Overall, alcohol was most likely to be used to facilitate a sexual encounter, while cocaine and cannabis were more likely to be utilised to enhance sexual sensations and arousal.

Despite these perceived sexual 'benefits', drunkenness and drug use were strongly associated with an increase in risky behaviour and feeling regretful about having sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Participants who had been drunk over the past four weeks were more likely to have had five or more partners, sex without a condom and to have regretted sex after drink or drugs in the past 12 months. Cannabis, cocaine or ecstasy use was linked to similar consequences.