Drugs, Alcohol and Sex

Drugs and alcohol can make us feel more sexually confident or sexier in general. However, how drugs and alcohol loosen our control and affect our bodies and minds has its downsides.

The more you drink or take, the less careful you’re likely to be. It’s important to remember that drunk actions can have serious sober consequences when it comes to sex and your personal safety. Choosing to have sex for the first time or with someone new can be scary and it can seem tempting to have a few drinks if you’re nervous.

Although it may seem like a good idea at the time, having sex whilst drunk can make you take risks you wouldn’t when sober and lead to decisions you may later regret.

Alcohol can affect your judgement; you may forget to use a condom or find it harder to have that discussion, leaving you at risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Ever heard of beer goggles? You could choose to have sex with someone you don’t even fancy or be pushed into something you would never do when sober. If you are worried that you might have been made to do something sexual that you didn’t want to do, please seek help.

Being drunk can make you feel confused or ill, which can make the experience unpleasant. You might find yourself being sick from drinking too much alcohol; if you’re taking a contraceptive pill this could make the pill less effective which puts you more at risk of an unplanned pregnancy.

For men, alcohol can actually have a negative effect on their sexual performance, making it harder to get and maintain an erection.