Party Drug Use Among Gay Men: Expanding Contemporary Understandings for Nursing Practice

Background:The extant literature about party drug use among gay men primarily produces a list of negative health sequelae that correlate with using these substances. Missing from the current research are explorations about why people consume party drugs. In other words, researchers have not systematically collected people’s narratives about “what they get out of” party drugs.Methods:Using Deleuze’s and Bataille’s work, exploratory semistructured interviews were undertaken with gay men who reported attending circuit parties, using party drugs, and engaging in condomless sex.Results:Seventeen men fit the study inclusion criteria and engaged in an interview. Two main themes emerged: party drugs were used to achieve desired sensations, and party drugs provided respite. The findings suggested that the relationships between party drugs and condomless sex are not necessarily causal.Conclusion:It is important for nurses to differentiate the competing uses of pleasure seeking and respite, and design and provide interventions based on each patient's or patient groups’ reasons for using party drugs.

Down the K-Hole

The chapter analyzes language use in Circuit Noize, a magazine distributed at circuit parties, a type of rave dance party for gay men. The magazine positioned itself as representing the “circuit boy” subculture that developed around circuit parties. The magazine promoted the use of in-group circuit boy slang and awarded prizes for examples of witty camp language overheard at circuit parties. After an overview of circuit subculture, the chapter presents a detailed discussion of the language ideology promoted by the magazine. The language ideology in Circuit Noize served to differentiate circuit boys from other men, both gay and straight. Although the personal style of circuit boy subculture emphasized expressions of masculinity similar to those associated with heterosexual men, the use of language promoted by the magazine serves to differentiate circuit masculinity from heterosexual masculinity.

Sex and Drugs: High-Risk Behaviors at Circuit Parties

HIV and other sexually transmitted infection rates are increasing among men who have sex with men. This increase may be attributed to the high rates of drug use and risky sexual behaviors at gay festive events called circuit parties. Although few studies have examined the actual level of risk, the implications from the available studies underscore the need for the development of interventions to address this public health concern. The 5 As approach provides an evidence-based approach to assist in behavior change that may reduce the HIV and sexually transmitted infection rates among gay and bisexual men who attend circuit parties. This article reviews the findings and recommendations from the few available studies on circuit parties and risk behavior. The authors propose that the 5 As approach for behavioral change be adapted by practitioners in the primary care setting.