The AfterMeth: Gay Men Recovering from Crystal Methamphetamine and Chemsex Addiction

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:36 Chemsex Recovery: Reasons vs. Excuses

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/reasons

In this solo episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas Bragg starts with two voice notes that landed back to back during one of his daily walks. Two clients, the same return to use, the same broken commitment, even the same specific oversight — an old user buddy still on Snapchat. But the men describing it sounded like they lived in different universes. The first didn't flinch: he laid out what he'd done right, named the gap he'd missed, and asked how he could show up differently next time. No misery, no defensiveness, just curiosity. He treated the use as a data point rather than a moral failure. The second took a week to disclose it, buried other uses he'd later come clean about, and reached for the familiar refrain — you know how it is, I always do this, I'm just not built for follow-through. One handed Dallas a reason. The other handed him an excuse.

The episode maps that distinction and why it decides the direction of a recovery. Reasons come from open curiosity and healthy guilt, which points at a behavior you can turn over in your hands and change. Excuses come from closed condemnation and shame, which says I am bad rather than I did something bad — and Dallas is careful to name the harder-to-spot version, the excuse that grabs too much responsibility. "Of course I messed up, I always mess up" sounds like ownership but is actually a collapse into identity, and identity makes the next excuse effortless while the excuse confirms the identity, around and around. Breaking the loop means stepping into what he calls the compassionate observer: the part of you that watches your own behavior without excusing or condemning it, asking why this happened rather than whose fault it is. He closes with a three-part check for the moment an explanation starts forming — notice the emotional state (open and willing, or tight and restricted), check the language (I did this leaves room, I always do this locks the door), and feel where it lands in the body, which knows the difference long before the mind does. A supplemental study guide accompanies the episode, with the link in the show notes.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:35 Dallas Interviews His Kids AfterMeth

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/kids

In this deeply personal milestone episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas Bragg marks eight years in meth recovery and his fiftieth birthday by sitting down with the two people at the center of his story: his adult children, Liliana and Jonah. There is no script and no list of talking points—just an improvised, unguarded conversation that returns to the day, eight years earlier, when the two of them picked Dallas up from jail while he was homeless and drove to a park, a turning point that convinced him to put his children first and leave meth behind. Together they trace the hardest stretches of that period honestly, from the hidden use and the crimes his kids were unknowingly pulled into to the eviction, the time in West Virginia, and the painful season when Liliana stopped speaking to him, alongside the small, surprising ways their relationship not only survived but grew closer through it all.

What gives the episode its weight is the perspective his children offer on recovery and reconciliation from the other side of it. Liliana and Jonah reflect on how a relationship built before the addiction made forgiveness possible, how Dallas addressed and apologized for what happened rather than papering over it, and how his actions—not just his words—proved the change was real. Their advice to other children of parents struggling with addiction centers on grace, honesty, communication, and giving both people time to heal, while Dallas speaks directly to men who grow discouraged when family trust doesn't return in thirty, sixty, or ninety days, encouraging them to keep becoming a better version of themselves and trust that the rest follows. The result is a testament to the episode's core message: that there is life after chemsex, that broken relationships can be restored, and that recovery is often something a whole family moves through together.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:34 YOU aren’t a chemsex addict

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/chemsexaddict

In this solo episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas Bragg opens with a scene from his active use — sitting on a patio, scrolling Grindr, negotiating with himself about whether to lose a weekend to partying — and the question that surfaced in the middle of it: if part of him wanted to use and part of him didn't, then who was the one watching both? That moment became the seed of what he calls parts integration, a practice that reshaped his own recovery and now anchors the work he does with clients. Dallas makes a direct case against identity-level language, arguing that repeating "I am an addict" reinforces a program in the nervous system and turns a behavior into a life sentence. The soul self, he insists, was never an addict and never will be. The shift he asks for is small on paper and seismic in practice: not "I want to use," but "a part of me wants to use."

From there the episode becomes a practical walkthrough. Dallas offers three ways to open dialogue with the part that wants to use — personification (giving it a shape, age, essence, and a name that isn't cruel, since naming it evil means naming yourself evil), a written back-and-forth letter exchange, and a quiet meditative ask. He then maps the integration work itself using a real client example shared with permission, moving through four questions asked of both parts: core belief, method, fear, and wish. Euphoria and connection turn out to be pointing at the same thing; both parts fear a flat, gray life; both wish for an exciting, thriving one. The integrated statements that emerge — including the "when I feel, I find" method frame — put the listener back in the mediator's seat rather than at the mercy of an urge. Dallas is clear about the scope, noting he isn't trained in Internal Family Systems and isn't doing therapy here, but preparing listeners for it. A supplemental study guide and a two-page fillable worksheet accompany the episode, with links in the show notes.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:33 Open Relationships 101 with Aidan

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/relationships

In this episode, Dallas Bragg welcomes Aidan Wharton — a New York-based sex and relationships writer, educator, and columnist specializing in open relationships — for a candid conversation exploring non-monogamy through the lens of gay men's recovery from chemsex. Dallas is upfront about his own evolving bias, shaped by painful past experiences with a broken open relationship, and uses the conversation to interrogate his assumptions alongside Aidan's eight years of lived experience with his husband. Aidan reframes open relationships not as a rejection of monogamy's values but as an expansion rooted in living fully — acknowledging that no single partner can be "everything," while emphasizing that healthy non-monogamy depends on the same foundation as any relationship: trust, respect, and communication. The two dig into jealousy as a teacher rather than a flaw, unpacking how underlying wounds like fear of exclusion (which Dallas names as a particularly resonant theme for gay men) surface disguised as jealousy in open dynamics.

The conversation turns sharply practical when Dallas shares a vivid, in-the-moment story of nearly hooking up with a thruple he suspected was using — walking listeners through the subtle behavioral cues of active meth use (delayed responses, jitteriness, lowered standards, lack of due diligence) as both a cautionary tale and harm-reduction education. Aidan and Dallas then offer concrete guidance for men in recovery considering opening a relationship: minimizing complicating variables (familiar partners, safe locations, avoiding relapse-associated settings), practicing aftercare with oneself, one's hookup, and one's primary partner, and using tools like the "third entity" framework — treating the relationship itself as a stakeholder distinct from either individual — to navigate requests and boundaries without resentment. They close by distinguishing "balanced" from "equal" experiences within a relationship, and Aidan offers a broader reflection on self-compassion, cautioning listeners about how phone and dopamine culture quietly erodes the very communication and presence that healthy relationships — open or not — require.

Contact Aidan:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aidanwharton/?hl=en

Substack: http://gaybuffet.substack.com/

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:32 3 Ways to Actually Love Yourself in Chemsex Recovery

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/love

In this solo episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas Bragg opens with two mirrors from his own early recovery: the morning-after wreckage of a bender, where he catalogued everything wrong with him, and the day-90 reflection glowing with gratitude and quiet superiority over men still using. His revelation is that both images were lying, because both showed only half of him—and, as he puts it, you cannot love half a man. Dallas maps the pendulum so many in chemsex recovery live on, swinging between self-flagellation and self-indulgence, inflating on the pedestal and collapsing into the pit, pushed by constant comparison to other men. Neither extreme, he argues, is the authentic self, and without that authentic self there is no way to be truly loved by a partner, by brothers in recovery, or by oneself.

From there Dallas reframes love itself, rejecting the idea that love is a feeling—because if love were the rush, then meth was love too—and offering instead a definition rooted in equanimity: the willingness to observe all aspects of a person, light and shadow, and accept what you see. He grounds this in research linking equanimity to fewer problematic addictive behaviors and reduced cravings, connecting it to the compassionate observer that recurs throughout his work, the consciousness that finally sets down the judge's gavel. Applied to relapse, this lens turns a using episode from a verdict into information, transforming the user from a failure back into a student. He closes with three practices—balancing the ledger on other men through shadow work, catching the swing between pride and shame in real time, and retiring the judge to hire the curious researcher—and a weekly Level Ledger exercise that ends with ten seconds of eye contact in the mirror, seeing the whole man at once. A supplemental study guide is linked in the show notes.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:31 Chemsex Harm Reduction and Homelessness with Thiccums

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/homeless

In this special episode — the first ever recorded in person for The AfterMeth Podcast — Dallas Bragg travels to Los Angeles for a chemsex conference and sits down with Thiccums, the voice behind the Instagram page "How to Be Homeless in LA." What unfolds is a candid, deeply human conversation about loss, survival, and the slow work of reclaiming one's worth. Thiccums traces a life that once held two houses, two cars, and a marriage, and how the death of his mother, a divorce, and a childhood spent searching for belonging in the foster care system opened the door to meth. His story lands squarely on a theme familiar to so many in recovery: how the drug offered a counterfeit sense of acceptance, euphoria, and appreciation to a man who had spent a lifetime looking for love and a place to call home. Dallas and Thiccums move through the arc of addiction with unusual honesty — the progression from party spaces to isolated use, the paranoia and psychosis, the grief of watching a friend die, and the guilt that eventually led Thiccums into therapy.

Grounding the conversation in practical reality, Thiccums walks listeners through the systems he learned to navigate: contingency management programs through APLA's chemsex services, shelter intake and housing matrices, general relief and food stamps, and the everyday resources — showers, laundry, restrooms, a listening ear — that make survival on the street possible. He speaks openly about the role fentanyl test strips played in his decision to slow down, the impact of budget cuts on the recovery meetings that once sustained him, and his diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder as one window into why some are drawn to substances in the first place. Threaded throughout is Thiccums's hard-won message of self-love and self-acceptance — that recovery begins with knowing you are enough, exactly as you are. The episode closes with a gentle call to community care and a reminder that small acts of dignity can change a life.

Contact Thiccums:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_real_thiccums/

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:30 Chemsex Recovery: The Glitching Phase

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/glitching

In this solo episode, Dallas Bragg explores what he calls "glitching" — the disorienting middle phase of chemsex recovery when old patterns have been stripped away but a new identity hasn't yet formed. He opens with a raw story from his own early recovery: riding the last light rail across Charlotte at 2am to a run-down motel room, sitting in deafening silence after a life that had been "full-time" chemsex, and feeling the disassociation of having his entire operating system — apps, contacts, predictable rituals — suddenly removed. Dallas frames this as liminal space, a concept borrowed from contemplative and research traditions, and explains why it feels less like relief and more like grief: chemsex wasn't just about drugs or sex, but a structure that told men who to be and what role to play, often as a way to feel safe, wanted, or approved of after complex trauma.

Dallas grounds the episode in research, citing a longitudinal study of men who have sex with men showing that lower identity continuity and higher internalized shame predict riskier cycling patterns, while a more stable sense of self predicts grounded, integrated outcomes — and a mindfulness-based pilot study with young MSM in recovery linking present-moment awareness to greater self-compassion and identity stability. He normalizes the typical three-to-six-month timeline for this transition, encourages meeting old-pattern impulses without judgment, and closes by returning to his motel story — describing how he used visualization to picture his future life with his children rather than relapsing — framing liminal space not as a void to fear but as an open, even joyful, opportunity to consciously imagine and build the life a man wants after chemsex.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:29 Regulating the Nervous System with Doug

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/regulating

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas sits down with Doug Marshall, a trauma-informed life coach and somatic practitioner known online as "The World of Doug," for a deep dive into nervous system regulation and its central role in chemsex recovery. Doug, who facilitates recovery groups in Los Angeles and works with clients one-on-one and in online communities, brings both clinical insight and candid personal disclosure to the conversation, tracing how his own thirty-year pattern of compulsive sexual behavior and rejection-seeking was rooted in nervous system dysregulation rather than simple "addiction." Dallas connects this directly to the chemsex experience, framing instant gratification, app culture, and sexualized drug use as symptoms of a dysregulated nervous system seeking quick relief rather than moral failings, and the two unpack how growing up gay often means a nervous system primed for hypervigilance, secrecy, and shame from an early age.

The episode offers practical, body-based tools alongside the theory: Doug walks through the amygdala's role as a "danger detector," the fight-flight-freeze-fawn response, and how modern stressors like dating apps can hijack the prefrontal cortex the same way a physical threat would. He introduces concrete techniques listeners can use in moments of urge or dysregulation, including the "heart hold" (drawn from Internal Family Systems work), the butterfly hug for bilateral stimulation, mirror work, and simply pausing for thirty seconds to a few minutes before acting on a craving as a way of building tolerance for discomfort. Doug and Dallas also discuss the importance of self-validation over external approval, the dangers of taking perceived rejection personally on apps, and the value of practicing vulnerability and honesty in relationships rather than performing constant positivity — closing with an emphasis that healing isn't a quick fix, but a daily practice of learning to sit with one's own feelings.

Contact Doug:

My membership community Rewire & rise: https://go.lifetext.ai/creator/doug

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldofdoug/

Website: https://theworldofdoug.com/

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:28 Chemsex Recovery: Stop Doing. Start Being.

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/being

In this solo episode, Dallas Bragg shares a pivotal moment from his own early recovery — staying calm and unreactive during a near-collision in a gas station parking lot while his mother visited for Family Day at his treatment center — to introduce a framework he calls having, doing, being. Dallas argues that most recovery approaches focus on the first two levels (what you stop having and what you start doing) while skipping the foundational third: who you are becoming at the level of identity and self-belief. Drawing on his own transformation and patterns he's witnessed in his coaching clients, he explains why willpower and white-knuckling fail long-term — because a man will always default back to the version of himself he secretly believes he is, regardless of effort.

The practical core of the episode centers on Dallas's "prophetic vision" exercise, a cornerstone practice from his Recovery Alchemy program, where clients vividly imagine their fully inhabited life — not the absence of meth, but the presence of real connection, purpose, and embodiment. He offers listeners three daily practices to build this identity-first approach to recovery: asking "what would he do?" before acting, making the prophetic vision as specific and granular as possible, and taking one small aligned action each day as a "vote" for the emerging identity. Dallas frames this not as becoming someone new, but as remembering and stepping into the man who was always there beneath the fog of chemsex use — with each aligned choice closing the distance between who a man was and who he's consciously choosing to become.

Link to Prophetic Vision Webinar: https://youtu.be/wiI2PHSnx5I?si=W19WoMwtbRHf0c2N

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:27 Rewired for Connection: Life After Chemsex with David and Andrew

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/rewired

In this episode, Dallas is joined by two guests — Dr. David Fawcett, returning veteran of the podcast and author of Lust, Men, and Meth and Sex Under the Influence, and Andrew McDonnell, a clinical social worker and outpatient addiction therapist in Memphis, Tennessee who brings his own lived experience with chemsex to the conversation. Together, the three announce an exciting new offering: Rewired for Connection: Life After Chemsex, an in-person retreat limited to twelve participants, designed specifically for gay men navigating the "now what?" of life after active use. The episode unfolds as a rich conversation about what recovery actually looks like once the milestones fade — the disorientation, the identity questions, and the longing for connection with other men who truly understand.

Each facilitator shares what they'll bring to the retreat experience, giving listeners a detailed preview of the weekend's content. Dallas will open with shadow work, identity exploration, and vision-casting — helping participants define their ideal self through somatic visualization, limiting belief work, and daily practice tools rooted in principles from Atomic Habits. Dr. Fawcett will focus on sexual reintegration, covering the neuroscience of dopamine dysregulation, arousal template repair, and the step-by-step process of reclaiming — or often discovering for the very first time — a sexuality free from the grip of chemsex. Andrew will introduce stoic philosophy as a framework for social reintegration and facilitate a nuanced conversation on sexual ethics that honors the full spectrum of gay sexual culture without shame or judgment. The retreat closes with a cacao ceremony and breathwork, grounding the experience in community, embodiment, and genuine connection between men. The retreat link is available in the show notes.

Contact David: https://sexandrelationshiphealing.com/

To apply for the retreat: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/rewiredretreat

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:26 Chemsex Recovery: Acceptance Stage

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/acceptancestage

In this solo episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas Bragg brings his five-part series comparing the stages of grief to chemsex recovery to a close with its most challenging and nuanced stage: acceptance. Dallas is careful from the outset to reframe what acceptance actually means — not a finish line or a moment of resolution, but a daily orientation, a practice of inhabiting the new life rather than mourning the old one. Drawing on the Latin root of the word, acceptare — to bring something close to oneself — he reframes acceptance as an active, embodied discipline: the ongoing act of pulling toward yourself the very parts you've been rejecting, the man you were in active use, including the parts that lied, that hurt people, that enjoyed it, and that sometimes still miss it.

