Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41214669›Full record

ArticleHarm reduction journal2025

Implementation and formative evaluation of a peer-led chemsex intervention targeting sexualised crystal methamphetamine and GHB use: the M3THOD study.

Jack Freestone, Daniel Storer, Krista J Siefried, Adam Bourne, Garrett Prestage, Nadine Ezard, Lisa Maher, Robert Stirling, Bo Justin Xiao, Dean Murphy and 2 more

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Article in Harm reduction journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Jack FreestoneThe Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. j.freestone@unsw.edu.au.
Daniel StorerSchool of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Krista J SiefriedNational Centre for Clinical Research On Emerging Drugs, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Adam BourneThe Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Garrett PrestageThe Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Nadine EzardNational Centre for Clinical Research On Emerging Drugs, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Lisa MaherThe Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Robert StirlingNetwork of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies, Sydney, Australia.
Bo Justin XiaoACON, Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia.
Dean MurphySchool of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Louisa DegenhardtThe National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Mohamed HammoudThe Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who use crystal methamphetamine and gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in sexual contexts (otherwise known as chemsex) report barriers to accessing health services. Peer-led chemsex interventions may reduce barriers to care and provide meaningful therapeutic support, however, there have been few formal evaluations of such programs. M3THOD is a novel peer-led intervention based on the transtheoretical model of behaviour change comprising elements of harm reduction education, motivational interviewing and service navigation. In this formative evaluation we appraise the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of M3THOD.

methodsM3THOD aimed to support people to reduce chemsex-related harm, manage frequency of chemsex and access specialist services. The acceptability, feasibility and appropriateness of this service were assessed. We collected data from peers' field notes and conducted 33 semi-structured in-depth interviews. These were conducted with intervention clients (n = 15), eligible community members who did not receive an intervention (n = 9), M3THOD peer workers (n = 3) and their managers (n = 2) and partnering clinicians (n = 4). A thematic framework method was used to analyse data.

resultsM3THOD demonstrated acceptability among all stakeholders and was deemed appropriate, with the caveat that peer workers should be supported to operate within a framework of structured flexibility to dually ensure safety and person-centred care. Most participants reported dependence on crystal methamphetamine and desired ongoing rather than one-off peer support. M3THOD's feasibility was contingent on robust support for training, technical support, and pastoral care for peers, and strong clinical partnerships and referral pathways.

conclusionsM3THOD was valued by participants with unique information and support needs often unmet by sexual health, mental health and drug and alcohol services and reported that peers' personal experiences of chemsex facilitated rapid rapport, validated and mitigated clients' shame around chemsex. Our formative evaluation indicated that a peer intervention addressing chemsex is acceptable, appropriate, and feasible in contexts sufficiently resourced to provide substantial support for peer workers. Hiring a team of peer workers, providing training, ongoing coaching, monthly clinical supervision and establishing supportive relationships with co-located counsellors were said to enable the safe and effective delivery of this peer-led chemsex service.

Indexed as

Amphetamine-Related DisordersHomosexuality, MaleMethamphetaminePeer GroupSexual and Gender MinoritiesSodium OxybateAdultChemsexHarm ReductionHumansMaleMiddle AgedMotivational InterviewingYoung AdultMethamphetamineSodium OxybateChemsexCrystal methamphetamineFormative evaluationGay and bisexual menGHBPeer interventions

Identifiers

PMID41214669
PMCPMC12604155

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