Abstract
Introduction: Chemsex, a recent and complex phenomenon, is increasingly recognized as a public health issue. However, limited data exists on its prevalence and specific characteristics in France. This national survey aims to fill this gap by gathering knowledge on the prevalence of chemsex, the characteristics of individuals involved, the most commonly used substances, and their health effects through a collaboration involving multiple toxicology laboratories under the auspices of the French Society of Analytical Toxicology (SFTA). Methods: A call for participation was issued by the SFTA to all French toxicology laboratories and society members to report cases of chemsex identified between 2018 and 2023. The data collection period lasted for one month, and collected information included gender, age, origin, context (intoxication, deaths, Drug facilitated sexual assault DFSA, addiction, driving under the influence of drugs DUID), identified substances, routes of administration, symptoms, and observed concentrations. The collected data were then analyzed using Microsoft Power BI Desktop software (v.2.118.828.0) for data visualization. Results: A total of 232 chemsex cases were reported by 19 laboratories from 14 regions in France. The cases predominantly involved males (n = 222). The age of individuals ranged from 14 to 66 years (median: 35, mean: 37). Ninety cases of intoxication were reported, with common symptoms such as coma, loss of consciousness, agitation, and tachycardia. Fifty deaths (15% of cases) related to chemsex were recorded. The most frequently identified substances were cathinones, GHB, cocaine, MDMA, and erectile dysfunction drugs (sildenafil). The results highlight a significant increase in the number of chemsex cases over time, indicating the growing magnitude of this phenomenon. Additionally, an emergence of chemsex-related products in contexts such as chemical submission and driving under the influence was observed. Conclusion: This national study on chemsex provides valuable data and emphasizes the need to raise awareness among the general public, healthcare professionals, and policymakers regarding the risks associated with chemsex and its impact on the physical and mental health of individuals involved. Furthermore, legislation concerning driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) should be revised to include the new synthetic drugs commonly used in chemsex. A holistic approach involving collaboration among healthcare professionals, authorities, and civil society seems essential to address this emerging public health challenge.