At the heart of this episode is a powerful invitation to integration over exile. Dallas makes the case that men who skip this deeper work — who appear to have moved through all the stages but still secretly hate the man they were — build recoveries that are beautiful on the outside but brittle on the inside, and are at greater risk for relapse when those exiled parts eventually demand to be heard. He distinguishes acceptance from forgiveness, emphasizing that acceptance doesn't require approving of the past or finding a redemptive silver lining — it simply means stopping the war against yourself. Dallas also introduces the vision of "Recovery 2.0," sketching a portrait of the man in acceptance: how he handles longing, loneliness, rejection, and joy differently now, meeting each with presence instead of panic. The episode closes with a reminder that grief spirals back — on anniversaries, in quiet afternoons, in a familiar scent — and that acceptance isn't the end of that grief, but the moment when the past has finally lost its power to define you.

Contact Dallas:

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:25 Undetectable and Unashamed with Jose

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/unshamed

In this deeply personal episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas sits down with José Barrientos, a 33-year-old Latino gay man from Los Angeles now living in Queens, New York, whose story weaves together early childhood wounds, HIV diagnosis, crystal meth addiction, and a hard-won recovery. José opens up about growing up in a single-parent household, seeking validation from older men as a teenager, and his first encounter with crystal meth at just fourteen years old — an experience that quickly spiraled into intravenous use by sixteen. He shares how he seroconverted to HIV-positive around that same time, not learning his status until 2010, and how the compounding shame of being gay, HIV-positive, and a meth user left him feeling like "damaged goods" for years.

José traces his recovery journey from a pivotal moment at 21 — hospitalized with collapsed veins, untreated STIs, and drug-induced psychosis — to finding community through 12-step programs, trauma therapy, and his current role as a spokesperson for the HIV Stops With Me campaign, a New York State Department of Health initiative working to destigmatize HIV through real people sharing their real stories. He reflects on inner child healing, the difference between getting sober for someone else versus doing it for yourself, and the importance of education and community for gay men navigating HIV and chemsex recovery. Dallas and José also challenge the dangerous misconceptions still prevalent on hookup apps around HIV status, undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U), and what it truly means to protect oneself — offering listeners both raw honesty and genuine hope.

Contact Jose:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/its2025.Jose
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its2026.jose/
You can visit: https://hivstopswithme.org/

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:24 Chemsex Recovery: Depression Stage

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/depression

In this solo episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas Bragg continues the series on the five stages of grief as a framework for chemsex recovery, moving into the fourth stage: depression. Dallas distinguishes this grief-based depression from clinical depression, while encouraging anyone experiencing severe symptoms or suicidal ideation to seek professional support. Drawing on his own early recovery experience—enrolled in drug treatment court and attending daily IOP, unable to numb out for the first time—Dallas describes sitting with the full weight of who he had become and what he had lost. He names this stage as the point where bargaining stops working and the body registers the finality of what's gone: the high, the community, the sex life, the imagined future, and even the ability to feel pleasure in ordinary things.

The episode offers a compassionate roadmap for naming and moving through these losses rather than escaping them, emphasizing Dallas's core message that "feeling is healing" and that the way through depression is through it, not around it. He warns that this stage carries the strongest temptation to use, since numbing the depression doesn't eliminate it but only delays and intensifies it. Practical guidance includes feeling emotions in manageable waves, maintaining basic self-care (eating, sleeping, hygiene), avoiding triggers and high-risk environments, journaling, and practicing patience with the process. Dallas closes by framing this stage as transformative—the place where men who stay with the weight often go on to become coaches, healers, and leaders for others—and previews the final installment on acceptance.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:23 Dating App Hygiene in Chemsex Recovery with Mike

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/hygiene

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas sits down with Michael Power, an addiction counselor with over 15 years of experience specializing in chemsex, sexual compulsive behaviors, trauma, and LGBTQ mental health. Mike brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the conversation — having navigated his own recovery from methamphetamine use across the United States and Australia before eventually finding his way into frontline addiction work in London, where he trained under David Stewartz, the man widely credited with coining the term "chemsex." Now based in London, Mike works at Innisfree, a sexual compulsivity disorder clinic in Marylebone, where he serves as a chemsex consultant and is launching an innovative weekend structured program for gay and bisexual men.

The conversation centers on what Mike calls "app hygiene" — the intentional, values-aligned approach to dating and hookup apps like Grindr during and after chemsex recovery. Mike and Dallas explore the two-stage model of recovery: first stabilization (removing the drugs and achieving some grounding), and then the more vulnerable, often overlooked work of sexual reintegration. Mike introduces the erotic desire cycle as a framework for rebuilding sober sexuality rooted in connection and safety, and walks through practical tools including masturbation as a relapse prevention strategy, navigating pornography mindfully, and how to thoughtfully design a recovery-informed app profile. Dallas also shares his own "App Map" — a decision-tree intervention that guides men through conscious pauses before opening an app — prompting a rich discussion about the prefrontal cortex, impulsivity, and why secrecy around app use is often its own red flag. Together, they make the case that getting back on the apps isn't a sign of failure — it just requires intention, accountability, and time.

Find Mike Power on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-power-0605a64a?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios

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EP 3:22 Chemsex Recovery: Bargaining Stage

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/bargaining

In this solo episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas Bragg continues his serialized series applying the five stages of grief to chemsex recovery, turning the lens on stage three: bargaining. Dallas frames bargaining as the most dangerous stage — not because it feels the worst, but because it feels the most reasonable. Unlike denial's numbness or anger's volatility, bargaining arrives dressed in logic, self-awareness, and apparent progress. It is the mind making one final offer — a negotiated middle ground between the old life and the new — and Dallas unpacks how that offer is always, ultimately, a trap. Drawing on his own three and a half years of active use, he shares with striking honesty the many iterations of bargaining he attempted: using only once a month, only on vacation, only with certain people, only after a stretch of sobriety. Every single bargain, he reflects, ended the same way. Tina always wins the negotiation.

Dallas goes deeper into the specific voices bargaining uses — voices that sound like maturity, earned insight, and measured wisdom — and identifies the most insidious form: staying meth-free on the surface while remaining embedded in the ecosystem of chemsex. Staying on the apps, texting the guys, keeping the dealer in your phone, returning to familiar places. This, Dallas argues, is not recovery — it's the antechamber of relapse, because the scene and the substance are not separable. He traces how most relapses he has witnessed in his coaching work originate here, in men who have done real work but are quietly running scenarios and engineering circumstances that make use feel accidental or justifiable. The way out, he insists, is not to argue with the bargaining mind — it will win — but to declare, out loud, in writing, with witnesses, that there is no loophole, no exception, no version where any of it gets to stay. That declaration, and the grief it opens, is the doorway into the next stage: depression — and ultimately, surrender.

The AfterMeth:

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Dallas Bragg

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EP 3:21 Using Yoga in Chemsex Recovery with Malu

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplementary Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/integration

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas sits down with Malu, a yoga teacher with twenty years of experience who specializes in working with gay men in recovery. Based in Hawaii, Malu discovered yoga in college and spent years building a practice before recognizing how deeply it supported his own sobriety journey — one rooted in alcohol use and a high-pressure career in New York City. Drawing on the teachings of his mentor Rod Stryker and a therapeutic approach to yoga rooted in Tantric Alchemy, Malu explains the difference between abstinence and true sobriety, and how the mat can become a bridge between what's learned in therapy and what's actually lived in daily life. His framework, which he calls Sober Embodiment, offers gay men in recovery a structured, body-based pathway for transforming not just their behaviors — but their identity.

Malu walks Dallas through his three-pillar approach: tapas (the heat of discipline and sitting with discomfort), self-study (exploring the addiction story and frequency), and identity work (stepping into the authentic self through Yoga Nidra, sankalpa, and visioning). The conversation dives into how yoga rewires the brain through unfamiliar movement, unwinds deep-seated patterns called vasanas, and trains the nervous system to tolerate difficult emotions — including the cravings and triggers so central to chemsex recovery. Dallas and Malu find powerful alignment between their respective frameworks, particularly around the concept of "frequency," building a prophetic vision of the self, and using consistent daily practice — even just seven minutes — as an act of identity reclamation. This episode is a rich, practical, and spiritually resonant conversation for any gay man in recovery who is ready to embody his sobriety, not just endure it.

Contact Malu:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malulaniyoga/
Email: malu@malulaniyoga.com

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Dallas Bragg

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Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:20 Chemsex Recovery: Anger Stage

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplementary Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/angerstage

In this solo episode, Dallas Bragg continues his series on the five stages of grief in chemsex recovery, picking up where last week's episode on denial left off. With honesty and hard-won perspective, Dallas introduces Stage Two: Anger — a stage he describes as hot, loud, and often misunderstood. Rather than framing anger as a sign of emotional failure or ingratitude toward sobriety, Dallas reframes it as a legitimate, necessary response to real loss. He draws on his own story — including a moment of rage directed at the very family members who kept him alive during active use — to illustrate how anger misfires when it isn't understood, punishing the people closest to us instead of naming what was truly taken.

Dallas walks listeners through the many faces anger takes in this stage: fury at dealers, at the men who introduced them to the scene, at the gay community that both welcomed and endangered them, at recovery itself, and at a world that made their sexuality a source of shame before the scene ever offered false belonging. He identifies two dangerous pitfalls — suppression, which festers into depression and relapse, and weaponization, which leaves destruction in its wake — before offering a third path: moving anger through the body. Running, boxing, screaming into a pillow, writing unsent letters, and speaking rage aloud to a calm witness are among the tools Dallas recommends. The episode closes with a powerful reframe: channeled correctly, this anger isn't an obstacle to recovery — it's the fuel that builds a new identity and keeps men out of the scene for good.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

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Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:19 The Chemstories Podcast with Patrice and Bradley

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplementary Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/chemstories

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas Bragg welcomes Patrice St-Amour and Bradley Hampton-Wallis, the research coordinator and Toronto host respectively of Chemstories — a bilingual podcast series produced out of the University of Montreal's School of Public Health that gives gay, bisexual, queer men, as well as trans and non-binary people a platform to tell their chemsex stories in their own voices. Patrice brings both lived experience and academic grounding in sexology to his role coordinating the project, while Bradley draws on his background as a social work researcher and his own history with drug use to create deeply human, non-judgmental space for conversation. Together, the three hosts explore the origins and evolution of Chemstories, its community-based participatory methodology, and what it means to center the voices of those with lived experience rather than filtering their stories through a clinical or academic lens.

The conversation digs into the transformative power of storytelling as a tool for dismantling shame — both for those who share their stories and those who hear them. Dallas and his guests discuss the internal hierarchies and stigma that persist even within the gay community around drug use, the nuanced distinction between problematic and non-problematic chemsex, and how hearing someone else's story can unlock self-compassion in men who have long vilified their own pasts. The episode also explores sober sex, sexual reintegration, and the surprising universality of the chemsex experience across borders, cultures, and genders. With a combined library of nearly 60 episodes and 25+ hours of content between the French (Chemstory) and English (Chemstories) versions, listeners are pointed toward a rich, diverse resource — and encouraged to consider how curiosity, community, and radical honesty continue to be among the most powerful forces in recovery.

Explore the Project:

Listen & Learn: Chemstories podcast https://qollab.ca/en/chemstories/
Read the Background: Understanding the realities of PnP (CATIE Blog) : https://blog.catie.ca/2026/04/01/understanding-the-realities-of-pnp-with-the-chemstory-chemstories-podcast/
Get in Touch: chemstory@espum.umontreal.ca

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Dallas Bragg

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Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:18 Chemsex Recovery: Denial Stage

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplementary Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/denial

In this solo episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas Bragg opens the first installment of a five-part series exploring chemsex recovery through the lens of the five stages of grief. Drawing on his own lived experience, Dallas reframes the recovery journey as a process of allowing the old self to die in order to reveal the man who was always there beneath the addiction. This episode focuses on denial — the first and often darkest room men enter when confronting their relationship with meth and chemsex — and challenges the common impulse to treat it as a moral failing or a choice.

Dallas unpacks denial as a sophisticated survival mechanism, not a character flaw, explaining how the subconscious filters out unbearable truths to keep a person functioning. He walks listeners through the many quiet voices denial uses — comparison, minimization, rationalization — and shares a raw personal account of being evicted from his home while his mind refused to assemble the evidence in front of him. He distinguishes between the body's unavoidable truth-telling and the mind's persistent protection, and offers a compassionate call to action: you don't have to dismantle years of denial in a single afternoon — just let one truth in today. The episode closes with a preview of the next stage, anger, and reminds listeners that if they've made it this far, part of them is already ready to see.

The AfterMeth:

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Dallas Bragg

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Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:17 Where Does Intimacy Begin with Thr33

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/intimacybegin

In this deeply personal episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas Bragg explores what intimacy truly means—and why it has nothing to do with sex. Joined by his close friend Thr33 (also known as Tucker, a therapeutic yoga instructor based in the Asheville area), Dallas traces the years-long evolution of their friendship as a living case study in building real connection. From their first awkward exchanges on a dating app to the moment Thr33 set an early, gentle boundary that Dallas initially read as rejection, the two unpack how vulnerability, repair, and commitment became the foundation of a bond that has reshaped how Dallas relates to himself and others. Dallas shares the raw story of sitting with a wave of jealousy and abandonment in the middle of a restaurant—letting the trigger move through his body rather than acting on it—and the profound breakthrough of lying beside a naked friend with clear, agreed-upon boundaries and no sexual expectation, finally understanding that someone wanted him simply for himself.

Throughout the conversation, Dallas and Thr33 offer a practical roadmap for gay men navigating sexual reintegration and the fear of sober intimacy after chemsex. They emphasize that intimacy is a practice, not a destination—built slowly through honest communication, clearly defined "containers," and the willingness to name a "charge" before resentment takes hold. Thr33 speaks to his journey from people-pleasing toward stating his needs up front, while Dallas reframes triggers as messages pointing toward growth rather than evidence that a relationship is failing. The episode lands on an encouraging invitation: intimacy doesn't have to begin with sex or a hookup. It can start with one hard, vulnerable conversation with a friend or family member—the first step in learning, as Dallas puts it, that "into me, you see."

Contact Thr33:

Instagram: @tuck3r_yoga

The AfterMeth:

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Dallas Bragg

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Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:16 Chemsex Recovery: 5 Stages of Grief

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/grief

In this solo episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas makes the case that recovery from chemsex is unlike recovery from any other addiction because what's being left behind isn't just a substance — it's an identity, a community, a culture, and a hard-won sense of freedom from the weight of being a gay man in a world that demands so much. Walking away means grieving the version of yourself who found shameless pleasure, kink, connection, and escape inside that life, even as that same life began to cost more than it gave. To help men name what they're moving through, Dallas maps the recovery journey onto Elizabeth Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief — denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance — sharing his own raw experiences of each, from standing on the street after being evicted in a fog of denial, to the white-hot anger turned on the people who loved him most, to the bargaining with Tina that always ended the same way.

Dallas walks listeners through what each stage actually sounds and feels like in the chemsex recovery context: the minimizing self-talk of denial, the righteous fury of anger, the loophole-hunting of bargaining (which so often masquerades as relapse), the crushing finality of depression, and finally the quiet power of acceptance — the moment you stop keeping one foot in the doorway and fully step into the 2.0 version of yourself. He reminds listeners that grief doesn't move in a straight line, that camping out in one stage or spiraling between them is normal, and that simply noticing where you're living right now is itself the beginning of moving through it. This episode kicks off a deeper series, with future episodes unpacking each stage in depth alongside practical tools for processing what arises. A supplemental study guide is linked in the show notes.

The AfterMeth:

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Dallas Bragg

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Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:15 Shadow Work for Chemsex Recovery with Jamie

Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

http://www.jamiewilliscounselling.com

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/shadow

In this Season 3 episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas Bragg sits down with Jamie Willis — a Gestalt therapist, clinical specialist in chemsex, addiction, and LGBTQ+ mental health, and the former manager of London's Antidote service who was published in the British Medical Journal in 2015 calling for chemsex to be recognized as a public health issue. With 22 years of frontline practice spanning London, Northern Thailand, Uganda, and Malaysia, Jamie brings a rare depth of lived and clinical experience to a topic Dallas has been waiting to feature: Jungian shadow work. Together they cut through the TikTok-era misconceptions of shadow work as something "spooky" or "evil," reframing it instead as the internal repository where we exile the parts of ourselves — femininity, rage, neediness, masculinity, sexuality — that were shamed, invalidated, or forbidden as we grew up. As Jamie explains, those exiled parts don't disappear; they lead a semi-autonomous life of their own and quietly drive behavior, including the very patterns that show up inside chemsex.

