Hard drug use at Arnhem's sex parties escalates, addiction services struggle to keep up
Hard drug use during sex parties is on the rise in Arnhem, particularly among gay and bisexual men and transgender people, according to addiction care provider IrisZorg. The organization has identified the city as a hotspot for chemsex, a trend involving drugs like crystal meth (Tina), XTC, and 3MMC to enhance or prolong sexual activities, Omroep Gelderland reports. As the demand for support increases, IrisZorg is expanding its services in response to what it describes as a “severe and growing need.”
Chemsex, which often takes place in private homes, has also been reported at the largest gay sauna in Arnhem. Multiple anonymous sources told Omroep Gelderland that drug use occurs openly at the sauna, with syringes found in restrooms. The use of injection drugs, known as “slamming,” is becoming more common, raising concerns about addiction and health risks.
“The combination of drugs, boundary-pushing sex, and tension is so extreme. You get used to it very quickly and need more and more to feel that same kick,” Raymond Brugman, a chemsex specialist at IrisZorg, told Omroep Gelderland.
IrisZorg has seen a sharp increase in clients seeking help for chemsex-related issues, with the organization already receiving half the number of requests it recorded in all of 2024. Brugman and his colleague Geke Nijsse say many of these clients are in severe physical and mental distress, with some arriving with infections or open wounds from repeated injections.
“We see men who are badly injured. But mostly, they just want to tell their story. We offer a safe space for that,” Brugman said.
The organization believes the numbers they are seeing only represent a small portion of those affected, with Brugman describing the issue as “a bubble you get pulled into” and “the tip of the iceberg.”
Currently, there are just two specialized chemsex clinics in the Netherlands, both in the Randstad region. IrisZorg, which had previously only served Arnhem and Nijmegen, is now expanding due to increased demand from other cities in the eastern Netherlands. “The need in eastern Netherlands is high. We’re being asked to help in multiple cities,” Brugman said.
LGBTQ+ advocacy group COC Midden-Gelderland has also raised alarms about the risks associated with chemsex. Angelo Harbeek, who struggled with addiction for a decade, warned of the vulnerability of individuals involved in these parties.
“At chemsex parties, your personal boundaries are pushed. It’s a very vulnerable situation, and sexually transmitted infections spread extremely fast,” Harbeek told Omroep Gelderland. “In the gay community, one in four uses drugs the first time they have sex. You also see on gay dating apps that drug use has become the norm,” Harbeek added.
At the largest gay sauna in the Netherlands, located in Arnhem, syringes have reportedly been found in the sauna's restrooms. Owner Arold Dingemans confirmed the presence of injecting needles. “Sometimes people come in already under the influence or use drugs here. We’ve found syringes in two restrooms,” Dingemans told Omroep Gelderland.
In response, the sauna has installed blue lighting in restrooms to make it more difficult for users to locate veins. However, Dingemans emphasized that as a business owner, there is little he can do to stop the behavior entirely.
“People try all sorts of things in secret. When we catch them, we speak to them. And if someone is totally out of it, I make sure they’re not left alone until they can communicate again,” Dingemans said. “But as a business owner, there’s very little I can do to stop it.”
Both the police and local government declined to comment on reports of drug use at the sauna, citing concerns about traceability. However, they urged the public to report such activity.
To meet the rising demand for care, IrisZorg is expanding its chemsex treatment team and increasing its focus on prevention. Meanwhile, COC emphasizes the need for aftercare support for individuals recovering from addiction. “After detoxing, you’re often left to deal with it alone,” Harbeek said.
