Substance use and selling sex – overlapping cycles

Misconceptions and stigma around women who use substances abound, very often based on the high standards placed on women by our society; and this stigmatisation is amplified when a woman is also involved in selling or exchanging sex. Read on to find out some of the risks and harms women can encounter.

A worker's perspective: the Scottish Drugs Forum

Substance use and selling or exchanging sex are very interconnected issues in the lives of some women. In this interview with the Scottish Drugs Forum, we find out how these issues are linked and what can services do to reduce harm and better support women.

Substance use resources

In this section you will find links to training resources, research around women's experiences in Scotland and the UK, and reports on other helpful resources to support women who sell or exchange sex who use substances.

Substance use practice points

In this section, we explore harm reduction approaches to substance use and selling sex and include some steps you can take to improve how you support women involved in selling or exchanging sex who might also use substances.

Substance use webinar

In February 2023, we held a webinar exploring the needs of women who sell or exchange sex and use susbtances, as well as good practice responses.