The conversation moves through the practical mechanics of doing this work safely — why shadow exploration requires ritual, containment, and aftercare; how therapy, art, group work, and even structured kink communities can serve as containers; and why "shame dies on exposure" when these parts are finally met with curiosity instead of contempt. Dallas and Jamie examine how projection and projective identification reveal the shadow in everyday life, how emasculation and internalized rejection often hide beneath chemsex behavior, and why the goal is never to kill the shadow but to invite it back into relationship. The episode closes on one of the most powerful reframes Dallas offers on the show: that having lived through chemsex is not a sentence of brokenness but a rare starting point — an opportunity for self-knowledge that most people walk through life never accessing. For anyone curious about shadow work, this is an episode to rewind, slow down, and listen to twice.

Contact Jamie:

Jamie Willis

Mbl/WhatApp: +44 (0) 7579 819217

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-willis-4b234620b/

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

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Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:14 Next Level Amend Making

Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/amends

In this solo episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas Bragg explores what he calls "next level amends" — a practice that goes beyond the traditional apology process to address the deeper beliefs driving our conflicts and resentments. Drawing from his own lived experience, Dallas shares the story of a former restaurant manager named Kyle, whom he despised for being "arrogant," only to discover through Byron Katie's The Work that Kyle was a mirror reflecting Dallas's own unexamined arrogance.

This realization became a turning point, illustrating the alchemical principle that nothing in our outer world is wasted — every trigger, every conflict, every difficult person is raw material for transformation, holding up a mirror to the parts of ourselves we haven't been willing to face.

Dallas walks listeners through the practical framework used in his Foundations group coaching program, guiding them through Byron Katie's four questions and the powerful turnaround process that reveals how the people who hurt us are often pointing us toward the ways we've been hurting ourselves.

He emphasizes that real freedom in recovery comes not from white-knuckling distance from a substance, but from becoming integrated and whole — making amends with our own shadow parts so that our changed presence becomes the apology. For anyone caught in cycles of resentment, replaying old conversations, or finding the same painful dynamics resurfacing under different faces, this episode offers a compassionate roadmap for transmuting conflict into self-knowledge and lasting peace.

The AfterMeth:

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Dallas Bragg

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:13 Adverse Childhood Experiences and Chemsex Misuse with Kit

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/ACE

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas sits down with Kit Morgan, LCSW — a licensed clinical social worker and creator of The Liberated Porch — for an unflinching conversation about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their direct line to chemsex and methamphetamine dependency.

Kit, who specializes in religious trauma-informed therapy for queer people, opens by sharing his lived experience as a queer trans man who grew up in fundamentalist Baptist environments, offering language like "stealth" and reflections on embodiment that broaden the podcast's ongoing commitment to diverse voices.

From there, the conversation moves into the heart of ACE work: how early emotional neglect, unmet attachment needs, and pre-verbal experiences of abandonment lay the neurological groundwork for the "skin hunger," pleasure deprivation, and intimacy starvation that meth so effectively — and tragically — counterfeits. Dallas and Kit dismantle the moral-failing model of addiction, reframing relapse as a signal pointing toward unhealed wounds rather than evidence of personal weakness, and emphasize that shame is what got us into addiction, not what gets us out.

Listeners will walk away with concrete tools, including Kit's "60 days of gentleness" protocol — a deliberate detox from high-impact activities like intense BDSM dynamics, punishing workouts, or chronic overwork, replaced by pleasure-receiving experiences, nourishing food, rest, and safe non-sexual touch. The conversation also explores meaning-making as a core component of sustained recovery, the difference between releasing resentment and forcing forgiveness, and alternatives to journaling like the empty-chair exercise for processing childhood neglect.

Dallas shares a deeply vulnerable personal moment about a non-sexual cuddle experience that broke open decades of touch deprivation, modeling the kind of healing intimacy that becomes possible when we slow down and let safe people in. Whether you're newly sober, deep into shadow work, or supporting someone you love, this episode is a reminder that recovery isn't just about putting down the substance — it's about finally tending to the child inside who never got held.

Find Kit here:

TikTok, Substack, and YouTube: @theliberatedporch

Website: http://www.theliberatedporch.com

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

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Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:12 Why You Are Failing at Sober Sex

Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/sobers**x

In this solo episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas Bragg confronts one of the most common struggles men face in chemsex recovery: the belief that sober sex is somehow broken, vanilla, or impossible to enjoy. Rather than validating that fear, Dallas reframes it entirely — the issue isn't that sobriety took something away, it's that the ruler being used to measure sex was rigged from the start. He traces how pornography carved neural pathways oriented toward performance, how hookup apps turned intimacy into a transactional marketplace, and how the queer community's hard-won fight for sexual freedom has, over time, calcified into a new kind of obligation. What gets called liberation, he argues, often functions as conformity to a script written by industries that profit from disconnection.

From there, Dallas invites listeners into a different question altogether: what if good sex has nothing to do with duration, positions, or intensity, and everything to do with presence, safety, vulnerability, and being fully oneself? He names the uncomfortable truth that much of the sex people mourn losing in recovery wasn't intimacy at all — it was dissociation wrapped in intensity, ego wrapped in orgasm, conquest masquerading as connection. The episode closes with a reflective prompt for the week: what would sex and intimacy look like if you stopped trying to meet anyone's expectations, including your own? It's a grounded, shame-free challenge to stop following someone else's map and begin drawing one's own — where real desire, real presence, and real connection actually live.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:11 Meth-Induced Psychosis with Patrick

Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/psychosis

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas opens with a raw recounting of his own experience with meth-induced psychosis — nine days without sleep, curled in a corner convinced his house was surrounded — before welcoming Dr. Patrick Lockwood, a licensed clinical psychologist based in Los Angeles who has spent his career working across every level of substance use treatment. Together they unpack one of the most stigmatized and least-discussed dimensions of chemsex: paranoia, hallucinations, and meth-induced psychosis.

Dr. Lockwood breaks down the spectrum of psychotic symptoms, distinguishes paranoia as one type of fixed false belief, and offers the grounding metaphor that intrusive thoughts and delusions function like reflexes — closer to a sneeze than a character flaw — which reframes the work from "fixing" the experience to skillfully managing it through distraction, reality testing, and reducing catastrophic thinking.

The conversation moves into deeply practical territory for men in recovery: how to set realistic expectations for brain healing, why patience and self-compassion matter more than timelines, when antipsychotics or beta blockers may help (and when they won't), and how to find support through professional care, telemedicine, or peer communities like Crystal Meth Anonymous.

Dallas and Dr. Lockwood also speak tenderly to the lingering trauma carried by men who experienced violence, abandonment, or terror while in psychotic states during use, and to those still trapped inside delusions without knowing it. The episode lands as both a clinical primer and a permission slip — a reminder for listeners around the world that they are not broken, not crazy, and not alone, and that healing the chemsex-affected brain is possible with time, support, and grace.

Find Patrick here:

Website: https://www.lockwoodconsultingsolutions.com/

My Twitter: @alobhapatrick

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:10 The Difference Between Knowing and Doing

Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/knowingvsdoing

In this solo episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas explores one of the most common — and most overlooked — drivers of relapse: the gap between knowing and doing. Drawing from his work with clients in chemsex recovery, he describes the men who arrive at sessions fully educated on dopamine regulation, euphoric recall, and the neuroscience of addiction, yet remain frozen on the knowing side of the chasm.

Using the metaphor of a beautifully stocked toolbox that never gets opened, Dallas names the three forces that keep men stuck: unworthiness disguised as protection (a tender, childhood-formed part that orchestrates failure to avoid being blindsided by it), overwhelm at the sheer scale of the outcome, and the relentless pull of daily distraction. Each one, he explains, looks like progress while quietly preventing the internal architecture of recovery from being laid down.

The antidote Dallas offers is deceptively simple: one small, consistent daily action — small enough that you cannot fail at it — practiced morning and night, anchored by two questions: What would my highest expression be doing right now? and Did I show up as him today? He reframes recovery not as a dramatic transformation reached through breakthrough moments, but as infrastructure built quietly in unremarkable, repeated practice — the muscle of showing up that carries you through cravings, euphoric recall, and emotional storms when they arrive. Inviting listeners into a seven-day experiment, Dallas closes with a tender reminder that time alone does not heal; time plus daily action does. The hammer, finally, meets the nail.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:9 Feeling is Healing: A Trans Woman’s Perspective with Amanita

Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Study Guide: https://www.recoveryalchemy.org/newsletters/blog/posts/feelingishealing

In this powerful episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas welcomes Amanita Calderón-Cifuentes — a Colombian trans woman, PhD in molecular biomedicine, and HIV research and advocacy officer with Trans Europe Central Asia — as the podcast's first transgender guest. The two met at the International Chemsex Conference in Antwerp, and their conversation picks up with the same warmth and intellectual depth that marked their connection there.

Amanita brings a perspective that challenges the conventional recovery narrative: as someone who has navigated 11 years of drug use, including periods of psychosis and problematic methamphetamine use, she speaks from lived experience rather than abstinence-based ideology. Drawing on the foundational framework of drug, set, and setting, she offers a nuanced account of why people use, how biological versus psychological addiction operate differently, and why a one-size-fits-all approach to recovery often sets people up to fail.

What makes this conversation particularly resonant for Dallas's audience is Amanita's unflinching exploration of the deeper drivers of drug dependency — internalized shame, minority stress, and disconnection from self and community. She reframes recovery not as the act of stopping, but as the ongoing practice of compassion, curiosity, and radical self-love.

For trans people, sex workers, and all those carrying compounded layers of stigma, she argues that the first act of healing is simply accepting that you are in pain — and letting yourself feel it. Dallas reflects on how this mirrors his own work with gay men trapped in cycles of self-hatred and relapse, affirming that true integration requires welcoming the wounded self rather than warring against it. Together, they land on a shared truth: what most people are searching for beneath their drug use is connection — to others, and to themselves.

Find Amanita on Instagram: @pbyamanita

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:8 Chemsex Recovery: The Shame of Starting at Zero

Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/counting

The AfterMeth Podcast | Season 3 | Shame of Starting at Zero

In this video, Dallas Bragg breaks down why the traditional day-counting model in recovery was never designed for gay men navigating chemsex recovery from crystal methamphetamine, and why resetting to zero after a use episode may be doing more harm than good.

Drawing on neuroscience, relapse statistics, and his direct experience working with men in chemsex recovery, Bragg explains why chemsex is fundamentally different from general substance use disorder. When crystal meth becomes fused to sexual experience, the brain encodes the drug and sex as a single event, creating neural pathways that make sex itself a powerful relapse trigger. Generic recovery frameworks were not built to address this dual complexity, and the standard day counter was not built with queer men in mind.

Bragg examines the shame architecture embedded in the zero, the moment a man uses after building a streak and watches everything reset. For men in chemsex recovery already carrying significant psychological weight, that reset is not motivating. This is shame in a recovery costume, and shame is one of the strongest predictors of relapse.

Rather than discarding measurement altogether, Dallas introduces a window-based approach used inside his Recovery Alchemy coaching program. Instead of tracking consecutive sober days, men measure their progress across 90-day and 180-day windows, comparing use frequency over time rather than performance in a single streak. This method reflects the actual trajectory of recovery, which is rarely a straight line, and allows men to see real, measurable movement without the threat of losing everything at zero.

This episode is for gay men, queer men, and men who have sex with men who are tired of forcing their recovery into a framework that was never meant for them.

Topics covered in this episode include: why chemsex recovery requires a different understanding of addiction, the neuroscience behind meth and sex fusion, relapse statistics specific to crystal methamphetamine and chemsex recovery, how shame functions as a relapse trigger, and an alternative to day counting designed for men in queer recovery.

To apply for our Group Coaching Program, Recovery Alchemy, click here: https://calendly.com/d/cngd-ymw-cr3

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:7 Healing for Sex Offenders with Scott

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/sexoffenders

Study Guide:

The AfterMeth Podcast tackles one of the most heavily stigmatized intersections in chemsex recovery — the moral injury that can arise when men find themselves exposed to, or participants in, content and behavior during crystal meth use that violates their own values, including child pornography, non-consensual acts, and other taboo material. In this episode, Dallas is joined by Scott Stolarick, a licensed master's level clinician with over three decades of experience and the founder of Mosaic Pathway Counseling in Gurney, Illinois. Scott spent 26 years evaluating and treating sex offenders, and his rare combination of legal-system knowledge and deep clinical compassion makes him uniquely equipped to help listeners understand the landscape they may be navigating — whether they face charges, carry private shame, or both. Together, Scott and Dallas explore how the clinical and legal worlds often collide in painful ways, and why engagement, honesty, and building a history with a qualified therapist are essential first steps toward healing.

A central theme of this conversation is the distinction between acceptance and approval — a framework Scott introduces to help men make peace with parts of themselves without endorsing harmful behavior. Rather than fighting or suppressing urges born from chemically altered states, Scott encourages a concentric circle model of accountability: starting from what a person can own, and working gradually inward toward fuller self-reckoning. Dallas brings his own vulnerability to the episode, sharing a personal example of how meth-fueled conversations crossed his own boundaries in ways that took significant time to process in recovery. The message is clear and compassionately delivered — you are not alone in what you witnessed, said, or felt during active use, and the path forward requires not self-condemnation, but structured, shame-informed therapeutic work with a clinician who truly understands this population.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:6 When You Get the Fuck-It’s in Chemsex Recovery

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/fckit

The AfterMeth Podcast | Season 3 | Fuck-its

In this video, Dallas Bragg breaks down the "fuck-its" — the moment in chemsex recovery when everything you've built seems to disappear in an instant — and why it's never actually "out of nowhere."

If you're a gay man navigating crystal meth recovery or chemsex recovery, this episode is essential. Dallas explains the physiological truth behind the fuck-its: they are not a character flaw, but a nervous system event driven by accumulated emotional pressure. Using his pressure cooker model, he maps out the three stages of relapse — emotional relapse, mental relapse, and physical relapse — and shows you exactly where intervention works best.

You'll also learn four evidence-backed strategies to stop the relapse train before it ever leaves the station: Notice everything and tell somebody (the neuroscience of oxytocin and connection). Write it down (how journaling activates your prefrontal cortex and reduces cortisol). Deploy a restorative practice the same day (why timing matters for nervous system reset). Vagal breathing to regulate your dopamine and calm your fight-or-flight response.

This episode is for men who have sex with men in recovery, queer men navigating chemsex addiction, and anyone who has ever white-knuckled it through a hard stretch only to find themselves blindsided by a relapse. Crystal methamphetamine rewires your reward circuits — and this episode gives you the tools to rewire them back.

Don't forget to grab the supplemental study guide linked in the show notes!

Keywords: chemsex, chemsex recovery, crystal methamphetamine recovery, crystal meth, gay men recovery, queer recovery, recovery for men who have sex with men, meth relapse prevention, PNP recovery, emotional relapse, mental relapse, fuck-its in recovery, nervous system regulation, vagal breathing, euphoric recall

To apply for our Group Coaching Program, Recovery Alchemy, click here: https://calendly.com/d/cngd-ymw-cr3

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:5 Finding Sober Community: The Queerity App with Jordan

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/sobercommunity

Study Guide:

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, host Dallas Bragg sits down with Jordan Hurt, New York City-based real estate agent and cast member of the Netflix reality series Owning Manhattan, who made headlines by publicly sharing his sobriety journey on the show's second season. Jordan opens up about a life shaped early by alcoholism, instability, and the challenges of coming out as a gay teenager in Toledo, Ohio with virtually no community or support. His story eventually led him into the sex party scene in New York City, where crystal meth entered the picture — a turning point he describes as instantly recognizable as a descent into hell. He and Dallas explore the nuanced, non-linear nature of recovery, pushing back against the all-or-nothing mindset that can cause men to spiral into shame after a relapse, and instead championing self-compassion, honest goal-setting, and the understanding that setbacks don't erase progress.

