Chemsex

Fact Sheet 6 – When to call 15/112? Practical guidelines in a chemsex context

Reading time: 1 minutes

Reading time: 1 minutes

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Dr Edouard Bougueret

•

Chemsex Fact Sheet

Male profile picture

Dr Edouard Bougueret

•

Chemsex Fact Sheet

Objective

  • Address the underestimation:  call early.

  • Provide a simple guideline: “you see X → you do Y”.

Duration: 3–5 minutes.


Rule 1 (simple)

If you are wondering “should we call?” → that in itself is a good reason to call.

Rule 2 (first aid steps)

  • Do not leave the person alone

  • Put them in the recovery position (PLS) if they are drowsy / vomiting

  • Monitor breathing and ability to be woken up

  • Call 15/112 if you are in serious doubt


GHB/GBL
(depressants)

STIMULANTS
(meth/cathinones/cocaine)

SAFETY / VIOLENCE / TRAUMA

RISK OF COMA

Call 15/112 if:

  • Unconscious or very difficult to wake up

  • Slow / irregular / noisy / abnormal breathing

  • Vomiting + drowsiness (risk of choking)

  • Rapid deterioration, cold/clammy skin, cyanosis

OVERHEATING / HEART / DELIRIUM

Call 15/112 if:

  • Chest pain, feeling unwell, palpitations + distress

  • Hyperthermia (feeling very hot), confusion, extreme agitation

  • Convulsions

  • Severe delirium/paranoia + danger (to self/others)

  • Confusion that does not subside, severe disorientation

IMMEDIATE DANGER

Call 15/112 if:

  • Person in immediate danger (violence, threat, confinement)

  • Loss of control + inability to protect oneself

  • Suspected sexual assault + worrying medical condition (bleeding, pain, confusion, amnesia)

  • Person alone and unable to get to safety

What to do immediately:

  • Recovery position (PLS)

  • Clear the airways, do not give anything to drink

  • Say flatly over the phone: “suspected GHB/GBL + unresponsive / worrying breathing”

What to do:

  • Keep calm, reduce stimuli, careful hydration if conscious

  • Cool down if overheating (breeze, damp cloth) without sudden shock

  • Secure the environment

What to do:

  • Get to a safe place, ask for help, do not remain isolated

  • Post-exposure care depending on the situation
    (PEP ≤ 72 h / HIV risk)

Objective

  • Address the underestimation:  call early.

  • Provide a simple guideline: “you see X → you do Y”.

Duration: 3–5 minutes.


Rule 1 (simple)

If you are wondering “should we call?” → that in itself is a good reason to call.

Rule 2 (first aid steps)

  • Do not leave the person alone

  • Put them in the recovery position (PLS) if they are drowsy / vomiting

  • Monitor breathing and ability to be woken up

  • Call 15/112 if you are in serious doubt


GHB/GBL
(depressants)

STIMULANTS
(meth/cathinones/cocaine)

SAFETY / VIOLENCE / TRAUMA

RISK OF COMA

Call 15/112 if:

  • Unconscious or very difficult to wake up

  • Slow / irregular / noisy / abnormal breathing

  • Vomiting + drowsiness (risk of choking)

  • Rapid deterioration, cold/clammy skin, cyanosis

OVERHEATING / HEART / DELIRIUM

Call 15/112 if:

  • Chest pain, feeling unwell, palpitations + distress

  • Hyperthermia (feeling very hot), confusion, extreme agitation

  • Convulsions

  • Severe delirium/paranoia + danger (to self/others)

  • Confusion that does not subside, severe disorientation

IMMEDIATE DANGER

Call 15/112 if:

  • Person in immediate danger (violence, threat, confinement)

  • Loss of control + inability to protect oneself

  • Suspected sexual assault + worrying medical condition (bleeding, pain, confusion, amnesia)

  • Person alone and unable to get to safety

What to do immediately:

  • Recovery position (PLS)

  • Clear the airways, do not give anything to drink

  • Say flatly over the phone: “suspected GHB/GBL + unresponsive / worrying breathing”

What to do:

  • Keep calm, reduce stimuli, careful hydration if conscious

  • Cool down if overheating (breeze, damp cloth) without sudden shock

  • Secure the environment

What to do:

  • Get to a safe place, ask for help, do not remain isolated

  • Post-exposure care depending on the situation
    (PEP ≤ 72 h / HIV risk)

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