A qualitative insight into the experience of slamming: A focus group study in western France (2026)

BACKGROUND: Slamming refers to the injection of psychoactive substances in a sexual context and has been developing in Europe since the late 2000s. It typically involves the use of psychostimulants such as cathinones, cocaine, or methamphetamine. The experience of individuals in slamming has rarely been studied through group interviews. This study aimed to describe the experience of slamming from the users' perspectives through focus groups.
METHODS: Four focus groups were conducted. Groups included 3-5 participants, for a total of 16 individuals recruited via healthcare centres, community-based centres, bars, gay saunas and social media platforms. A reflexive thematic analysis was carried out following Braun and Clarke's iterative process, allowing for a rich description of the dynamics associated with slamming.
RESULTS: Four themes were generated: an addictive process, the experience of sexuality, the social dimension of slamming, and emotional intensity. Together, these themes highlight how slamming is motivated by the pursuit of pleasure and social connection, while also functioning as a coping strategy for emotional distress and being associated with intense bodily sensations and addiction-related dynamics.
CONCLUSION: This study highlights the complex psychosocial dimensions of slamming and underscores the need for comprehensive care integrating addiction treatment and psychiatric support, as well as the importance of community-based approaches. [Author's abstract]
Highlights:
Focus groups describe slamming practices from users’ lived experiences.
Four core themes reveal psychosocial and sexual dynamics of slamming.
Users express ambivalence between pleasure, risk, and social isolation.
Emotional drivers behind slamming initiation were identified via reflexive thematic analysis.
Results support tailored, community-based harm reduction interventions.