The conversation then pivots to Jordan's latest venture: Queerity, billed as the world's first sober LGBTQ+ social, dating, and hookup app. Born from the recognition that mainstream apps like Grindr can be deeply triggering — and in some cases algorithmically engineered to connect users within chemsex culture — Queerity offers a safer digital space where users can identify as sober, sober-curious, or in recovery, explore their sexuality freely, and connect with like-minded people without navigating loaded conversations about drug use. The app includes daily wellness check-ins, community event listings, and sober venue guides, and is intentionally inclusive beyond 12-step frameworks. Dallas encourages listeners in early recovery to download the app not just for connection, but as a way to practice sexual reintegration — rediscovering desire and identity in a space designed to protect their sobriety.

Find Jordan here:

Instagram: @queerityapp

3 months free subscription for anyone who signs up using promo code DRDALLAS

Instagram: @jordvnhurt

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:4 Chemsex Alchemy: Turning Misery into Mission with Darren

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/misery

In this powerful episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas sits down with Darren Murphy, a chemsex specialist practitioner at Forward Leeds Drug and Alcohol Service in the UK, whose journey from crystal meth addiction and drug dealing to frontline recovery work is nothing short of remarkable. Darren opens up about a life shaped by early trauma, undiagnosed ADHD, and a desperate search for the contentment that chemsex drugs provided — a chemical solution to years of self-loathing, emotional abuse, and the painful experience of navigating his gay identity. His story reaches its turning point when a prison sentence for drug trafficking becomes, in his words, the universe giving him what he needed rather than what he wanted — and a pivotal cup of sugary tea becomes the moment he promises himself to turn misery into meaning.

Dallas and Darren explore the distinction between needing to quit and truly wanting to — a framework that resonates deeply for gay men caught in the cycle of chemsex use. Darren shares how his prison rehabilitation, a chance encounter with the Samaritans, and the mentorship of a skilled drugs worker ignited his path toward becoming the first dedicated chemsex support specialist in Leeds. The conversation also offers listeners a practical look at the person-centered, trauma-informed, wraparound care model at Forward Leeds — from harm reduction QR codes in LGBT venues to flexible outreach within the community. Dallas bridges this for U.S. listeners by encouraging them to use this model as a template for asking better questions when seeking help. Both men reflect on the profound truth that chemsex gave them temporary permission to be who they always wanted to be — and how real recovery is the work of becoming that person without the chemical shortcut.

Find Darren Here:

Instagram: @Darren_Murphy46

LinkedIn: Darren Murphy

Organisation Instagram: @forwardleeds

Website: https://www.forwardleeds.co.uk/advice/chemsex-and-being-safer/

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:3 Content Creation Post- Chemsex with Mason Cross

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/contentcreation

Study Guide:

The AfterMeth Podcast | Season 3 | Guest: Mason Cross

In this Season Three episode, Dallas sits down with Mason Cross, a UK-based content creator and former meth user whose recovery journey led him to an unexpected and fulfilling new career in adult content creation — completely sober. Mason shares candidly about his four-year battle with chemsex, which escalated from smoking to intravenous use, and the harrowing moment he developed sepsis after a five-day session — an experience that still wasn't enough to make him stop. What ultimately broke the cycle wasn't a dramatic rock bottom, but exhaustion and a deep inner shift: the realization that meth was no longer part of his identity. Mason's story powerfully illustrates Dallas's recurring message that recovery isn't sparked by consequences alone — it requires a "why" rooted in who you truly are.

Mason also speaks with raw honesty about the fear so many men carry out of chemsex: that sober sex will never measure up. Having gone four years without it, he describes the vulnerability of feeling like a sexual "virgin" again — what Dallas calls a second puberty — and how creating adult content became both his dopamine replacement and an unexpected form of therapy that rewired his relationship with intimacy. He offers practical wisdom for men in early recovery: take a full break from sex before reintroducing it, find something meaningful to fill the void meth once occupied, and lean on community. Mason closes with a heartfelt endorsement of Dallas's coaching, a reminder to "LIGAMO" — Let It Go And Move On — and an unwavering message to anyone still in the thick of it: you can, and you will.

Find Mason on Instagram: @masoncrossx

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:2 Getting Back Into Your Body Post- Chemsex with Court

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/intoyourbody

Dallas sits down with Court Vox — somatic sex and intimacy coach, surrogate partner, and founder of The Body Vox — for a rich conversation about erotic embodiment, conscious sexuality, and what it means to reconnect with your body after meth. Court draws on Audre Lorde's distinction between the erotic and the pornographic to explain how so many men have built their entire sexual identity around visual, performance-driven sex — and how meth both exploits and deepens that disconnection. From the physiological reality of damaged dopamine receptors to the psychological weight of shame-soaked desires, Court and Dallas explore why stopping use is only the beginning of the sexual healing journey, and how practices like mindful masturbation, body-based exploration, and sitting with discomfort (rather than fleeing it) can begin to rewire the nervous system toward genuine pleasure and presence.

The conversation takes a particularly vulnerable turn as Dallas reflects on his own lingering distrust of gay men and the emotional fallout of non-consensual experiences during active use — and Court meets him there with compassion and practical wisdom. They tackle the common challenge of men returning to monogamous partnerships post-recovery who feel little or no attraction to their partners, and Court offers a reframe rooted in radical honesty, desire literacy, and the courage to have uncomfortable conversations that can either transform or clarify a relationship. Court also demystifies surrogate partner therapy as a slow, triadic, trauma-informed model — not a shortcut, but a profound path from fear to freedom — and shares details about his upcoming retreats and group events for men ready to explore their eroticism in community.

Find Court Here:

Instagram: @courtvox

Website: https://thebodyvox.com/

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 3:1 Rebuilding Life Post-Treatment with Martijn

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/rebuildinglife

Study Guide:

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas sits down with Martijn, co-founder of the Herstelcollectief —a Netherlands-based aftercare coaching organization serving men coming out of chemsex and addiction treatment. Martijn shares how the gap between clinical care and everyday life motivated him and his partner Jeroen to launch the collective, after witnessing multiple chemsex-related deaths in Amsterdam's small community within a short timespan. The Herstelcollectief or 'Recovery Collective' in English, offers one-on-one coaching focused on structure, connection, identity, sexuality, and community—bridging the dangerous "gray area" between treatment discharge and sustainable recovery. Martijn also describes his years of volunteer chemsex counseling at Amsterdam's free sexual health clinic, and the collective's new crowdfunding initiative to establish a foundation that will make coaching accessible to those who can't afford it.

Dallas and Martijn find deep common ground on several key recovery themes: the critical importance of community and connection (rather than treating recovery as a solely individual endeavor), the power of building structure through small, consistent daily habits, and the way limiting beliefs—like "I'm an addict" or "I'm an introvert"—can quietly sabotage progress if left unexamined. The conversation is warm, honest, and packed with practical wisdom, touching on everything from how to rebuild community after chemsex to the role of "opposite action" from DBT in daily recovery. Dallas also shares his vision for an AfterMeth Foundation, inspired by what Martijn is building in the Netherlands, leaving listeners with a sense of what's possible when lived experience and genuine community come together in service of recovery.

Please consider to donate and share the crowdfunding for the Recovery Fund: https://whydonate.com/nl/fundraising/herstelcollectief

Find Martijn and Herstelcollectief here:

Website: https://www.herstelcollectief.nl

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/108069535/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herstelcollectief/

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

Best of Season 2: Attachment Styles and Chemsex Addiction with Mauricio

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Blog: https://www.drmaualvarez.com/reflections/wired-for-connection

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/attachment

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg and clinical psychologist Mauricio Alvarez explore the intersection of chemsex, addiction, and mental health, particularly among men who have sex with men.

The conversation covers:

• Mauricio's background in neuroscience and clinical psychology

• The neurobiological and psychodynamic aspects of addiction

• How different attachment styles (anxious, avoidant, and disorganized) manifest in relationships and influence recovery

• The impact of trauma on attachment and behavior, especially within the LGBTQ+ community

• Therapeutic approaches to understanding triggers and healing relationships

• The challenges of rebuilding trust and connection after addiction

• The dynamics of caretaking behaviors and avoidance mechanisms

• Unique considerations for individuals in sex work

• The importance of emotional regulation, self-compassion, and mentalizing in recovery

Throughout the discussion, the hosts emphasize an integrated approach to support services and provide insights on fostering healthier relationships during the recovery journey.

Find Dr. Mauricio Alvarez here:

Instagram @drmaualvarez

Website: https://www.drmaualvarez.com

Tina Archetypes posts:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DE3UiKAs_oQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/DE0rk4Qs7bm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

Best of Season 2: Loving Yourself AfterMeth with Brian Spitulik

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/lovingyourself

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, host Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews therapist Brian Spitulnik, who has gained significant attention on social media for his work with gay men. Brian, a psychotherapist who works primarily within a psychodynamic and Internal Family Systems framework, discusses his therapeutic approach to understanding addiction and mental health. He explains how different "parts" of ourselves, including the part that reaches for substances like crystal meth, actually have positive intentions and are trying to protect or help us in some way. Rather than viewing addiction as a disease to be fought, Brian advocates for understanding and having compassion for these parts, eventually giving them new roles rather than trying to eliminate them.

The conversation explores broader issues affecting the gay male community, including the loneliness epidemic, the impact of hookup apps like Grindr and Sniffies on addiction patterns, and how historical trauma from the AIDS crisis continues to affect gay men today. Brian draws parallels between the current crystal meth crisis and the AIDS epidemic, noting how both have been shrouded in stigma and silence within the community. The discussion emphasizes the importance of open dialogue about chemsex and methamphetamine use, while highlighting the need for both therapy and spiritual connection in recovery. Brian also shares his upcoming mental health app called "Gayfully," designed to help gay men connect authentically and work on their mental health together.

Contact Brian here: Instagram: @Spitulnik Tiktok: @Spitulnik

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

100th Episode and Season 2 Finale: 7 Daily Practices for Chemsex Recovery

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/GuidedPractices

Study Guide:

In celebration of Episode 100 of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas Bragg delivers a milestone solo episode reflecting on two years of conversations that have reached men across the globe — men who have listened in hotel rooms to avoid using, found hope while coming down, or simply needed to feel seen. With gratitude and momentum, Dallas closes out Season Two by sharing seven guiding practices designed to strengthen chemsex recovery from the inside out — not through willpower or shame, but through daily, intentional action rooted in self-awareness and personal responsibility.

The seven practices — acknowledging the gifts and costs of the chemsex experience, claiming personal power, examining life with curiosity instead of condemnation, living through core values, committing to consistent daily change, honoring personal energy and boundaries, and maintaining authentic connection to self — form a holistic framework for building a life so fulfilling that escape is no longer needed. Weaving together coaching insights, client stories, and concepts like alchemy and mindfulness, Dallas invites listeners to move from victim to creator, from shame to gold. Season Three begins March 26th, 2026.In celebration of Episode 100 of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas Bragg delivers a milestone solo episode reflecting on two years of conversations that have reached men across the globe — men who have listened in hotel rooms to avoid using, found hope while coming down, or simply needed to feel seen. With gratitude and momentum, Dallas closes out Season Two by sharing seven guiding practices designed to strengthen chemsex recovery from the inside out — not through willpower or shame, but through daily, intentional action rooted in self-awareness and personal responsibility.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:50: Top Pitfalls of Chemsex Recovery with Dallas and Bobby

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/pitfalls

Study Guide:

The AfterMeth Podcast welcomes assistant coach Bobby for a candid, experience-driven conversation about the most common pitfalls that hold men back in chemsex recovery. Dallas and Bobby each bring their own list of recovery obstacles to the table, comparing notes in real time to give listeners a comprehensive look at what actually gets in the way of progress. From "othering" other men in recovery as a way to avoid admitting the depth of one's own struggle, to inconsistency, isolation, dishonesty, and the trap of relying on willpower alone — the episode names the patterns that quietly sabotage even the most motivated clients.

Together, Dallas and Bobby emphasize that recovery success isn't measured by whether someone uses or not, but by a broader set of metrics: relationships, self-trust, emotional regulation, and momentum. They dig into practical strategies like structured weekend planning, blocking apps, building a support network outside of Grindr, and responding to relapse as a learning opportunity rather than a reason to start over. Drawing openly from their own lived experiences in recovery, both men offer the kind of grounded, shame-free honesty that makes this episode a valuable resource for anyone navigating chemsex recovery — whether they're brand new or stuck in a cycle they can't seem to break.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:49 Building Your Chemsex Free Community with Beau

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/chemsexcommunity

Supplemental Study Guide:

In this episode, Dallas is joined by Beau, creator of the Gather app, for an honest conversation about the challenge so many gay and queer men face in recovery: how do you build genuine community when your entire social world was built around chemsex, hookup apps, and party culture? Both Dallas and Beau share their personal journeys of recognizing the armor they built to survive homophobia — and how substances became a shortcut to the connection, playfulness, and belonging they were desperate for. They explore how media, pornography, and cultural pressure shaped narrow expectations of what it means to be gay, and how recovery becomes an opportunity to finally ask: who am I, really?

The conversation turns to practical ways of rebuilding connection — from attending ecstatic dance and cuddle puddles to joining run clubs, volunteering with queer nonprofits, and taking small, brave steps like simply walking into a room of strangers and smiling. Beau introduces the Gather app as a community-driven alternative to Grindr, designed to help queer people post spontaneous, low-pressure meetups — a walk in the park, a book club, a life drawing class — and find others nearby who share their vibe. Dallas and Beau both emphasize that the path forward requires self-compassion, pushing past discomfort, and a collective commitment to showing up for one another in new ways.

Download the Gather App: https://www.letsgather.app/

Find Beau here: Instagram @gaybritishbear

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:47 Healing for Couples Affected by Chemsex

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/HealingRelationships

Supplemental Study Guide:

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, host Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Tom Bruett, LMFT and certified sex therapist, to explore the complex dynamics of relationships affected by crystal meth use. Tom, founder of the Queer Relationship Institute and author of "The Go To Relationship Guide for Gay Men," brings his extensive expertise working with queer couples through the challenges of chemsex addiction. The conversation tackles difficult questions many listeners face: What happens when one partner is using and the other isn't? How does meth become a "third partner" in the relationship, competing for attachment and attention? Tom emphasizes that honesty forms the foundation for healing, explaining how repeated betrayals create trauma for non-using partners and erode trust in ways that go beyond the drug use itself. He candidly addresses the reality that rebuilding a relationship during active use is nearly impossible, as meth fundamentally alters brain chemistry and becomes the primary attachment object, making meaningful connection with a partner extremely difficult.

The discussion then shifts to recovery and sexual reintegration, offering both hope and realistic expectations for couples navigating this journey. Tom shares that rebuilding trust requires "new experiences"—not just stopping use, but actively bringing partners into the recovery process through vulnerable sharing about cravings, triggers, and close calls. He addresses one of the most common concerns: the fear that sex will never feel the same again after meth. Rather than offering false promises, Tom encourages couples to grieve what was lost while expanding their definition of intimacy and sexual connection, starting small with touch, massage, and emotional presence rather than expecting immediate return to previous patterns. He outlines the importance of both partners getting support—the person in recovery needs their own resources, while the non-using partner often needs therapy or coaching to process their own trauma and learn when to set firm boundaries. Throughout the conversation, Tom validates the profound grief both partners experience while emphasizing that recovery is possible when couples are willing to do the heavy lifting of honest communication, boundary-setting, and rebuilding their foundation together.

Socials-

Instagram- @queerrelationshipinstitute

Youtube- @queerrelationshipinstitute

Tiktok- @therapywithTom

website: www.queerrelationshipinstitute.com

Book: The Go-To Relationship Guide for Gay Men: https://a.co/d/iF2IAD0

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:46 Finding Your Chemsex Recovery Plan with Shane

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/ChemsexRecovery

Supplemental Study Guide:

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, host Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Shane Mayson, a recovery and life coach and interventionist with 22 years of personal recovery experience. Shane shares his journey from discovering drugs at age 13 in Charleston, South Carolina, through his progression to methamphetamine use in New York City in 1989, and ultimately finding recovery in 1994 through 12-step programs. He candidly discusses growing up gay in a religious household with a Pentecostal preacher father, the shame he carried, and how substances initially felt like the solution he'd been searching for before his life spiraled to homelessness and a critical turning point.

