Alcohol and drug support
Drugs and alcohol can change the way you think, feel, and act — especially when it comes to sex.
They can lower your inhibitions and make it harder to think clearly, which might lead you to make choices you wouldn’t normally make.
Sometimes they make you feel more confident, but that confidence can lead to risky decisions. For example:
- You might have sex you didn’t plan for.
- You could forget to use contraception or condoms, which increases the risk of pregnancy or STIs.
Knowing the risks helps you stay in control and make safer choices.
What does sexual consent mean?
Consent is when someone chooses to say yes and has the freedom and ability to make that choice.
If someone is drunk or high, their ability to give consent is affected. Alcohol and drugs can also make it harder to notice signals like body language or hesitation.
If a person is too drunk or high to understand what’s happening, they cannot give consent.
In the UK, having sex with someone who is too intoxicated to consent is considered sexual assault.
Too much alcohol can mess with your sex life.
Drinking a lot can lower your sexual sensitivity and make it harder for your body to respond.
You might:
- Struggle to get or keep an erection
- Find it harder to orgasm
- Notice your sex drive drop
Long-term heavy drinking can even lead to impotence (not being able to get an erection or orgasm).
And if you regularly drink more than the UK guideline of 14 units a week, it can also affect your fertility.
Noticing a problem is the first step.
If you think drugs or alcohol are affecting your sex life or relationships, you’re not alone — and there’s lots of help out there.
- NHS Alcohol Support – Tips and contacts for support.
- NHS Drug Support – Understand addiction and how to get help.
- Alcohol Change UK – Good alcohol resources.
- Frank – Government website with drug information –
- Drugs & Me – A harm reduction focused site about alcohol and other drugs.
- Rehab 4 Addiction – This Free resource offers a compassionate, easy-to-navigate guide to addiction recovery, helping individuals and their loved ones understand treatment options, set realistic goals, and access ongoing support
- Y-Smart – Substance Misuse, Advice, Recovery, Treatment support and advice for young people, parents, families and professionals.
- Local services in Devon & Torbay – Check the “More Information” section for details.
Getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness. You deserve support.
