Come Down & Relapse: Understanding the Descent and Relapse after Chemsex

What are Come Down and Relapse?

After the euphoria, chaos. The Come Down is the inevitable backlash after a chemsex session. It’s the moment when drugs leave your system, leaving you facing a physical and emotional void. It’s a phase of great vulnerability that can sometimes lead to Relapse.

The Come Down: Forced Landing

The come down is the inverted and distorted mirror of the high. All the positive feelings you experienced under the influence of drugs turn into their opposite:

What are the physical effects of Come Down?

• Physically: You are exhausted, but often unable to sleep. Your body is sore, you may have headaches, nausea, tremors. Every sound, every light can become an aggression.

What are the mental effects of Come Down?

• Mentally: It’s the deluge. Anxiety, paranoia, irritability, deep sadness, feelings of shame or regret… You can feel incredibly alone, even if you are surrounded. Dark thoughts loop, and the urge to consume again to silence this inner turmoil is omnipresent.

What is the duration of the Come Down?

The duration and intensity of the come down depend on the products consumed, the quantities, and your own sensitivity. A 3-MMC come down can last a day, while a crystal meth come down can extend over several days of pure discomfort.

Relapse: The Vicious Cycle

The term Relapse is used in both French and English. It is the act of returning to drug use after a period of abstinence, whether chosen or forced. The come down is a major trigger for relapse. To escape the suffering of the come down, the simplest solution seems to be to take another dose. This is the beginning of a vicious cycle: you consume to escape the come down, which only prepares for an even more violent come down, which in turn will reinforce the urge to consume.

How to manage Relapse?

Relapse is not a sign of weakness, but a characteristic of addiction. If you are in a process of stopping or controlling your consumption, a relapse can happen. The important thing is not to see it as a total failure. You must try to understand what triggered it and ask for help to avoid falling back into it. Associations and health professionals are there to support you, without judgment, and to help you break this cycle.