The conversation explores the distinction between life coaching and recovery coaching, with Shane explaining that while life coaching helps clients discover their own answers through curiosity and questioning, recovery coaching requires more direct guidance on essential boundaries like changing phone numbers and cutting contact with using networks. Both Shane and Dallas emphasize the irreplaceable value of peer-to-peer support in recovery, noting that while clinical therapy has its place, the lived experience of someone who has navigated chemsex addiction brings a unique understanding that cannot be taught in a classroom. Shane's approach blends compassionate intervention with practical recovery tools, highlighting that recovery is possible and that the journey continues to evolve even decades into sobriety.

Find Shane here:

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanemayson/

Instagram: @shane_mayson

Email : Shane@steadfast-support.com

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:45 Eroticism for Chemsex Recovery with Dr. Tom

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/Eroticism

Supplemental Study Guide:

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, host Dr. Dallas Bragg welcomes back Dr. Thomas Gaither, a urologist and academic researcher specializing in MSM sexual health, to explore the concept of eroticism and sexual reintegration after chemsex addiction. Drawing from Jack Morin's book "The Erotic Mind," they discuss the four cornerstones of eroticism: violating prohibitions, longing and anticipation, searching for power, and overcoming ambivalence. Dr. Gaither introduces the framework of sexual "accelerators and brakes," emphasizing that addressing psychological barriers like internalized homophobia, anxiety, and self-hate is more crucial than adding stimulants to achieve arousal. The conversation centers on helping men who struggle to reconnect with their sexuality after meth use, particularly those who associate sexual thoughts exclusively with drug cravings or feel sexually numb years into recovery.

The discussion provides practical tools for sexual healing, including an exercise in identifying "peak erotic experiences" (PEEs) from pre-addiction periods to map one's natural arousal template. Dr. Gaither explains the concept of "core erotic themes"—unfinished emotional business from childhood that manifests in sexual experiences—and how understanding these patterns can help reclaim agency over one's sexuality. Both hosts emphasize that diminishing sexual desire during recovery may actually signal healthy growth rather than dysfunction, encouraging patience as the brain rewires itself without chemical stimulation. The episode addresses common post-addiction challenges including erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, and porn dependency, while reinforcing that 90% of sexual function originates in the brain and requires introspection beyond medical interventions.

Find Dr. Tom here:

IG is @that_prostate_doctor

Tiktok is: @that_prostate_doctor

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:44 Artificial Intelligence for Chemsex Recovery with Richard

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/ArtificialIntelligence

Supplemental Study Guide:

In this episode, Dallas welcomes Richard, a 59-year-old from the UK with a background in finance, who shares his innovative approach to Chemsex recovery through AI assistance. Richard discovered the power of AI (specifically Claude and ChatGPT) while managing a difficult situation with a narcissistic housemate, where AI helped him keep facts steady amid gaslighting and emotional manipulation. He then realized the same principles applied to his addiction—selective memory, distorted thinking, and the fantasy of control. After years of struggling with traditional 12-step programs that didn't fully address the arousal-based nature of Chemsex addiction, Richard found AI to be an invaluable "thinking partner" that provides shame-free, judgment-free support available 24/7. He emphasizes that AI isn't a replacement for human connection, but rather a supplement that helps him process cravings, manage impulses, organize his thoughts, and work through the unglamorous daily moments where addiction festers in the dark.

The conversation explores practical applications of AI in recovery, including using it as a comedown partner, an impulse buffer before sending emotionally-charged texts, a dream interpreter, and a tool for sexual template normalization planning. Richard candidly discusses how Chemsex differs from other addictions because meth and sex become completely fused—he describes it as a cue-initiated, arousal-based addiction rather than an emotional one. Dallas and Richard address common concerns about AI use, including data privacy and the importance of using AI alongside (not instead of) human support, particularly in crisis situations. Richard is currently focused on sexual reintegration after recognizing that abstinence from meth without addressing the sexual component isn’t true recovery. The episode offers listeners practical insights into leveraging AI technology as an additional recovery tool while maintaining realistic expectations about its role in the healing journey.

Find Richard Here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-day-4125061b5/

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:43 Mindful Masturbation for Chemsex Recovery with Kevin

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/Mindfulmasturbation

In this essential episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg welcomes back Coach Kevin Martin (the Pleasure Priest) to explore mindful masturbation as a critical tool for sexual reintegration after Chemsex addiction. Kevin explains that mindful masturbation means bringing consciousness and intention to self-pleasure—moving beyond the automatic "grab phone, pull up porn, rub one out" routine to ask "what am I needing right now?" The practice involves scheduling a dedicated self-pleasure date, creating a pleasurable atmosphere using all five senses, eliminating distractions (especially phones and porn), and exploring the body with gentle curiosity rather than rushing toward orgasm. Kevin emphasizes that the goal isn't to come but to notice what pleasure feels like, which helps men discover their natural arousal template versus what was chemically hijacked by meth.

The conversation addresses deeper themes of worthiness, permission, and shame that prevent many men from experiencing pleasure, particularly those coming from religious or judgment-based backgrounds. Kevin shares that simply giving oneself permission to feel pleasure can be transformative for clients, and that this practice serves as a powerful tool for emotional regulation, craving management, body reconnection, and distinguishing between meth-influenced sexual interests and authentic desires. Both hosts stress that mindful masturbation is a practice requiring patience and persistence—initial attempts may feel awkward or frustrating, but with time it becomes a profound form of self-awareness that extends benefits across all areas of recovery and life. Resources mentioned include Kevin's OnlyFans content modeling mindful practices and Powers of Man's "deep stroke sequence" technique.

Find Coach Kevin Here:

IG: @coachkevmartin

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:42 Loneliness is a Gift with Phil

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/lonelinessgift

In this essential episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg welcomes Phil McAuliffe, founder of Humans:Connecting and The Loneliness Guy to explore one of the top reasons gay men relapse in recovery from crystal meth addiction: loneliness. Phil reframes loneliness as a vital signal—like hunger or thirst—that our connection needs aren't being met, rather than a problem to fix or numb through scrolling, using, or other distractions. He introduces the powerful concept that admitting loneliness is akin to saying "I feel unworthy of love and belonging," which explains why men often won't acknowledge their loneliness until after they've relapsed. The conversation dismantles common platitudes like "you're not alone" and "just put yourself out there," revealing how these well-meaning responses often miss the mark and why loneliness carries such debilitating stigma in our community.

Phil shares his framework of the "three pillars of connection"—connection to self, connection to those most important to you, and connection to community—emphasizing that meaningful connection requires showing up authentically rather than wearing masks or performing competence. He introduces the critical insight that loneliness "dances in a trio" with shame and trauma, meaning addressing loneliness often requires courage to examine these deeper wounds. Practical tools discussed include owning loneliness through language ("I'm experiencing loneliness" versus "I'm lonely"), getting relentlessly curious rather than judgmental, asking for consent before sharing your loneliness with others, and committing to six months of persistence when trying new connection activities. The episode reinforces that recovery work—whether from addiction or loneliness—takes time, effort, and patience, but ultimately, you are worth it.

Find Phil here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-mcauliffe/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humans_connecting/

Connection Resolutions Download: https://www.humansconnecting.org/downloads/connection-resolutions

Connection Starter Course: https://www.humansconnecting.org/connection-starter-course

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:41 Encore: Fuck Like a Porn Star with Jayson Parker

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/jayson

In this episode of The AfterMeth podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Jayson Parker, a successful adult content creator who transformed his relationship with sex and intimacy after overcoming methamphetamine addiction. This raw, honest conversation explores one of recovery's most challenging topics: rebuilding a healthy sex life after meth.

What You'll Learn:
The Journey from Addiction to Recovery:
• How religious trauma and shame led to meth as an "escape"
• The moment when your heart changes but your body keeps using
• Why Jason took a 3-year break from dating apps (and why it worked)
• The power of saying "for now" instead of "never"

Rebuilding Your Relationship with Sex:
• How to grieve the loss of your addiction without demonizing it
• The difference between performance and authentic connection
• Why "sober sex is better" isn't about physical sensation
• Navigating triggers, orgies, and high-risk situations in recovery

Practical Recovery Strategies:
• The importance of radical self-honesty and vulnerability
• Building a support network of sexually liberated people in recovery
• How to know when you're ready to return to dating apps
• Creating accountability systems that actually work

Breaking Stigma:
• Why you can't hate yourself into a new life
• The surprising reality of drug use in the porn industry
• How connection truly is the opposite of addiction

Key Takeaways:"You can't shame yourself into compliance with a new way of life. You can't hate yourself into a new life.""I had to look at what positive things came from my addiction... I got wonderful gifts that I probably would never have gotten. And yet, this thing cannot be in my life anymore.""The only way to have sex in recovery is to have sex in recovery."

About Jayson Parker:
Jayson Parker is a successful adult content creator who quit his job as a money laundering investigator to pursue porn full-time. Born and raised Mormon in Utah, he overcame religious trauma, meth addiction, and sexual shame to build a thriving career in adult entertainment. He's an ambassador for Sniffies and Mr. S Leather, and is organizing the first-ever Pepper Diet Academy conference focused on sex, intimacy, and relationships in recovery.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:40 The Sociology of Chemsex with Chris

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Supplimental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/sociology

In this episode, host Dallas Bragg sits down with Dr. Chris Conner, Stephen O Murray Faculty in Residence at Michigan State University. Dr. Conner has taught Drugs and Society for 7 years, and shares insights from research on Chemsex use in the gay community. He identifies two particularly vulnerable age groups: 15-24 year-olds and those 40 and older. For younger men, substance use often provides a way to manage anxieties around coming out, potential homelessness, and navigating sex in a society uncomfortable discussing gay intimacy. For older gay men, crystal meth becomes a response to feeling invisible and sexually undesirable after turning 40—a pattern that traces back to when meth first entered the gay club scene in the 1990s and 2000s, affecting this generation when they were in their twenties.

Dr. Christopher T. Conner
Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Missouri-Columbia

Stephen O. Murray Scholar-In-Residence at Michigan State University

📧 Chris.Conner@missouri.edu
📞 573-882-8331
🌐 www.chrisconner.net

Resources:

Party Boi Documentary https://partyboidocumentary.com/

Chemsex (Vice Documentary). https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5073738/

Do I sound Gay https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3997238/

Tea Room Trade https://www.amazon.com/Tearoom-Trade-Impersonal-public-Observations/dp/0202302830

Something for the weekend: Life in The Chemsex Underworld https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/36002677-something-for-the-weekend

The complex social, cultural and psychological drivers of the ‘chemsex’ experiences of men who have sex with men... https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1422775/full

Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Behavioral Health: Results from the 2021 2022 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. https://web.archive.org/web/20250125022513/https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt41899/2022NSDUHLGBBrief061623.pdf

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:39 Chemsex Advocacy: A Gay Man Using His Voice with Giulio

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/matter

Supplemental Study Guide:

In this compelling episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, host Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Giulio, an Italian activist who holds the unique titles of Mr. Gay Italy 2010, Mr. Gay Europe 2011, and Mr. Gay World 2025. Giulio shares his personal journey through chemsex addiction, revealing how what began as controlled recreational drug use with his partner evolved into problematic use following life disruptions including COVID-19, job loss, and a painful breakup. As a neurodivergent person diagnosed with autism and ADHD, Giulio explains how substances like G and mephedrone initially helped him overcome anxiety around casual sex and quieted his overthinking mind, creating what he describes as a "psychological addiction" that extended beyond the biological dependence.

The conversation takes a hopeful turn as Giulio discusses his recovery process, emphasizing the importance of curiosity over condemnation when understanding addiction. He shares insights from his intensive study of neuroscience and the dopamine reward system, particularly Dr. Anna Lembke's concept of the "30-day rule" for brain restoration. Currently working with Controlling Chemsex, Giulio openly addresses the challenges of his "second puberty"—relearning sober sex and intimacy after four years without it—while grieving the confidence substances once provided. He advocates for reducing stigma around chemsex by recognizing addiction as a broader societal issue affecting connection and wellbeing, using his platform in the Mr. Gay World competition to courageously bring this critical topic to the global stage.

Find Giulio here: IG: @julio_mrgayworld2025

Controlling Chemsex: https://controllingchemsex.com/

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:38 Intervention Advice for Families with Brad

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/intervention

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews renowned interventionist Brad Lamm, who has conducted over 1,300 interventions and brings both professional expertise and lived experience with methamphetamine addiction. Lamm shares his journey of struggling with meth from 1986 through 2002, highlighting the profound shame and isolation that often accompanies addiction in the LGBTQ+ community—particularly for those raised in evangelical environments that pathologized their identities. The discussion explores harm reduction and moderation management approaches as alternatives to abstinence-only models, with Lamm emphasizing the importance of setting realistic, achievable goals that build self-trust rather than perpetuating the all-or-nothing thinking that often traps people in cycles of relapse and shame. He introduces the "more good, less bad" framework and stresses that with a 90% relapse rate in the first year for chemsex recovery, meeting people where they're at is essential.

The heart of the episode focuses on practical guidance for family members who feel helpless watching a loved one struggle with addiction. Lamm introduces his "invitational intervention" method, which challenges the traditional surprise-ambush model by openly inviting the person to their own intervention—a gathering where loved ones share what they've witnessed, their hopes, and their fears in a compassionate, non-judgmental way. He helps families distinguish between healthy and unhealthy codependency, encouraging them to audit the financial and relational costs of their current support patterns while creating boundaries rooted in love rather than punishment. Throughout the conversation, both Lamm and Bragg emphasize viewing addiction through the lens of brain chemistry and trauma rather than moral failure, offering families permission to trust that their compassionate intervention is unlikely to make things worse—and that if they're asking themselves whether it's time to seek help, the answer is almost always yes.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:37 The Myth of Abstinence with Dr. Adi Jaffe

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

https://www.adijaffe.com/unhooked

Supplimental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/abstinence

In this powerful episode, host Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with addiction expert Dr. Adi Jaffe, bestselling author of "The Abstinence Myth" and "Unhooked," to challenge conventional recovery approaches. Dr. Jaffe argues that the traditional recovery system is fundamentally broken, pointing out that fewer than 10% of people struggling with addiction access help, and 90% of those who enter 12-step programs leave within a year. The conversation explores alternative metrics for measuring recovery success beyond consecutive days of sobriety, including percentage of days abstinent, quality of life improvements, and overall well-being. Dr. Jaffe shares his perspective that substances are merely endpoints—tools we use to cope with underlying pain, shame, and unexamined beliefs—rather than the root problem itself.

The episode dives deep into the importance of reframing relapse as a learning opportunity rather than catastrophic failure, emphasizing that recovery is about gradual progress and reducing harm, not achieving instant perfection. Dr. Jaffe introduces his SPARROW model and EAT cycle (Explore, Accept, Transform) as frameworks for understanding triggers and processing difficult emotions and past behaviors, particularly the shame many gay men carry around hypersexual or taboo experiences during chemsex. Both speakers emphasize that true recovery involves confronting our deepest darkness with compassion, challenging the beliefs we've internalized about ourselves, and recognizing that we're all working with "delusions"—the question is whether we choose beliefs that serve our healing or keep us trapped in shame. The overarching message: recovery is a journey home to self, and it's worth the hard work to discover the life waiting on the other side.

You can reach Dr. Adi Jaffe here:

Instagram:

dradijaffe

His book “Unhooked”:

Website:

https://www.adijaffe.com

Adi’s Recovery Program:

https://www.igntd.com

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:36 Using Comedy to Heal Chemsex Misuse With Alex

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/comedy

Supplimental Study Guide

In this episode, host Dr. Dallas Bragg welcomes Alex Parsons, a standup comedian, improviser, and actor from Asheville, North Carolina, who shares his raw and honest journey through crystal meth addiction and recovery. Alex, who identifies as neurodivergent with an ADHD diagnosis (and a previous misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder), traces his path from his first use in Boston in 2010 through years of active addiction that included psychosis, the "Tina Honeymoon" phenomenon of intense early connections while using, and the isolating cycle of chasing that initial high. After moving to Asheville in hopes of leaving his addiction behind, Alex discovered standup comedy at an open mic night just one week after arriving—a pivotal moment that created a crucial tether to reality and gave him something beyond substance use to commit to, even as he continued using for two more years.

