Study looks at sexual violence occurring while participants were using drugs

     The nonmedical use of prescription opioids (POs) has become an area of increasing public health concern in the United States and rates of use are particularly high among young adults. In the past decade, an emerging "epidemic" of nonmedical PO use has been reported. Among young adults, self-reported use is 11% and overdose deaths involving POs now exceed deaths involving heroin and cocaine combined. Sexual violence is also a serious problem in the United States receiving increased national attention, and the relationship between substance use and sexual violence is well supported in the literature.

Despite the importance of these problems, there is a dearth of research on sexual violence within the context of drug use among young adult opioid users. Now, a mixed methods study, "Sexual Violence in the Context of Drug Use among Young Adult Opioid Users in New York City," published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, explores young adult opioid users' experiences of sexual violence as it relates to their drug use.

Pedro Mateu-Gelabert, PhD, Principal Investigator at NDRI and affiliate of New York University's Center for Drug Use and HIV Research (CDUHR), sought to identify the potential role of drug use in increasing risk of sexual violence among young adult opioid users in New York City, and to identify the specific social and contextual factors surrounding this group's experiences of sexual violence.

"Participants reported experiencing frequent incidents of sexual violence as well as knowing many peers who had similar experiences," said Mateu-Gelabert. "Many participants described negative sexual perceptions ascribed to opioid users and their own internalized stigma. They also reported exchanges of sex for drugs or money that increased their risk for sexual violence. We found that the drug-using context facilitated victimization of users who were unconscious or semi-conscious as a result of using drugs."

One hundred and sixty-four young adults (ages 18-29) who reported lifetime heroin and/or nonmedical PO use completed structured assessments that inquired about their drug use and sexual behavior and included questions specific to sexual violence. The researchers noted a striking finding -- 41% of females and 11% of males reported being forced to have sex without their consent while they were using drugs. The research also found that there was a quid pro quo expectation surrounding sex and drug use. In the structured interviews, 57% of participants reported having been in situations in which they felt that someone expected them to have sex because they were using drugs together. Forty-nine percent of males and 73% of females reported this happening at least once.

"When drugs were provided free of cost to potential partners, there was an expectation that those receiving the drugs would provide sexual favors in return," notes Lauren Jessell, LMSW, lead author of the paper. "Many users described fulfilling these implicit quid pro quo expectations with mostly men who have sex with men (MSM) and female users providing sexual favors to males who provided them with drugs."

Participants were at increased risk for sexual victimization when these expectations were unmet and when those seeking sex did not receive the sexual favors from drug users they felt entitled to. These findings describe a social setting in which the use of opioids and other drugs is conducive to sexual violence. Service providers and educators should address and challenge sexual coercion in the context of drug exchanges and the negative sexual characteristics assigned to drug users.

"The drug using context described by the young adult opioid users in our study -- most of whom initiated opioid use as teens with the nonmedical use of POs -- appears to facilitate sexual violence," said Mateu-Gelabert. "This suggests that prevention efforts should not only target the general public, but opioid and other drug users as well, with the message that sexual violence is never okay, regardless of how high a user might be. Our hope is that this work will contribute to the growing national conversation on sexual violence."





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Picture of mother breastfeeding friend's son and her own child causes controversy

Jessica Anne Colletti breastfeeds both her own son (on the right) and her friend's son (on the left), while her friend works

Breastfeeding is seen as something that can create a special bond between mother and baby. But a picture posted on Facebook by a 26-year-old mother from Pennsylvania is causing controversy on social media.

It shows Jessica Anne Colletti breastfeeding her 16-month-old son Lucian - and Mateo, the 18-month-old son of her friend Charlie Interrante, at the same time.

In an accompanying post, Colletti wrote:

“Happy World Breastfeeding Week!

“I watch her son while she works and have been feeding them both for a year! So much love between these milk siblings, it's a special bond between us all.”

Colletti has been breastfeeding her friend’s son since he was five months old and he didn’t take to drinking formula. She was already breastfeeding her own son and said it ‘made sense’ to include her friend’s child.

Interrante is happy with the arrangement and told the New York Daily News that she was grateful: “She knew I was in pain every day,” she said. “She’s the best mum I’ve ever known. I don't trust many people with my son."  How the billion pound formula industry hijacked breastfeeding

 A mother has been criticised for breastfeeding her friend's son from five months old (posed by models)

The friends met almost a year ago at a photo session for new mothers. Last month, Interrante, 25, and her husband moved in with Colletti and her husband Ben.

