Netnography of crystal meth use in sexual practices among men who have sex with men: Narratives in digital communities

Abstract

Aim: To explore narratives surrounding crystal meth use during sexual practices among Mexican men who have sex with men (MSM), based on digital content from YouTube channels. 

Methodology: Qualitative study using a netnographic approach and critical discourse analysis. A digital mapping of YouTube videos on chemsex among Mexican men who have sex with men was conducted. Six videos were selected for the final analysis, totaling 5 hours, 31 minutes, and 26 seconds of retrieved content. 

Results: The analysis identified a polarization into two distinct narratives. The Testimonial Narrative (from rehabilitation centers) is moralistic and coercive, framing addiction as a moral failure and pathologizing HSH behavior as a temporary symptom. The Counter-discourse (from harm reduction and public health) is based on evidence and risk management; it rejects moralism and criticizes the term chemsex as a stigmatizing import, promoting peer self-care instead. 

Discussion: The tension between both narratives shows that the central issue is not solely crystal meth use, but the clash between moralistic models that deny the subject’s agency and a counter-narrative that seeks to contextualize chemsex without stigma. The absence of harm-reduction public policies and the predominance of anexos as a social response in Mexico create a gap that leaves the experiences of MSM trapped between coercive moralism and the lack of evidence-based, rights-oriented care alternatives.