The turning point came in August 2024 when Alex hit rock bottom after gambling away his rent money and spending five days in active addiction. Standing on a bridge contemplating suicide, an anxious thought about potentially harming a random cyclist saved his life, leading him to contact his boss and enter Oasis Recovery Center for 35 days. Now in active recovery, Alex uses standup comedy not just as personal healing but as a platform for accountability and community dialogue about addiction in the queer population. He emphasizes the importance of doing the therapeutic work privately before bringing stories to the stage, noting that comedy provides psychological distance from trauma and decreases shame—both for himself and his audiences—while being careful not to glorify war stories. His approach demonstrates how creativity can serve as both recovery tool and public service, stripping addiction of its power through truth-telling wrapped in laughter.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:35 The Resurrection of Recovery with Jacques

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/resurrection

Supplimental Study Guide:

In this powerful episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, host Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Jacques, a South African survivor who shares his remarkable 11-year journey with crystal meth and his successful recovery without formal rehabilitation. Jacques opens up about how low self-esteem, body dysmorphia, and internalized homophobia created the perfect storm for addiction, beginning with casual hookup culture and eventually progressing to weekly meth use with his partner Pierre. Their story takes a unique turn as both partners decided to break free together, defying the common belief that couples must separate to recover. Jacques candidly discusses the challenges of crossing the line into IV use, experiencing psychosis, and the moment he finally heard the internal voice telling him that recovery was waiting on his decision to act.

Dr. Bragg highlights 13 concrete recovery strategies that Jacques employed, including intention-setting, creating new weekend patterns, building a support network, practicing radical honesty with family, staying in the same location to "rebrand" traumatic memories, rearranging his physical environment, using mirror work and positive affirmations, and recognizing his higher power working through others. Now over three years clean and sober, Jacques demonstrates that recovery is possible without rehab when you're willing to do the deep internal work, reconnect with people who knew you before addiction, and commit to rewriting your story one day at a time. His testimony offers hope and a practical roadmap for anyone seeking to break free from the grip of Chemsex addiction.

Find Jacques here:

Email: jacquesviljoen@gmx.com

Instagram: jacques22z

Facebook: jacques.viljoen.752

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

Ep 2:34 Neurodivergence and Chemsex Recovery with Brian

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/neurodivergence

Supplemental Study Guide:

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, host Dr. Dallas Bragg welcomes New York City psychotherapist Brian Molloy for an in-depth exploration of ADHD and neurodiversity as they relate to chemsex addiction. Both a mental health counselor and a person living with ADHD, Brian brings firsthand experience as a person in recovery to the conversation. Together, they examine how ADHD's core features—including executive dysfunction, emotional dysregulation, impulse control challenges, and rejection sensitivity dysphoria—can intensify the struggles of addiction and recovery. Brian explains that people with ADHD experience emotions more intensely and may turn to crystal meth not just for sexual enhancement, but for the profound relief it provides from constant mental overwhelm, making the reward system even stronger than for neurotypical users.

The conversation moves beyond diagnosis to practical recovery strategies, emphasizing the critical need for structure, support systems, and compassion. Brian discusses tools like body doubling, ice therapy for managing cravings, and the importance of detailed scheduling—particularly during vulnerable periods. Both guests stress that people with ADHD in early recovery may need extra barriers and safety nets, as willpower and self-control are already compromised by the condition itself. A powerful theme emerges around reducing stigma: Brian urges the community to stop casually claiming ADHD without proper diagnosis, as this trivializes the genuine struggles of those living with it. The episode concludes with a call for the LGBTQ+ community to lead with empathy rather than shame, recognizing that individuals navigating both addiction and neurodivergence face compounded layers of trauma that require understanding, not judgment.

Find Brian here:

Instagram: @Breakthroughs_with_Brian

Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1482175

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

Bonus Episode: From Slamming to Sober: Alex's Story

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this powerful episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, host Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Alex, a client who successfully completed the Recovery Alchemy program after battling severe crystal meth addiction. Alex shares his compelling journey from childhood trauma—including molestation at age five and growing up with a father struggling with addiction—to discovering Adderall at 19, which temporarily quieted his debilitating anxiety and OCD symptoms. What began as weekend Adderall use while hooking up with men on Craigslist eventually escalated to daily crystal meth use after his first encounter with the drug in March 2022. Despite being married to his wife Amy and caring for their son Rye, who was battling a rare blood condition, Alex spiraled into a secret double life that consumed him completely.

After being exposed when Amy discovered Grindr and drug dealers on his phone during a hospital visit for sepsis, Alex cycled through multiple rehab facilities, sober living homes, and relapses over the course of a year. He eventually learned to inject meth and hit rock bottom during a four-month relapse while house-sitting for his mother. Working with Dr. Dallas Bragg's virtual coaching program, Alex was able to taper down from 0.7 grams of IV meth daily to zero, and has now maintained four months of sobriety. Today, Alex is rebuilding relationships with his son and ex-wife, working again, and experiencing genuine self-love and confidence for the first time in his life—crediting the Recovery Alchemy group for truly understanding the devastating nature of chemsex addiction.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:33 ChemFriendly: Safety for Sex Workers with Andres

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/chemfriendly

In this episode, host Dr. Dallas Bragg welcomes Andres Lekanger, chairman of Chemfriendly Norway, to discuss Chemsex, drug use, and harm reduction within the queer community. The conversation explores how Chemsex is defined differently depending on context and community needs—ranging from a broad definition including various drugs to narrower clinical definitions focused on methamphetamine, GHB, and mephedrone. Andres emphasizes the importance of terminology, particularly how people may not identify as sex workers even when exchanging sex for drugs, and advocates for practitioners to be clear about their definitions. The discussion highlights why healthcare professionals must understand that sexual health is integral to overall wellbeing, particularly for non-asexual individuals.

The episode also features discussion of Chemfriendly Norway's "Ask First" campaign, which addresses consent issues within Chemsex contexts. The campaign features testimonies from MSM participants, non-binary individuals, and sex workers about consent violations and rape myths, while providing practical harm reduction advice and resources. Andres emphasizes that both victims and perpetrators of sexual assault deserve support and that drug users reporting crimes should feel safe doing so without legal consequences for their drug use. He stresses that empowering drug users and sex workers themselves to take responsibility in these conversations is a powerful tool for fighting stigma, and notes that Chemfriendly Norway's resources are accessible globally through their English-language social media, website, and information videos.

ChemFriendly: https://www.en.chemfriendly.no/

Campaign: askfirst.no

Contact Andres LeKanger: Chemfriendly_Norge (instagram)

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:32 The Art of Intimate Connection with Zari

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplimental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/connectionI

In this powerful episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg speaks with Zari, an artist and author living on a remote Greek island, about his groundbreaking book "Play With Me" - a collection of intimacy games designed to help men reconnect with authentic sexual experiences after chemsex addiction. Zari shares his personal journey of recognizing the emptiness of transactional hookup culture and drug-fueled encounters, explaining how he developed these games as a way to slow down, build genuine connection, and rewire the brain's association between sex and substances. The book features illustrated stories based on real experiences and includes games like strip domino and tantric breathing exercises that encourage partners to pause, feel comfortable in their bodies, and rediscover anticipation and desire without chemical enhancement.

The conversation emphasizes that sexual healing after meth addiction requires patience, consistency, and a willingness to experiment with new approaches - even if the sex isn't immediately satisfying. Zari stresses that recovery means slowing down, getting out of comfort zones, and accepting that rewiring the sexual brain is a gradual process with no magic shortcuts. He encourages listeners to be open to the universe sending them partners willing to try something different, noting that roughly one in five people are curious enough to explore these connection-focused games. The book is currently live on Kickstarter, offering a tangible roadmap for men seeking to reclaim intimacy, overcome performance anxiety and erectile dysfunction, and discover that profound connection is possible without drugs.

Book’s official website: https://www.playwithmebook.com

Kickstarter Campaign (preorder): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zari/playwithmebook?ref=4705cl

Instagram - Book: https://www.instagram.com/playwithme.book/

Instagram - Zari: https://www.instagram.com/zari.plays/

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:31: Chemsex And the Brain with Stephen

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplimental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/brain

In this episode, host Dr. Dallas Bragg speaks with Dr. Stephen Naulls, a psychiatrist based in Brighton, UK, about his groundbreaking research initiative "Chem Sex and the Brain." Dr. Naulls explains the significant gap in current research: while individual substances like crystal meth have been studied, no brain imaging research exists examining Chemsex as a unique phenomenon involving polysubstance use (crystal meth, GHB/GBL, mephedrone, and ketamine) combined with sexual activity. He defines Chemsex as inextricably linked to the LGBTQ+ community's experience of minority stress, historical trauma from the HIV/AIDS crisis, and shame around queer sexuality. He also describes that not all chemsex involvement is necessarily problematic. Dr. Naulls shares how his interest began as a medical student encountering dismissive treatment of Chemsex users in emergency departments, recognizing that established addiction pathways existed for other substances but not for this population.

The conversation delves into the neurobiology of addiction, focusing on dopamine pathways and how brain imaging technology can reveal changes in the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens—the brain's main reward centers. Dr. Naulls is currently recruiting participants in the UK for brain scanning studies to understand both short and long-term neurological impacts of Chemsex use. He emphasizes that comprehensive harm reduction requires understanding all the harms first, and hopes this research will reduce stigma by demonstrating the biological impact on the brain. The episode concludes with encouraging news that drug-induced psychosis is reversible with proper psychiatric treatment, and Dr. Naulls stresses the need for better cultural competence among mental health providers when working with the Chemsex-using population.

Find Stephen's work:

IG: @chemsexbrain

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:30 The Gift of Rock Bottom with Kevin

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/rockbottom

Study Guide:

This episode features Kevin R. Davis, a 56-year-old model who will celebrate seven and a half years of recovery from crystal meth addiction next month. Kevin's journey began with 20 years of use, initially to manage chronic pain and undiagnosed ADHD, which later became intertwined with his sexuality and intimacy. His path to recovery started with a 50-day jail sentence for possession, followed by rehabilitation in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he rebuilt his life from the ground up after experiencing homelessness and unemployment.

About a year into recovery, Kevin was approached by a photographer for romance novel cover work—an opportunity he almost declined due to deep-seated insecurities. Despite his fears, he stepped outside his comfort zone and has since appeared on over 230 romance book covers, developed a following of 201,000 on Instagram, and is now breaking into fashion modeling with an upcoming appearance at Atlanta Fashion Week. Kevin openly shares his recovery story on social media, transforming what was once a source of shame into a platform for hope. He discusses the challenges of sexual reintegration after years of chemsex use, including a seven-year period of celibacy, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a "rock bottom perspective"—staying grateful for progress while being intentional about triggers and recovery boundaries. His message: life after addiction can be better than you ever imagined.

You can contact Kevin on his Intagram: @kevinrdavis.official

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:29 Dating AfterMeth with Coach Danny

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplimental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/dating

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, host Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Coach Danny Morales, a Dating and Relationship Coach who specializes in helping gay and bisexual men build self-confidence and navigate healthy relationships. The conversation explores the complexities of bisexual identity within the LGBTQ+ community, addressing common misconceptions and the invalidation bisexual men often face from both gay and heterosexual communities. Coach Danny emphasizes that sexuality exists on a spectrum and encourages listeners to focus less on labels and more on what feels authentic to them. The discussion also covers practical dating advice, including the importance of establishing a strong value system as the foundation for setting healthy boundaries.

A significant portion of the episode focuses on self-esteem and its role in successful dating, with Coach Danny defining it as "the voice you hear when the room is silenced" - essentially how you feel about yourself when alone. The conversation addresses when someone coming out of addiction or trauma might be ready to date, emphasizing the need for self-reflection and the ability to be comfortable with one's own company. Key dating advice includes being upfront about important personal information like addiction history or HIV status, recognizing the difference between infatuation and genuine love, and understanding when relationships might be ready for non-monogamy. The episode concludes with information about Coach Danny’s coaching services and his podcast "Deep Penetration," reinforcing the message that dating can be a valuable tool for self-development when approached with the right mindset.

You may contact Coach Danny here:

Instagram: @dannymoralescoaching

TikTok: @coachdannymorales

YouTube: @thecoachdanny

Spotify: The Deep Penetration Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/7fHomTZs91XJIxJg0qijGf?si=jGpyaIn_TO-

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:28 Healing Sexual Shame AfterMeth with Coach Kevin

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplimental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/kevinmartin

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Coach Kevin Martin, a sexual empowerment coach based in Hawaii who specializes in helping gay men overcome sexual shame. Martin shares his personal journey from growing up in rural, conservative Ohio where his early same-sex attractions led to deep internalized shame and self-hatred. He explains how discovering the language to understand shame became liberating, allowing him to begin the healing process through therapy, coaching, and personal growth work that eventually led to his current role helping others with similar struggles.

The conversation provides a comprehensive exploration of sexual shame, distinguishing between shame ("I am bad") and guilt ("I did something bad"), and identifying three layers of sexual shame: identity-based shame about sexual orientation, shame about sexual actions and preferences, and performance/body image shame. Martin emphasizes practical strategies for healing, including identifying inner shame messages, respecting these beliefs while understanding their origins, and gradually replacing them with more helpful perspectives. He stresses the importance of mindful engagement with dating apps, finding supportive communities, and developing a clear sense of personal values as protection against shame-inducing experiences. The episode concludes with information about Martin's upcoming retreats focused on transforming shame into self-love.

Find Coach Kevin Here:

IG: @coachkevmartin

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:27 Chemsex Recovery For Couples with Coach Joey

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/couples

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, host Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Joey Monahan, a certified coach and former meth user, about navigating relationships where one partner uses methamphetamine and the other doesn't. Joey shares his personal journey from first encountering meth in college through a cycle of use every three months, into his marriage with his husband Rolando, who was unaware of Joey's substance use history. The conversation addresses the critical lack of support resources for both users and their non-using partners, with Dr. Bragg noting how many gay men are surprised to discover their partners involved in the "Tina scene" and chemsex culture.

The episode focuses heavily on Joey's experience of relapsing after opening his relationship with Rolando, leading to a pivotal moment when his husband was about to leave. Joey's disclosure of his meth use became the catalyst for implementing what he calls "five commandments" for relationship recovery: closing the relationship immediately, enabling location tracking, removing apps and access to cruising spots, complete honesty, and entering a drug treatment program. Both men emphasize the importance of clear accountability and consequences rather than enabling behavior, while Joey credits Dr. Bragg's coaching program with helping him understand his "user persona" as a protective mechanism rather than something to hate. The conversation concludes with Joey discussing his new coaching venture, Gay Coach Joey, where he helps other gay men navigate shame and life transitions, demonstrating how the recovery process strengthened rather than destroyed his marriage.

Contact Coach Joey:

TT: @gaycoachjoey

IG: @gaycoachjoey

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:26 Loving Yourself AfterMeth with Brian Spitulnik

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplimental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/lovingyourself

Contact Brian here: Instagram: @Spitulnik Tiktok: @Spitulnik

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:25 The Moral Lessons of Chemsex with Maurice

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplimental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/moral

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Maurice Nagington, an academic researcher from the University of Manchester who conducted a longitudinal study following 20 participants over two and a half years for his book "The Moral Lessons of Chemsex: A Critical Approach." Maurice's research takes a non-judgmental approach to understanding chemsex subcultures, focusing on how they develop their own moral frameworks that temporarily dissolve social hierarchies based on class, profession, and appearance. He explores the concept of "linguistic straight jackets" - the restrictive stories we tell ourselves about identity - and how chemsex environments can provide relief from these constraints, while noting regional variations in culture between cities like Manchester and London.

The conversation emphasizes moving beyond purely crisis-focused narratives to understand the full spectrum of chemsex experiences, including both risks and potential for authentic connection. Maurice advocates for better peer support networks and highlights critical gaps in recovery services, particularly around helping people reclaim sexual pleasure and intimacy after addiction. Both hosts stress the therapeutic value of open dialogue about chemsex experiences, with Maurice discussing his future research on artistic representations of chemsex and developing improved support systems for sexual health recovery.

Contact Maurice here: Maurice.Nagington@manchester.ac.uk

Download book for free: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/oa-mono/10.4324/9781003341758/moral-lessons-chemsex-maurice-nagington

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:24 Artificial Intelligence and Chemsex Recovery with Dan

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/chatgpt

In this groundbreaking episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg explores an emerging frontier in addiction recovery: using artificial intelligence as a recovery tool. Guest Dan, a lawyer in recovery who extensively studied AI policy, shares how he transformed ChatGPT into a personalized recovery companion that provides 24/7 support for managing cravings, tracking triggers, and maintaining sobriety from crystal meth.

