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Description

This presentation explores the pre-treatment landscape of chemsex, focusing on what is happening outside of treatment, how clients arrive in care, and why repeated treatment episodes are common. Drawing on clinical experience with LGBTQ+ clients, the talk examines current community and behavioral trends, the psychological and relational factors that drive escalation, and the ways clients typically present when chemsex has become clinically significant. Particular attention will be given to shame, intimacy difficulties, minority stress, trauma, and social or relational breakdown as contributors to treatment entry. The presentation will also address recidivism, including how unresolved underlying issues and environmental re-exposure can contribute to relapse and return to care. Attendees will gain a clearer framework for understanding the pathway into treatment and identifying earlier intervention opportunities.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify key community, behavioral, and psychosocial trends contributing to chemsex-related treatment presentations.

  • Describe common pathways by which clients progress from chemsex involvement outside treatment to clinical admission, including typical presenting concerns and co-occurring issues.

  • Explain factors associated with recurrence, relapse, and repeated treatment entry among clients with chemsex-related problems.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this presentation is to increase awareness and clinical competency with chemsex affected clients.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Rory Hunter, LPCC, LMFT, is Clinical Director of La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center. He drives the mission across its spectrum of clinical services, including detox, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and family programs. He is responsible for oversight of all clinical activities, including day-to-day operations, treatment protocols, governmental compliance, staff management and training, the development of LGTBQIA2S+-specific curriculum, and direct crisis intervention with clients. He also works with La Fuente senior management on strategic planning, new program launches, and performance improvement. Originally from the UK, Rory started at La Fuente in 2021, was promoted to Clinical Lead in 2022 and then to Clinical Director in 2023. Rory’s expertise in substance abuse is complemented by in-depth knowledge of co-occurring mental health disorders, particularly sexual compulsion, which is often inextricably linked with drug use among gay men. He is a vocal social justice advocate for marginalized communities, previously serving as Therapist at the Southern California Counseling Center, which provides low-cost mental health services to economically disadvantaged populations and working at a specialized school for children with autism. With a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Rory is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). He is also currently working towards his Certified Sex Addiction Therapist credential and is currently a CSAT Candidate. He also runs his own private psychotherapy practice.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Sero Mental Health: Breathe Life Healing Center