The Tropical Institute’s new Chemsex Center offers personalized care

The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) has launched a specialized center of expertise on chemsex, the Chemsex Center. With this new interdisciplinary care and research initiative, the ITM aims to support people who use drugs in a sexual context and experience physical, mental, or social problems as a result. The center builds on years of experience in sexual health care and research.

Chemsex refers to the use of specific drugs before or during sex, often in the context of prolonged sexual sessions involving multiple partners and increased health risks. It has been studied most frequently among men who have sex with men (MSM). A study by the University of West Attica in Athens shows that 22% of MSM worldwide have experience with chemsex. The figures come from a study involving 380,505 participants.

“For many people who engage in chemsex, it remains difficult to find appropriate help,” says Tom Platteau, a sexologist at the ITG. “Support services often focus solely on sex or solely on substance use, whereas it is precisely this combination that is crucial to providing people with effective support. With this center, we want to bridge that gap.”

A trusted point of contact for the target audience

The ITG has maintained close contact with its target group for many years, including MSM who consult the institute for PrEP and HIV follow-up care. “We see people who are experiencing negative consequences, but also people who are motivated to make a change,” says Tom Platteau. “That makes it crucial to link care and research and to ensure that support is grounded in reality.” The Tropical Institute aims to lower the barrier to accessing support related to chemsex and other forms of sexualized drug use. People can seek help there by making an appointment, even if they are not otherwise receiving follow-up care at the ITG. The multidisciplinary team, with specific expertise in substance use, sexual health, mental health care, and social counseling, works together to provide optimal care. This care is always provided in a respectful, non-judgmental, and person-centered manner.

Research and Collaboration

The high-quality care provided by the ITG is embedded in a scientific research context and is delivered in collaboration with healthcare partners such as Sensoa, the Flemish Center of Expertise on Alcohol and Other Drugs (VAD), and UZ Gent. The ITG consults with policy makers such as the Agency for Care and Health and the RIZIV.

International Chemsex Conference

How can researchers, healthcare providers, community organizations, and people with personal experience work together to improve care and support? That was the central question at the International Chemsex Conference, organized by the ITG from March 3 to 5. Over the course of three days, 242 participants from 25 countries exchanged research findings, practical experiences, and ideas. “Chemsex is an international phenomenon,” said Tom Platteau. “By sharing knowledge and experiences, we enhance the quality and humanity of care for people affected by this issue.”

Would you like to schedule an appointment at the ITG? At the time this article was written, the ITG’s appointment tool had not yet been updated. For now, please direct any questions to chemsex@itg.be.