Italy faces gaps in chemsex and STI prevention

chemsex drug addiction infectious diseases public health synthetic drugs

A national survey by FeDerSerD has highlighted critical gaps in Italy's response to 'chemsex'—the intentional use of psychoactive substances to facilitate or prolong sexual encounters. The study, presented at a national congress in Naples, reveals that the phenomenon remains under-investigated and that prevention for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is insufficiently structured.

Key findings from the survey of 390 addiction service professionals (SerD) indicate a significant lack of integration between addiction services and specialized STI centers. Specifically, 68.5% of SerD facilities lack formalized collaborations with territorial STI centers. Furthermore, over 56% of these services do not utilize structured sexual history taking or counseling, leaving many users at high risk for infectious diseases without adequate personalized prevention or diagnosis.

Entities

FeDerSerD · Fondazione GIMBE · Italy · SIPaD

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Nearly 50% of patients admitted for drug-related issues present with substance-induced psychosis.
[● 2 SOURCES] 68.5% of SerD services lack formalized collaborations with specialized STI centers. www.technoblitz.it · lecodellitorale.it
[○ 1 SOURCE] 92 new psychoactive substances were identified in Italy during 2025.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Italy faces a shortage of nearly 1,900 healthcare professionals compared to required standards.
[● 2 SOURCES] Over 56% of SerD services do not use structured sexual history or counseling. www.technoblitz.it · lecodellitorale.it
[○ 1 SOURCE] Emergency room admissions for substance-related conditions increased by 15% compared to the previous year.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Minors account for 10% of patients involved in drug-related hospital admissions.