Crystal meth doesn’t just affect the user. It affects many of the people in his circle—friends, co-workers, family, buddies, partner and boyfriend.
It can be really tough to watch someone’s quality of life go down the toilet due to meth. How much meth a friend uses is difficult to judge. It’s even tougher when it’s close to home, when it involves a co-worker who’s screwing up; or a lover who isn’t in your bed at night because of a meth binge. It can make you crazy living with half-truths, lies and deception.
It can be difficult to know the right thing to do, or what’s going to work, and what’s going to help, as well as sort out the feelings. Drawtheline.org’s Buddies program is intended to create a safe space for individuals who want to work out these challenges. We have created a structure to share information about meth and its effects, to exchange coping strategies, and ways to reduce the stress and harm for those dealing with the day-to-day consequences of crystal meth.
Join us as we use our collective experience and support to talk about what’s going on, perhaps make it a little easier to talk to that friend, partner, or family member about how meth has changed them. This will be an opportunity for you to do something to take care of yourself.
Founder and former owner of Club Eros, Buzz Bense, will host the Buddies program. Buzz has been an activist/educator for gay men's sexual health for over 15 years. He has facilitated numerous classes, workshops and community forums on gay men's sexuality. Buzz has his own personal experiences dealing with a partner and friends who have used meth. This has fueled his passion for developing resources for "friends, buddies and partners."
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Here are some of the topics that will be discussed:Our personal experience of how meth impacts us and our loved onesMeth 101: how it effects the brain, why it is so addictive, longer term effects
Why people use: sexual expectations, depression, isolation, job stress, self-esteem, etc.
Myths and misconceptions around meth use and users
Skill Development:
How and when to have that “difficult conversation” with the user through role playing
How to communicate effectively. Adapting motivational interviewing techniques for the layperson.
How to set boundaries, and take care of yourself.
Resources Available:
How to access treatment and recovery services
How to obtain personal support
Next Steps:
How to create a community of on-going support for ourselves, and in the larger gay community.
Interested?
If you are interested in finding out more or participating contact Buzz Bense at
gaymenshealth-sf@earthlink.net
Click here to download the pdf! |
