Party Proud & Safe this Pride

This July, Prism, the new face of Bristol’s LGBT+ Alcohol & Drug Support service, will be attending Bristol Pride to help you party proud and safe!

Launched in June, Prism is brought to you by the team at Bristol Drugs Project, who this year are celebrating 30 years of supporting people in Bristol around their substance use.

Prism believe that the better understanding you have of the pleasures and risks associated with alcohol and drugs, the more you can make informed decisions about what you do. To help they’re raising awareness of some of the risks so you can reduce them.

Risk Vs Pleasure

•        Alcohol: Guidelines for men and women are now 14 units a week. Heavy drinking sessions increase the risks of injuries and illness, leading more people to A&E than any other drug. To stay safe stick with your friends. Avoid drinking in rounds. Drink slowly, with food and alternate with water.

·         Crystal Meth (Tina): A powerful stimulant that can make you feel disinhibited and aroused. People can experience problems from poor injecting techniques and risky sexual practices. Staying awake for days on end can result in hallucinations and psychotic episodes. If you do inject you can get clean injecting equipment and advice from the Prism drop-in.

·         Mephedrone:  A stimulant often used in a sexual context that can be snorted or injected, although it is safer to ‘bomb’ it (swallow it in a Rizla or capsule) to avoid damage to your nose or veins. People often find it difficult to moderate their Mephedrone use and will usually use it until it’s gone.

·         GHB/GBL: If you don’t know the strength of your ‘G’, be careful. There is no way, without testing, to determine its strength. GBL is about 10x stronger than GBH. Avoid frequent use as dependency occurs quickly and will require a medical detox.  Avoid mixing with alcohol.

·         MDMA: The average strength of Ecstasy has doubled over the past 5 to 10 years to around 140mg. Some brands have come in at more than twice this MDMA content. So if taking, start low with half a pill. Avoid re-dosing and mixing with other drugs or alcohol.

·         Cocaine: Mixing with alcohol creates Cocaethylene. This is toxic in the liver, raises blood pressure and increases chances of seizures, heart attacks and strokes.

·         Ketamine: Can be mistaken for or cut with MXE, which is about 8x stronger, causing panic, anxiety and short-term paralysis. To reduce the risks of blood borne viruses, avoid sharing tubes or using notes. Long term use has led to bladder problems.

·         Nitrous Oxide: The risks of inhaling too much or too quickly can be reduced by using through a balloon. Use somewhere safe with friends as you may fall or faint. Don’t use in confined spaces.

Prism also hold a weekly free and confidential drop-in, just off Old Market Street every Monday evening, where anyone can access advice, information and a range of support services, or to refer themselves into Bristol’s treatment service.

Prism: LGBT+ Alcohol & Drug Support. Mondays 5pm – 8pm. 23-25 Midland Road, Old Market Quarter, Bristol, BS2 0JT.

For more information

Tel: 07971 354 498
[email protected]
www.bdp.org.uk/prism

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