Alcohol and substance abuse trigger risky sexual behaviour in European youth
A study released by the European Institute of Studies on Prevention (IREFREA) shows that there are emerging increases in unsafe sexual practices and sexually-transmitted disease infections amongst youth in Europe because they are consuming higher levels of alcohol and drugs. The study's findings indicate that increased alcohol use and substance abuse could push youths into making a number of inappropriate decisions, such as indulging in risky sexual behaviour. SINC quoted IREFREA as saying that such sexual experiences may turn into remorse for them at a later date. The research team used respondent driven sampling (RDS) methodology to assess 1,341 young people aged between 16 and 35. The sample was collected from nine cities in nine EU Member States, including Germany, Greece, Spain, Austria and the UK. 'Substance abuse varies significantly depending upon the purpose for which these are used,' explained Montse Juan, a Spanish researcher taking part in the study and IREFREA member. 'For example, 28.6% of those drinking alcohol do so to help them get to know a potential sexual partner, while 26.2% of those using cocaine take it to make sexual intercourse last longer.' The researchers' findings add more weight to the connection between drug consumption and the early onset of sexual experimentation. Ms Juan explained that the potential for teenagers to become sexually active at an early age is greater for those who are under 16 years of age who consume alcohol and drugs, including cocaine or cannabis. When compared with males, the IREFREA study hints that females are more likely to become sexual active at an earlier age. Meanwhile, the researchers also found that males are more likely to use cocaine in order to heighten sexual excitement and sensation, while others will consume greater levels of ecstasy so as to prolong the sexual experience. 'The current patterns of drug use among the study participants reflect their number of sexual partners, with regular cocaine users (in comparison with those who have never taken it) being five times more likely to have had five or more sexual partners within the last 12 months, or to have paid for sex,' Ms Juan remarked. The Spanish researcher said prevention experts need to recognise 'how young people view the relationship between drug use and sexuality'. From a Spanish perspective, Ms Juan said that 'there are very few preventative programmes in our country that take this link into consideration'. For the most part, the majority of people who relate drugs with sexuality are 'normal' teens and young people, she explained. 'Now that we are aware of this link and the associated health risks, new programmes and preventive strategies will be needed,' she said. Ms Juan went on to say that 'in addition, further research in the area of drug use and its social, psychological and physical links to sexuality, based on the real and important experiences of young people themselves', is key. It should be noted that up until recently there have been very few studies assessing the connection between sex and substance abuse, with a particular focus on determining why these substances are used as 'facilitators' for sex by young people.
Countries
Spain