The Normalization of Leisure Sex and Recreational Drugs: Exploring Associations Between Polydrug Use and Sexual Practices by English Festival-Goers

The relationship between drug use and sexual practice is complex. Significant focus has been placed on risky practices, yet the broader associations activities remain elusive outside such contexts. This despite similar trends of liberalizing attitudes practices being identified in each area, theorized as normalization recreational liberalization consensual practice. In this article, we draw convenience sample surveys 966 festival-goers at an English music festival 2016 2019 to assess prevalence polydrug examine whether people who consume illicit drugs are more likely engage behaviors considered liberal than traditional norm. We show that reported last 12 months were significantly non-traditional behaviors, including sex with a friend anal sex, same time period. combining comparing two usually distinct discourses, exploratory study suggests related can be conceptualized part societal acceptance cultural accommodation particular leisure activities, markedly different policy legal contexts for activity. conclude concept “normalization” may appropriate understanding changes sexuality “liberalization” context “leisure sex” call further cross-disciplinary research using approach.