To better understand the risks and possible ways of confrontation, CBN listened to psychiatrist Arthur Guerra, coordinator of the Syrian-Lebanese Hospital Drugs and Alcohol Center, and João Geraldo Neto, a specialist in sexuality, social mobilizer and creator of Chatbot Synô, a platform focused on damage in chemical practices.
‘We are facing a serious problem that already represents a concrete challenge in health services. In a clinic where I work, from 16 hospitalized patients, three are there for directly related to Chemsex, ‘reported Dr. Arthur Guerra.
‘Chemsex’ practice grows in Brazil and worries experts for risks to mental and physical health/Photo: Reproduction
According to the psychiatrist, the use of substances such as methamphetamine, GHB (known as “liquid ecstasy”) and other stimulating and depressing drugs aims to intensify sexual sensations, but can generate rapid dependence, aggravated by emotional reasons and previous depression, anxiety or social insulation.
‘Some people look for these drugs as an emotional cane. There is intense but short pleasure, followed by emptiness, frustration and willingness to repeat. This ends up becoming a cycle of compulsion, ‘said Guerra.
João Geraldo Neto, who has been working with hiv and sexuality for years, explains that the growth of practice is especially among men who have sex with men and is strongly linked to the use of private meetings and parties. To serve this population, he developed Chatbot Synô, accessible via WhatsApp and trained to offer information and welcome in Portuguese, Spanish and English.
‘Synô is a 24 -hour robot and guides harm reduction, identifying, for example, dangerous combinations of substances or risk signs in the emojis used in applications. It is a way to inform, welcome and guide without judgment, ‘explained João.
Chatbot Synô can be accessed for free at (62) 98111-8873via WhatsApp. You can also find it from Instagram from the Multiverse Institute (@multiverseinstuto), where the direct link is available to Bio.
João points out that the institute adopts a pragmatic approach. ‘Some people don’t want to stop using. We do not encourage use, but understand that, with information, it is possible to reduce damage, avoid overdoses and preserve lives, ‘he added.