But their unique family unit and ‘milk siblings’ arrangement has divided opinion on social media. Colletti’s original post - which now appears to have been deleted - had more than 700 likes and attracted mixed comments.

“This looks like a porn film,” wrote one man.

“What the hell is wrong with people?!” added a woman.

Some mothers have questioned the concept of ‘double breastfeeding’.

Others have defended the image

An anonymous user said: “Why do people get so worked up over this? Is it they can’t separate the breasts from the function of breasts?”

Another added, “How can it be ‘gross’ for a baby to drink another woman’s milk but not gross to drink a cow or sheep’s milk?”

“I wish that I could like this a million times!” said one user.

Many pointed out that women often relied on wet nurses in the past to help save their babies lives.

Colletti has dismissed suggestions that there is anything sexual about their ‘family unit’, saying that critics are wrongly sexualising the natural and ‘beautiful’ act of breastfeeding. She added that many people are ‘misinformed’ due to the lack of breastfeeding images in the media and our everyday lives.

The World health Organisation (WHO) recommends that breast milk from a ‘healthy wet nurse’ is one of the best available alternatives to milk from a baby’s own mother.



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The Sexual Problem, Determined & Solution for Gents!

 sexual problem

What are the reason by which male can be attracted by sexual problem?

 

Sexual health is definitely an important a part of a man’s life, no matter his age group, civil reputation, or sexual orientation. Additionally it is an important a part of a couple’s footing and plays a role in the quality of life. The difficulty of sex in men has become general together with impact sexual fitness. Many problems is usually treated and so it will be important to get a man to debate these complaints about a physicians.
The meaning of sexual dysfunction could be the inability to experience a satisfactory sexual relationship. This definition depends upon each model’s own interpretation on which he idol judges satisfactory. On the whole, sexual dysfunction make a difference to the grade of life in addition to, even furthermore, can really do the first sign of one more medical along with psychological issue. Any sexual complaint has to be taken significantly and screened.

What could be the physiology connected with sexual operate?

Sexual practice consists of coordination concerning numerous devices about

the physique. Hormones along with neurological pathways has to be in connect for sexual strive to be present. Leading to tinnitus, nerves, and male member integrity need to all show up for a sufficient erection and maintenance through the sexual relationship. Muscles along with nerves put together ejaculation achieved if the physiological lobby for orgasm (from these testicles exists. Orgasm is often a complex phenomenon it is simply not necessarily completely understood but it really involves that coordination linked to muscles in conjunction with nerves. When sexual dysfunction exists, the health practitioner must evaluate all the possible problems in this chain connected with events

Precisely how are sexual problems with men clinically determined?

Evaluation connected with sexual malfunction starts which have a detailed professional medical, sexual, along with psychological background, followed with a thorough actual physical examination. The second step should not be overlooked simply because sexual dysfunction can offer many will cause. Sometimes, the patient’s partner also can contribute to the evaluation and might provide valuable information also.
A thorough medical, emotional, and sexual history is usually acquired through the interview with all the physician. Some of the questions which have been asked is usually intimate along with might make you feel bashful to reply thoroughly. It is imperative to offer the appropriate information, though it is simple to comprehend that usually it takes time to be comfortable dealing with this. Developing a good relationship along with your physician is actually helpful.
Some of the questions your doctor could request might concern the rate of recurrence of sexual relations, your current sexual inclination, if this frequency as well as quality connected with sexual relations are enjoyable, and your number of sexual associates, among others. They are going to also find out regarding nonsexual-related claims.

The finish physical examination is actually conducted which includes evaluating your pulses from the legs in addition to a thorough study of the outdoor genitalia (penis, scrotum, along using perineum) with their reflexes.
On the list of possible tests is a nocturnal tumescence test to gauge nocturnal erections. Your personal doctor might also ask for tests intended for penile blood vessels vessel function or many tests on the nervous system to aid differentiate in between possible factors behind sexual malfunction

 What could be the treatment intended for sexual troubles in adult males?

Your skin therapy plan depends greatly around the precise reason behind the concern. If what causes it is emotional, help coming from a psychiatrist as well as psychologist can assist. The mentioned therapy in this case will end up being cognitive behavior therapy. Sometimes the therapy will contain couples treatment. If the explanation for the receded libido is usually pharmacological, you can consult your personal doctor and ask if she or he can propose remedies without sexual negative effects. Your skin therapy plan depends greatly around the precise reason behind the concern.