Breaking Down AI Fears and Privacy Concerns: Dan addresses the elephant in the room—data privacy—with refreshing honesty. While acknowledging we're in the "wild west" of AI regulation, he argues that the recovery benefits often outweigh the risks, especially for those who lack access to traditional treatment options. His approach involves gradually building trust with the AI system rather than "trauma dumping" immediately, and being strategic about what information to share. The discussion dismantles common fears about AI taking over jobs or becoming dystopian, instead framing it as an accessible tool that can democratize recovery support.

Revolutionary Personalization: Creating Your AI Recovery Coach: The episode's most innovative insight involves completely transforming AI's typical sterile voice into a personalized recovery mentor. Dan explains how choosing a role model—whether RuPaul, a respected public figure, or anyone who embodies strength—fundamentally changes the recovery experience. This AI coach can then provide real-time craving management, reframe negative thinking patterns, track behavioral patterns over weeks and months, and offer holistic support that includes practical advice like hydration reminders and scheduling assistance. The AI becomes particularly valuable during vulnerable moments like 2 AM cravings or post-relapse shame spirals when human support might not be immediately available.

Contact Dan here: Instagram or Tiktok: @lawwoodman

Book Dan Recommends: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=blitz+norman+ohler&crid=1W0OX73AMLSVK&sprefix=blitz+norma%2Caps%2C104&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-pd-dpltr-ranker_1_11

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:23 Listener Letters with Bobby

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/listenerletters

In this essential Q&A episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg teams up with his assistant coach Bobby to tackle the most pressing questions from listeners navigating crystal meth recovery. Drawing from real DMs, emails, and Reddit submissions, they address the raw, unfiltered concerns that many are afraid to ask about—from sexual healing to relapse patterns to the stigma that keeps people isolated in their struggle.

Key Insights on Recovery & Transformation: The episode dismantles the myth of willpower, revealing a fundamental truth: early recovery can't rely on self-control alone. Instead of depending on motivation that doesn't exist, Dr. Bragg advocates for environmental design—removing access completely by changing phone numbers, deleting apps, and creating accountability systems. For couples recovering together, the approach requires operating as "one unit," closing relationships temporarily, and treating triggers as shared experiences rather than individual battles.

Revolutionary Perspectives on Sexual Healing: Perhaps most powerfully, the discussion reframes sexual recovery from deficit-based thinking to growth-oriented transformation. Rather than mourning what's "lost," listeners learn to practice mindful masturbation, create new sexual fantasies without substances, and understand that sober sex—while requiring patience and communication—ultimately surpasses anything experienced while using. The hosts emphasize that sexual healing isn't about timeline calculations but about rebuilding trust with your body and developing authentic intimacy.

Breaking Through Stigma & Building Community: The conversation courageously addresses the unique challenges of chemsex within gay male culture, where the very community that should offer support often perpetuates shame and judgment. By encouraging open dialogue, sharing stories, and refusing to hide behind societal expectations of "normal," both hosts model how vulnerability becomes the pathway to genuine connection and healing. Their message is clear: transformation isn't about returning to who you were—it's about becoming who you're meant to be.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:22 Seven Years of Chemsex Recovery: Dallas’s Story

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplementary Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/sevenyears

In this deeply personal episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, host Dr. Dallas Bragg reflects on his seven-year journey of being meth-free, sharing intimate details of his recovery process with unflinching honesty. Recorded in August 2025 to commemorate his seventh anniversary, this episode serves as both a celebration of his progress and a roadmap for men struggling with crystal meth addiction, particularly in the context of chemsex culture. Dr. Bragg chronicles each year of his recovery, from the structured early days under court supervision to building a thriving recovery coaching business and finally confronting the complexities of intimacy and relationships in sobriety.

The episode reveals the evolution of Dr. Bragg's recovery philosophy, which emphasizes that successful recovery is "about perception, not perfection." He candidly discusses the challenges each year brought, from trading one addiction for another (becoming addicted to recovery itself) to confronting deep-seated trauma through spiritual practices and psychedelic experiences. His journey includes profound moments of spiritual awakening, including an experience in the woods where he heard an audible voice saying "we've been waiting for you" after blocking dealers and users from his phone. Through practices like visualization, daily habit formation inspired by "Atomic Habits," and the development of what he calls a "prophetic vision," Dr. Bragg rebuilt his life from homelessness to becoming a successful entrepreneur helping others worldwide.

The podcast concludes with Dr. Bragg's current phase of recovery, where he's exploring intimacy and sexuality after seven years, describing it as "the final frontier." He emphasizes that even after seven years, recovery remains an ongoing process requiring vigilance and support systems, particularly as he recently experienced cravings when moving into his own place for the first time. Throughout the episode, he reinforces the message that recovery is possible for anyone, encouraging listeners to believe "I can do this too" while providing practical tools and honest insights about the realities of long-term recovery from crystal meth addiction.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

Encore Episode: Practicing Loneliness with Dan

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this powerful episode of the Aftermeth Podcast, host Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Dan, a 54-year-old man from New York City who has been sober from crystal meth for over five years. Dan shares his journey from being a high-functioning VP who maintained his career while secretly using meth in workplace bathroom stalls to eventually seeking help through an outpatient program at NYC's LGBT center. Despite appearing successful on paper, Dan describes feeling trapped in a "dark labyrinth," wandering through life while battling internal emptiness and using substances to numb overwhelming emotions he couldn't understand or articulate.

The conversation delves deep into Dan's discovery of why he used drugs—primarily his inability to process emotions and cope with feelings, particularly loneliness. Growing up in rural Ohio in an evangelical Christian household that discouraged emotional expression, Dan never learned healthy coping mechanisms. His addiction served as a way to avoid the terrifying experience of feeling vulnerable emotions. Through therapy and his recovery program, Dan developed emotional vocabulary and learned to observe his thoughts rather than being consumed by them, transforming his relationship with difficult feelings like loneliness from something to escape into something he could sit with and move through.

Dan's story offers hope for others struggling with similar challenges, particularly around rebuilding intimate relationships and sexual experiences in sobriety. After initially fearing he had "broken" himself, Dan successfully navigated sober sex and relationships through open communication and vulnerability with partners. He emphasizes the importance of building sober friendships through programs like Crystal Meth Anonymous, developing spiritual practices focused on present-moment awareness, and reading transformative books like "Man's Search for Meaning" and "The Power of Now." His journey illustrates that recovery is possible even for high-functioning addicts who maintain external success while battling internal darkness.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:21 Multiple Minority Stress with Gustavo

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/minoritystressDr.

Dallas Bragg explores how intersecting marginalized identities affect addiction and recovery with Gustavo, a Venezuelan-American who shares his crystal meth journey. The conversation examines "multiple minority stress" - how being brown, undocumented, neurodivergent, and gay creates compounding psychological pressures.

Guest & Key Concepts
Gustavo immigrated to the US at age three, documenting his recovery story on YouTube with humor and authenticity. Multiple minority stress differs from general stress by originating in prejudice rather than universal challenges. Gustavo's identities don't simply add stress - they interlock, creating unique pressures from childhood bullying to undocumented status blocking normal milestones like driver's licenses and college.

Addiction Path & Trauma
At 22, Gustavo was introduced to meth through a predatory relationship with a 38-year-old man who exploited his isolation and need for connection. Earlier sexual trauma from ages 15-16, when an older boyfriend introduced him to sex work, created lasting associations between intimacy and danger. Crystal meth temporarily numbed these trauma responses, allowing sexual engagement without confronting underlying pain.

Resilience & Recovery
Paradoxically, minority stress experiences equipped Gustavo with survival skills - hypervigilance, emotional intelligence, and self-assessment abilities - that prevented complete addiction devastation. His role as middle child with younger siblings provided additional anchoring. Recovery emphasized feeling the full emotional spectrum rather than numbing difficult experiences, supported by therapy that provided the first safe space to articulate experiences and receive validation.

Community Vision
Frustrated by existing support structures lacking cultural competency, Gustavo envisions harm reduction groups for men in party-and-play culture. His experience with traditional men's groups highlighted their inability to address racial trauma effectively. He successfully hosted a meeting providing authentic emotional intimacy and peer support.

Key Philosophy
Gustavo embraces Dr. Bragg's concept of addiction as potentially transformative, viewing his meth experience as developing skills many never cultivate. This transforms victimhood into empowerment while acknowledging genuine suffering. His YouTube content challenges misconceptions about who uses crystal meth and what recovery looks like across different communities.

Find Gustavo: IG: @ilovegusti

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuUOIVafwnk

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

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Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:20 Mild to Wild with Jordan and Andrew

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/mildtowild

In this provocative and educational episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg explores harm reduction approaches to chemsex and party-and-play (PNP) culture with two Canadian harm reduction specialists. The conversation challenges traditional abstinence-only models and showcases innovative programs supporting men who have sex with men (MSM) in their substance use journeys.

Jordan Bond-Gar - Coordinator of PNP and Chemsex Initiatives at Gay Men's Sexual Health Alliance of Ontario - brings six years of experience developing community-driven harm reduction programs.

E-Mail: mailto:jbondgorr@gmsh.ca

www.gmsh.ca

www.partyandplay.info

Andrew Thomas - Harm Reduction Program Specialist for Nova Scotia Health's Eastern Zone - leads research initiatives and co-founded several innovative harm reduction projects with extensive experience in sexual health and chemsex harm reduction. (The views expressed are not of Nova Scotia Health but Andrews's own as an independent contractor for Community-Based Research Centre as part of PnP Project)

Major Programs Discussed

Mild to Wild Drop-In Sessions represent a groundbreaking peer-led support model - bi-weekly Zoom meetings where men actively engaged in PNP can discuss real-life challenges without judgment. These sessions cover everything from safer slamming techniques and drug interactions to grief processing and police encounters, averaging 10-12 regular participants with specialized workshops drawing larger crowds. The program fills a crucial gap by providing community connection outside party contexts while allowing open discussion of both substance use and sexual practices - something traditional recovery groups often prohibit.

The G-Emergency Response Project addresses the life-threatening risks of GHB use through comprehensive safety education, emphasizing accurate dosing with medical syringes rather than unreliable bottle caps and responding to dangerous market changes where substances like BDO and GBL are being substituted for traditional GHB. Meanwhile, The PNP Field Guide serves as an evidence-based "Bible" for newcomers, written by community members with lived experience in a warm, non-judgmental tone that emphasizes personal agency and self-monitoring. Together, these resources respond to a crisis that has claimed at least seven lives in Toronto alone, providing practical tools for a community often excluded from traditional harm reduction services.

Key Insights and Challenges
The guests reveal that approximately 25% of those who try PNP develop problematic relationships with substances, while highlighting dangerous inconsistencies in drug purity and dosing across regions. They provide practical guidance for supporting individuals experiencing substance-induced psychosis - emphasizing empathy over judgment, environmental modifications, and treating law enforcement as a last resort. Both specialists describe inadequate treatment options even in Canada's progressive healthcare system, where most facilities remain 12-step focused with limited cultural competency, often leaving LGBTQ+ individuals facing homophobia and isolation in traditional rehab settings.

The conversation emphasizes core principles of client expertise, spectrum-based recovery approaches, and community care while advocating for safe supply programs, expanded harm reduction services, and national PNP curriculum for healthcare providers.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:19 Breaking the Silence of Chemsex with Alexander Cheves

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/silence

Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Alexander Cheves about his personal experience with chemsex and the crisis of silence surrounding substance use in the men who have sex with men (MSM) community. Alexander explains that U.S. LGBTQ+ media often avoids covering chemsex due to fears of pathologizing the community, even though gay male communities have documented higher rates of substance abuse. Both compare this silence to the early AIDS crisis, where deaths were kept quiet due to stigma. Alexander shares how he was introduced to chemsex through parties and hookups but managed to maintain boundaries and walk away when needed, attributing this ability simply to "luck" rather than any special quality.

The discussion explores Alexander's background trauma and its connection to substance use. Raised by evangelical Southern Baptist parents who adopted him, he faced significant challenges around his gay identity and lived with anxiety, OCD, and highly structured routines. He found that drugs provided permission to escape rigid self-regulation. Both men share transformative experiences with psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, which helped Alexander develop crucial self-acceptance. He now follows a harm reduction approach, avoiding meth while occasionally using substances he feels help rather than harm him. He emphasizes that learning to appreciate sex without chemical enhancement requires patience and acceptance that some experiences may be disappointing.

Alexander notes significant cultural differences between U.S. and European approaches to substance use, explaining that Berlin's less stigmatized drug culture allows for more practical harm reduction strategies without rigid 12-step programs. Both men emphasize the urgent need for influential community members to break the silence around chemsex, noting that shame-based recovery approaches often drive people away from help. The episode advocates for individualized recovery approaches, harm reduction as a valid alternative to complete sobriety, and creating judgment-free spaces where people can discuss substance use honestly while receiving appropriate support.

Alexander Cheves is an accomplished writer with a decade of experience covering sexuality, masculinity, HIV, and queer identity. His work has appeared in Out Magazine, The Advocate, Vice, and other major publications. He writes the "Last Call" column for Out Magazine and an advice column called "Go Ask Alex." His memoir "My Love is a Beast" won the 2022 Geoff Mains Nonfictino Prize. Originally from the American South, he now lives and works in Berlin.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:18 Turning Pain Into Purpose with Ben Kaye

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/purpose

In this powerful episode, host Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Ben Kaye, a UK-based advocate who's making waves in the fight against chem sex addiction within the men who have sex with men (MSM) community.

Ben's story is one of transformation—from experiencing the isolation and misunderstanding that many face in traditional treatment systems to becoming a passionate voice for change. Having navigated his own recovery journey, Ben recognized critical gaps in knowledge and support around chem sex addiction in the UK healthcare and treatment systems.

Rather than accepting the status quo, Ben channeled his experience into meaningful action, working tirelessly to create awareness and understanding around this often-overlooked epidemic. His work demonstrates how personal recovery can evolve into powerful advocacy that helps entire communities.

Dr. Bragg and Ben explore the unique challenges of chem sex addiction, the lack of specialized understanding in traditional treatment approaches, and how survivors can transform their pain into purpose. This conversation offers hope and inspiration for anyone who has felt misunderstood in their recovery journey and shows how individual action can create ripple effects of positive change.

This episode is essential listening for anyone affected by substance use in the LGBTQ+ community, healthcare providers seeking to better understand chem sex addiction, and anyone looking for inspiration on how to turn their recovery into meaningful advocacy work.

By listening and sharing this episode, you're helping raise awareness about a critical public health issue that affects communities worldwide.

Contact Ben Here:
@benji.kaye@gmail.com and https://www.benkayetherapy.com

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:17: Sexual Reintegration AfterMeth with Mell McCracken

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

https://nomatterwhatrecovery.com/

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/Mell

Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Mell McCracken, a leading specialist in chem sex recovery, for an essential deep-dive into sexual reintegration after methamphetamine addiction. This content-rich episode addresses one of the most common yet rarely discussed challenges in recovery: finding fulfillment and healing in sober sexuality.

Who This Episode Is For: • Anyone abstinent from meth struggling with sexual healing or fulfillment • People enjoying sober sex but seeking deeper intimacy and connection • Those curious about exploring their sexual identity and desires in recovery • Anyone looking to understand the complex relationship between addiction and sexuality

What You'll Learn: • First steps toward sexual reintegration after meth addiction • How chem sex hijacks natural sexual experiences and responses • Practical strategies for rediscovering sexual fulfillment in sobriety • The importance of professional guidance in sexual healing • How to expand intimacy and explore sexual curiosity safely

About the Guest: Mel brings over 10 years of specialized experience working with chem sex recovery on a daily basis. As one of the country's foremost experts in this field, they have helped countless individuals navigate the complex journey of sexual liberation after addiction.

Key Takeaways: • Sexual reintegration is the #1 concern for men in meth recovery • Professional therapeutic support is crucial for comprehensive healing • Recovery isn't just about abstinence—it's about reclaiming all aspects of life • Sexual healing is possible with the right guidance and approach.

Contact Mell here:

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:16: Fck Like a Prn Star AfterMeth with Jayson Parker

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/jayson

X: jaysonparker801
IG: jaysonparker_801

Resources Mentioned:
• Pepper Diet Academy Conference: August 7-10, 2025
◦ Website: pepperdietacademy.org
◦ Focus: Sex, intimacy, and relationships in recovery
◦ Includes workshops, clothing-optional activities, and safe spaces for sexual exploration

Content Warning:
This episode contains frank discussions about sex, drug use, and adult content. Listener discretion is advised.

