Drugs, Alcohol, and Consent

In our current culture of drinking as a main form of socializing, alcohol plays a large role in many social gatherings. These include parties, bars, and clubs—popular locations for adults to have fun and engage in sexual activities. Liquid courage is easily understood by any person that has gained that massive boost of self confidence, all thanks to a couple of drinks. This is because alcohol can reduce our inhibitions and increase our social behaviours. However, in doing so, it can also reduce our self-awareness and make it difficult to read social cues. It is for this reason that establishing consent is especially important in these kinds of environments.

So, in a place where everyone is drinking and “having fun”, how do we establish consent? It is important to understand that while consent can be established between two individuals that have been drinking, consent is best established when all parties involved are sober. But, this cannot always be the case since it is normal for people to engage in sexual activities when drinking. This reality is important to keep in mind when taking a harm reduction approach to sex and substance use. When it comes to engaging in sexual activity under the influence, the rules of consent remain non-negotiable.

There is a significant difference between being tipsy and being incapacitated. A person can give consent under the influence if they are still able to make informed decisions free from both pressure and coercion. However, if a person is incapacitated from drugs or alcohol, they are incapable of giving consent. Signs of incapacitation include an inability to walk without assistance, confusion, an inability to speak coherently, and passing out. If one or both parties involved show signs of being incapacitated, consent is not being given and sexual activity should stop immediately. Initiating or continuing sexual activities under these circumstances is considered sexual assault.