",
  "issns": [
    "0004-0002",
    "1573-2800"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-026-03525-y",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Brief Report"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2713|HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214558861",
  "pdf_url": "https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10508-026-03525-y.pdf",
  "pmcid": "PMC13748040",
  "pmid": "42802253",
  "published": "2026-09-27",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7z3fs3z49093m.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-13T12:25:37Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13748040",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-026-03525-y"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2713|HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Patterns of Drug Use Across Social and Sexual Contexts in Spain: Insights From the European Web Survey on Drugs 2024",
  "title_text": "Patterns of Drug Use Across Social and Sexual Contexts in Spain: Insights From the European Web Survey on Drugs 2024",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-13T12:25:37Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7z3fs3z49093m",
  "venue": "Archives of Sexual Behavior",
  "versions": []
}