Portugal's Unique Context

Portugal is one of the few countries in the world where personal drug use has been decriminalised since 2001. Possession of small amounts for personal use results in a referral to a Comissão para a Dissuasão da Toxicodependência (CDT), not criminal prosecution. You will not be arrested or charged simply for possessing drugs you use personally.

This matters for harm reduction. Be honest with healthcare providers — they are legally and ethically prohibited from reporting personal drug use to police.

First Contact: GAT and CheckpointLX

CheckpointLX (Lisbon): checkpointlx.org / 218 870 025 GAT Porto: gat.pt

GAT staff have specific training in chemsex harm reduction. They can talk through your situation without judgment, offer harm reduction information specific to the drugs being used, help you access STI and HIV testing, refer to specialist support if you want to reduce or stop, and advise on PrEP adherence strategies during chemsex.

Emergency

Call 112 immediately if someone becomes unresponsive or cannot be roused. Tell the paramedics exactly what was taken — they cannot help effectively without this information, and personal drug use is decriminalised.

GHB/GBL

The overdose risk is real and fast. Never mix GHB/GBL with alcohol — this combination can cause respiratory depression and death. Space doses by at least 2–3 hours. If someone loses consciousness, call 112 immediately.

For the full harm reduction detail: GHB/GBL guide

Injecting (Slamming)

If drugs are being injected, never share needles, syringes, or any injecting equipment. Portugal's harm reduction services provide clean needles without judgment.

Specialist Support Services

SICAD / CAD (Centros de Aconselhamento e Detecção) Portugal's public addiction and harm reduction services — contact through the Linha Vida. Operate under the decriminalisation framework: needle exchanges, counselling, and residential treatment referrals.

Linha Vida Phone: 1414 — 24 hours, free. The national drug information and support line. Staff are not police and cannot report you.

APDES / Projeto GAT Non-governmental harm reduction projects with mobile outreach in Lisbon and Porto, including some specifically oriented toward nightlife and gay/bisexual venues. Ask GAT staff about current projects.

ILGA Portugal Phone: 213 873 918 — Psychological support team experienced with gay and bisexual men dealing with chemsex-related distress, including shame, relationship difficulties, and dependency concerns.

If You Want to Reduce or Stop

GAT/CheckpointLX — first contact for referrals, non-judgmental, will identify the right specialist service
ILGA Portugal — for the identity and relationship dimensions
Your Médico de Família — can refer to a psiquiatra or psicólogo and to addiction services; bound by confidentiality
CAD / SICAD services — for formal addiction assessment and support

PrEP During Chemsex

Daily PrEP is protective during sessions if doses are taken consistently. If you use on-demand PrEP (2+1+1), it only works when you take the pre-sex doses — this is harder to manage during extended or spontaneous sessions. If you're uncertain about your PrEP coverage after a session, talk to CheckpointLX or your prescriber about whether a PEP course is warranted.

Chemsex in Portugal: Harm Reduction and Support