Butt Chugging, Social Implications, Effects, Dangers, Overdose & Treatment

What Is Butt Chugging?

Butt Chugging drugs are sometimes also referred to as plugging drugs. It is the process of inserting drugs or alcohol into your anus to get a more immediate high. The anal cavity has a high number of blood vessels and a thinner surface layer, substances inserted into this area are absorbed in a faster rate than with oral consumption. People can ‘boof’ several different drugs, including cocaine, MDMA, and alcohol, but there are several dangers of Butt Chugging drugs – it could even be fatal. 

Butt Chugging is slang and not a technical or scientific term. And like so many other drug-related activities, Butt Chugging also goes by some other names such as: 

The reason someone ‘boofs’ is to get high or drunk faster and to experience a more intense high. If you’re an addict, you may want the quickest, most efficient way to get drugs into your system. This would ordinarily be intravenous. But if that’s not an option (dangerous, intimidating, leaves behind noticeable track marks), then the runner-up is Butt Chugging.

This particular entry point allows drugs or alcohol to bypass the digestive system. As a result, the body skips the process of ingesting and breaking down the substance (like when you eat food or drink a beverage) and instead enters the bloodstream much faster. Someone Butt Chugging may use a syringe (without the needle), rubber tubing, a funnel, or even a tampon soaked in alcohol to absorb a drug or alcohol into their body.

The effects usually come on within minutes and can last for hours, but this can vary, depending on the substance used. Keep in mind that there isn’t much quality research around this, so the exact time isn’t clear. When it comes to the onset time for methamphetamine, some researchers defer to an estimate of 3 to 5 minutes by Tweaker, a harm reduction resource for queer men who use the drug. 

Regardless of how you ingest it, meth’s effects generally last for hours. For heroin, an older 2004 clinical study suggested the onset time of Butt Chugging is comparable to that of injection, which is known to rapidly deliver effects.

Social Implications

Some people say the high from Butt Chugging may be felt more in your torso or limbs, versus the head-rush often associated with smoking.

Others (including heterosexual, cisgender men) also experience arousal. Some — but not all, by any means — may feel shame due to widespread stigma around anal pleasure. The long history of demonizing what’s been called “sodomy” obscures the fact that the prostate lends itself towards this arousal.

Some particularly enjoy Butt Chugging because of the unique arousal it can offer in the context of sex parties. This is the case for those in the chemsex and so-called party ‘n’ play (PnP) scenes, spaces of mostly queer men or transgender women and their partners. Butt Chugging might also cause some discomfort, irritation, or pain if the syringe isn’t properly lubricated.

The Effects Of Butt Chugging Drugs

Because the rate of absorption is faster with Butt Chugging, the effects are more substantial.  That makes Butt Chugging especially dangerous. It’s easy to take too much. Someone’s typical oral dose becomes more intense when taken from the anal. So, the possibility of overdose increases. And besides the potentially fatal outcome of an overdose, the effects of Butt Chugging can lead to other medical conditions.   

Damage To The Rectum And Intestines

The tissue and membranes in and around the rectum are thin and delicate, making them susceptible to damage. Butt Chugging can cause tears to the area, leaving a person vulnerable to infection, blocked blood flow to the intestines, cellular death, bloody stool, an inability to control their bowels, an increased sensation of needing to go to the bathroom, and more. In severe cases, Butt Chugging can also lead to requiring a colostomy. A colostomy is a surgical procedure that reroutes part of the colon to an artificial opening in the abdomen wall to bypass a damaged part of the colon.

Infection

Butt Chugging, like any mode of administering drugs, bears the risk of damaging the orifice in question; here, the anus. You can accidentally tear the internal tissue of your anus, according to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Tweaker, which may be accompanied by pain and bleeding. As a result, there’s the risk of contracting an infection, like HIV, hepatitis C, and the chlamydia-related lymphogranuloma venereum.

Increased Risk Of An STD/STI

Because the rectum and anus are such sensitive areas, Butt Chugging can lead to an increased risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or sexually transmitted infection (STI). In addition, if the protective membranes and tissues are damaged, the body has less of a defense against contagious diseases contracted through sexual activity.

Greater Risk Of Overdose And Alcohol Poisoning

The most dangerous outcome from Butt Chugging is overdosing. Someone who used to take a certain amount of a drug orally may not realize that the same amount absorbed through the anus could have a much more intense effect. As with any overdose, death becomes a genuine possibility.

And when it comes to Butt Chugging alcohol, there are some additional concerns around alcohol poisoning. First, unlike the digestive system, the anus doesn’t have enzymes to break down alcohol. 

This means the effects of alcohol are felt all at once as it’s broken down in the intestines. Plus, the body has no defense against alcohol poisoning when absorbed in this way. So, if someone may begin to vomit if they’ve had too much to drink, with Butt Chugging, the digestive system has been bypassed so that that natural bodily response doesn’t happen. 

Addiction Treatment 

There is an alternative to Butt Chugging, though. It looks like not using drugs or alcohol at all, but we know how hard that choice can be. Nearly every employee at We Level Up is also an alum, so we’ve been where you’ve been. And we can tell you with certainty; things are better on this side of things. So, if you’re thinking about quitting drugs and alcohol or are ready now, we can help. Our 30-Day Residential Program kickstarts a way of life that means total freedom from addiction. And no amount of Butt Chugging can compete with that.

Getting Help After Overdosing Over Butt Chugging

The dangers of Butt Chugging drugs could be fatal. If you or someone you know has engaged in butt-chugging or boofed alcohol and is showing signs of overdose, it is essential to get immediate medical attention. This can be life-threatening, so get into the hospital or treatment as quickly as possible. Likewise, if your loved one has just started Butt Chugging alcohol, our alcohol addiction treatment in Florida could save their life.

Butt Chugging is a strong sign of alcohol use disorder, this practice can cause major health, social, and even economic problems that should not be taken lightly. We Level Up California can provide you, or someone you love, the tools to recover from drug addiction with professional and safe treatment. Feel free to call us to speak with one of our counselors. We can inform you about this practice by giving you relevant information. Our specialists know what you are going through. Please know that each call is private and confidential.