Dangers of Rectal Drug Use Highlighted

Experts warn of risks from 'boofing' or 'plugging' drugs through the rectum

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Experts are highlighting the dangers of rectal drug use, also known as 'boofing' or 'plugging', where drugs are administered through the rectum rather than orally, snorted, or injected. This method can lead to faster and more intense effects, but also carries higher risks of overdose, infection, and other health issues due to the rapid absorption into the bloodstream and the delicate nature of rectal tissues.

Why it matters

Rectal drug use is a practice that is often misunderstood and stigmatized, making it difficult for people to access reliable information and harm reduction advice. Understanding the risks is important to prevent preventable harms, especially as modern illicit drugs become stronger and more unpredictable.

The details

Rectal drug use, or 'boofing', involves administering drugs through the rectum rather than orally, snorting, or injecting. This method can lead to faster and more intense effects as the drugs are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, bypassing the liver. However, this also increases the risks of overdose, as people may re-dose too quickly assuming nothing is happening, only for the effects to suddenly arrive. The delicate rectal tissue can also be easily damaged, increasing vulnerability to infections. Different substances carry their own unique dangers, with stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine putting severe strain on the heart and nervous system, and opioids risking respiratory depression and fatal overdose.

  • Alcohol enemas were documented in early 20th-century medical journals.
  • Opium and herbal preparations were used rectally in ancient China, Egypt and Greece.

The players

Joseph Janes

A Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Swansea University.

Prav Uppal

A Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Wolverhampton.

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What they’re saying

“The route a drug takes into the body can matter as much as the drug itself - and rectal use brings risks that are rarely talked about openly.”

— Joseph Janes, Senior Lecturer in Criminology (Mirage News)

“Understanding rectal drug use, rather than sensationalising it, allows for more honest conversations about risk. This is not about encouraging drug use, but about recognising reality and reducing preventable harm in an increasingly volatile drug market.”

— Prav Uppal, Senior Lecturer in Criminology (Mirage News)

What’s next

Experts recommend providing non-judgmental, evidence-based harm reduction advice to help people make safer choices, as well as promoting hygiene and safe sexual health practices to reduce the risks associated with rectal drug use.

The takeaway

Rectal drug use, while not a new practice, carries significant health risks that are often misunderstood and stigmatized. By addressing this issue openly and providing reliable information, public health authorities can work to reduce preventable harms associated with this method of drug administration.