The AfterMeth:

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Dallas Bragg

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Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:15 Reinventing Yourself AfterMeth with Evan

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplementary Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/reinvention

In this episode of The AfterMeth podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg welcomes Evan Lunt, a chemistry professor and drag queen who completely reinvented his life after methamphetamine addiction. This conversation provides a practical roadmap for anyone looking to reclaim their identity and build a new life in recovery.

What You'll Learn:
The Power of Geographic Change:
• Why Evan chose treatment in a completely new city (Asheville, NC)
• How starting fresh with no connections can accelerate recovery
• The difference between running away from problems vs. strategic relocation
• Why "wherever you go, there you are" doesn't always apply

Building Community Intentionally:
• How meth provided instant community - and why that's a key need to address
• Forcing yourself into uncomfortable social situations (and why it works)
• The importance of "hitting the ground running" with job, friends, and purpose
• Why social interaction is a learned skill that requires practice

Leaning Into Discomfort:
• How discomfort became Evan's compass for growth
• Taking strategic breaks from triggering activities (drag, teaching, dating)
• Why bad sex was exactly what he needed in early recovery
• The importance of building resilience before taking on stress

Professional Recovery:
• Navigating a career in chemistry while recovering from meth addiction
• Taking a "step down" job (hardware store) to rebuild basic life skills
• When and how to return to high-stress professions
• Building responsibility gradually rather than rushing back

Drag Performance in Recovery:
• The reality of drug use in drag culture and nightlife scenes
• Transitioning from "messy queen" to professional performer
• Creating sober drag families and communities
• Finding your niche (brunch vs. nighttime shows)

Sexual Recovery and Relationships:
• Taking 18 months off from sex and dating
• How sex work during addiction complicated sexual identity
• Learning what you actually like vs. what addiction taught you
• The importance of bad sexual experiences in recovery

Connect with Evan:
• Instagram: @theonlysev

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:14 Working With Energy AfterMeth with Craig

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplementary Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/energy

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Craig Brucato, a certified professional life coach and former meth user, to explore what comes after abstinence from meth - and how to get unstuck when recovery feels mundane or directionless.

What You'll Learn:
The "Now What?" Dilemma

Why many people feel stuck after completing traditional recovery programs
How to move from surviving sobriety to thriving in life
The difference between being clean and being truly recovered

The Seven Levels of Energy
Craig introduces the IPEC Energy Leadership framework, explaining how we operate at different energy levels throughout the day - from victim energy (Level 1) to oneness with the universe (Level 7). Learn how to identify which level you're operating from and how to shift upward.
Transforming Your Relationship with Urges

Why the thought "I want to use" is actually valuable information
How to examine thoughts without judgment
Practical questions to ask yourself when cravings hit

Building Natural Life Force Energy
Three key components for raising your energy naturally:

Physical: Exercise and body care
Mental/Spiritual: Meditation and quiet reflection
Community: Connection and service to others

Beyond the Shame
Craig shares his personal journey from teenage meth use through chem sex addiction to becoming a successful life coach, proving that your past can become your purpose.
Key Takeaways:

Recovery isn't just about stopping drug use - it's about creating the life you actually want
You can choose your energy level and emotional response to any situation
The same drive that led to addiction can be channeled into creating an extraordinary life
Your darkest experiences can become your greatest gifts

Perfect for anyone who's gotten clean but still feels something is missing, or those supporting someone in long-term recovery.
Connect with Craig: Find him on Facebook at "The Rising Rainbow" or visit his website for energy coaching services.

Contact Craig here: Therisingrainbowlgbt@gmail.com

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:13 Storytelling in Recovery with Ed

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Find the supplemental study guide for this episode here:
https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/storytelling

In this episode of the AfterMeth Podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg welcomes artist and writer Ed Firth for a rich conversation about the intersection of addiction recovery, creative expression, and queer identity. Known for his graphic novels that candidly explore the chemsex scene among men who have sex with men, Ed shares how storytelling became both a survival strategy and a source of healing.

Together, Dr. Bragg and Ed examine the transformative power of narrative—how art and personal storytelling can help individuals process trauma, reconnect with themselves, and build community. They explore how graphic novels and other creative forms offer a unique way to engage serious topics like addiction, intimacy wounds, and sexual reintegration during recovery.

This episode emphasizes that recovery is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Whether through writing, art, or open conversation, self-expression can be a vital tool for healing. Dr. Bragg and Ed make a compelling case for using creativity not just as a therapeutic outlet, but as a bridge to deeper self-understanding and collective connection.

Ed Firth is an East London artist and writer known for his Pound Shop zine cycle and the acclaimed Horny & High anthology comic series, which explores British chemsex subculture among gay men in 2010s London. His work has gained significant recognition, with Vol 1 shortlisted for the Myriad First Graphic Novel Competition and praised by queer comics legend Ralf König, while Vol 2 earned acclaim from Attitude magazine for its powerful portrayal of addiction and comedown experiences.

Beyond his graphic novels, Firth's autobiographical comic The Lift placed second in the Observer/Faber & Faber Graphic Short Story competition in 2022, and he was named one of Broken Frontier's "Six To Watch" emerging creators in 2023. His Horny & High series is now available internationally through German publisher Salzgeber Buchverlage and US publisher Northwest Press, while he continues working on volume 3 alongside portrait commissions, running East London Life Drawing, and volunteering as a Support Keyworker for Controlling Chemsex.

You can reach / connect with Ed via:
https://typ0.bigcartel.com/contact

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

Ep 2:12 EMDR Therapy AfterMeth with Drake

Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

https://ignitinghope.info

Supplemental study guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/EMDR

In this episode of the AfterMeth Podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg and Drake Schoeppl explore the deep connection between trauma, addiction recovery, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. Drawing from both clinical expertise and lived experience, Drake explains how EMDR can help individuals move beyond abstinence and toward lasting emotional healing.

They unpack how low self-esteem, intimacy wounds, and limiting belief systems often drive patterns of crystal meth use, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Rather than framing addiction as a moral failure, Dr. Bragg highlights how unprocessed trauma and emotional disconnection lie at the heart of substance use. EMDR therapy offers a way to safely reprocess these experiences and begin to rebuild trust in oneself.

The episode also touches on the importance of stabilization and grounding before trauma work begins, the role of curiosity in navigating triggers, and the value of individualized treatment. Dr. Bragg and Drake stress that recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that healing starts with being met where you are, without shame. Whether you're exploring EMDR as a therapy option or seeking a deeper understanding of trauma-informed recovery, this conversation offers both practical guidance and hope for change.

About Drake Schoeppl, LCSW

Drake Schoeppl, LCSW, is a licensed therapist practicing in both Florida and Illinois. He brings years of experience supporting individuals dealing with PTSD, depression, anxiety, complex trauma, addiction, relational issues, and those within the LGBTQ+ community. Drake takes a holistic, trauma-informed approach to therapy and emphasizes the importance of culture in the healing process.

Throughout his career, Drake has served in a variety of roles, including as a crisis therapist responding to 911 mental health calls, a clinician on an inpatient psychiatric unit, a therapist in a substance use rehabilitation center, and in supportive work with LGBTQ+ youth, young adults, and their families. His diverse background informs a compassionate, culturally responsive, and client-centered practice.

You can access Drake Schoeppl’s website with resources and connect with Drake using the following links:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/drake-schoeppl-chicago-il/818141

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:11: ADHD and Chemsex Addiction with Daniel

Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Find the supplemental study guide here: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/adhd

In this episode of the AfterMeth Podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg and Daniel Gilsenan unpack the complicated intersection of ADHD and chemsex addiction. They explore how impulsivity, emotional regulation, and identity all play into the recovery process—and why empathy, not judgment, is key.

From the risks of self-diagnosis to the role of psychotherapy and medication in healing, this conversation challenges the labels we cling to and invites a more nuanced understanding of both ADHD and addiction. For anyone navigating recovery while questioning their mental health, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a reminder: you’re not broken—you’re becoming.

Guest Bio
Daniel Gilsenan is Head of Clinical Supervision at Controlling Chemsex, the UK’s most active chemsex support charity. He has extensive experience supporting people engaged in chemsex, substance use, and recovery. He is a highly trained executive coach, psychodynamic psychotherapist, and recovery specialist with a background spanning both corporate and clinical settings.

His approach integrates these two worlds – the commercial and the therapeutic – enabling him to support clients navigating the intense pressures of high-performance environments.

Daniel's rigorous training and in-depth personal therapy help him work at the intersection of inner experience and external context, offering insight into how personal patterns shape professional and relational dynamics.

He is a full member of the British Psychoanalytic Council and an accredited Executive Coach with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council.

You can reach Daniel and recovery help:
enquiries@gilsenan.com
+44 7352 347 588
https://www.danielgilsenan.com/psychotherapy

https://www.danielgilsenan.com/recovery

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:10 Teacher to Tweaker: Bobby’s Story

Thu, 15 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Find the supplemental study guide here:
https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/teacher

In this powerful episode of the AfterMeth Podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Bobby—a former educator turned recovery coach—to unpack the complex realities of chemsex addiction, particularly involving crystal meth and GHB.

Bobby shares how a single arrest became a turning point, leading him from a life of isolation and substance use into one of purpose, healing, and service. Together, he and Dr. Bragg explore the emotional weight of relapse, the role of treatment courts, and how ADHD, productivity pressures, and disconnection can fuel addiction.

You can find Bobby via email: Bob19146@icloud.com
Facebook / Insta: Bob19146

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:9 Sexual Healing Through Dance with Gary

Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplementary Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/dance

What if healing from addiction didn’t start with shame—but with movement, pleasure, and connection?

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with his guest, Gary—a therapist, conscious DJ, somatic sexologist in training, and creator of sensuality workshop and ecstatic dance for GBTQ men ‘Pleasure Medicine’—to explore the impact of chemsex in the LGBTQ community and how practices like conscious dance and embodiment can help men reconnect with their bodies, desire, and sense of self.

Together, they unpack the emotional and physical aftermath of meth use, the role of vulnerability in redefining masculinity, and how true recovery begins after quitting. From kink to creativity, this conversation offers a compassionate look at healing through joy, softness, and authentic connection.

Find Gary here:
IG @_garyalbert_
IG @pleasuremedicinedance

Website: www.pleasuremedicine.co.uk

Gary is a therapist, embodiment facilitator, Somatic Sexologist in training, award-winning music maker, conscious DJ, and writer.

He’s the creator of Pleasure Medicine—a bi-weekly sensuality workshop and ecstatic dance for gay men in East London that blends conscious movement with intimate, embodied connection.

With over a decade of experience as a therapist, Gary is devoted to helping gay men unlock their pleasure centres, soften shame, and rediscover joy, intimacy, and sensuality through dance, touch, and celebratory sexuality.

He is a columnist for queer culture magazine QX and writes personal essays, opinion pieces, and cultural reflections—always from the perspective of being in the waters with the reader, trying to work it all out together.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:8 Contingency Management with Tyrone

Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/contingency

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg and Tyrone Clifford share insights from the Stonewall Project's contingency management program for men navigating chemsex and crystal meth recovery.

Key points:

Personalized recovery paths beyond traditional abstinence models
Effective strategies for managing triggers in real-world situations
The healing power of shame-free peer support communities
Client empowerment as the foundation for sustainable recovery
How positive reinforcement creates lasting behavioral change
Inclusive approaches for diverse populations and experiences
The importance of finding the right counselor for your journey
Ongoing support through alumni programs and community connection

Tyrone is the Manager|Contingency Management|Stonewall, PROP “Positive Reinforcement Opportunities Project” part of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation

He is a former Meth user of about 20 years. He's been engaged in CM for 13 years this coming February in many forms. He started off as a participant in PROP, Volunteer, Health Educator, Program Coordinator and currently the Program Manager of PROP Classic. PROP is our Contingency Management program, supporting MSM, Trans and Gender Nonconforming individuals seeking support as they explore making changes around stimulant use.

San Francisco AIDS Foundation: https://www.SFAF.org

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:7: Attachment Styles and Chemsex Addiction with Mauricio

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Blog: https://www.drmaualvarez.com/reflections/wired-for-connection

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/attachment

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg and clinical psychologist Mauricio Alvarez explore the intersection of chemsex, addiction, and mental health, particularly among men who have sex with men.

The conversation covers:

• Mauricio's background in neuroscience and clinical psychology

• The neurobiological and psychodynamic aspects of addiction

• How different attachment styles (anxious, avoidant, and disorganized) manifest in relationships and influence recovery

• The impact of trauma on attachment and behavior, especially within the LGBTQ+ community

• Therapeutic approaches to understanding triggers and healing relationships

• The challenges of rebuilding trust and connection after addiction

• The dynamics of caretaking behaviors and avoidance mechanisms

• Unique considerations for individuals in sex work

• The importance of emotional regulation, self-compassion, and mentalizing in recovery

Throughout the discussion, the hosts emphasize an integrated approach to support services and provide insights on fostering healthier relationships during the recovery journey.

Find Dr. Mauricio Alvarez here:

Instagram @drmaualvarez

Website: https://www.drmaualvarez.com

Tina Archetypes posts:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DE3UiKAs_oQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/DE0rk4Qs7bm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:6 Love AfterMeth with Sober Dave

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/corrected-links-do-you-believe-in-love-after-meth

This is such a powerful and heartfelt episode! Dr. Dallas sits down with Dave Becker, better known as Sober Dave, to talk about love, sex, and sobriety after meth.

They dive into the realities of rebuilding trust, navigating intimacy, and reclaiming joy in queer relationships after addiction. Sober Dave shares his journey of recovery with so much honesty and hope, shedding light on the unique challenges LGBTQIA+ folks face on the path to healing.

They discuss dating apps, setting boundaries, and finding community – all while exploring how authenticity, self-love, and patience can help you rediscover connection without shame. Whether you're in recovery, love someone who is, or just want to better understand the queer recovery experience, this episode is full of compassion, real talk, and gentle reminders that healing is possible and you’re never alone.

Find Dave here: IG: @soberdave85

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:5 Weekend Warriors with Joe and Dr. C

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/weekendwarriors

This is such a fun and important episode, y’all! I sit down with Joe Kulman and Dr. Neva "Dr. C" Chauppette from Party Wise to explore the slippery slope of "weekend warriors" in the MSM (men who have sex with men) community.

We talk about the gradual progression from recreational meth use to full-blown addiction. The experts unpack how seemingly controlled weekend partying can subtly take over your life – starting with Monday recovery days, Thursday anticipation, and eventually bleeding into your entire existence.

Dr. C brings her 30+ years of psychological expertise working with addiction, mental health, and HIV patients, offering compassionate insights on the connection between internalized shame, trauma, and substance use in the LGBTQ+ community. Joe shares his valuable perspective from managing substance use programs at APLA Health in Los Angeles.

The episode provides essential information on:
• Recognizing when recreational use becomes problematic
• Understanding the cycle of anticipation, use, and shame
• Practical harm reduction strategies for those not ready for abstinence
• The impact of societal shame and trauma on substance use patterns
• Resources for support no matter where you are in your journey

Whether you identify as a weekend warrior yourself or know someone who might be slipping deeper into chemsex patterns, this episode offers judgment-free guidance and a powerful reminder: there are people who understand and will meet you exactly where you are with respect and dignity.

Find out what Joe and Dr. C are doing over at PartyWise:
Website: https://aplahealth.org/services/party-wise/
IG: @partywise.outhere
Phone: 213-201-5000

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

Ep 2:4 Chemsex Cravings Management with Andrew

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/cravings

In this episode of Aftermeth, Dr. Dallas Bragg and Andrew Moses, founder of Queer Recovery Coaching, get real about managing cravings in chemsex recovery. They flip the script on cravings, seeing them not as enemies but as messengers pointing to deeper needs. Through personal stories and expert insights, they explore how understanding what triggers us can actually transform our recovery journey.

They dive deep into the emotional hunger driving addiction, breaking down why we crave validation and connection so intensely. The guys chat about creating structure that actually works, leading yourself through tough moments, and navigating relationships while healing. It's an honest look at the messy, beautiful path of self-discovery that happens after addiction.

Find Andrew here: https://recovery.andrewmosescoaching.com/process

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:3 Ketamine Treatment AfterMeth with Bodhi

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/ketamine

In this conversation, Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Trauma Therapist Bodhi Deva Ma to discuss the therapeutic potential of ketamine treatment, particularly in the context of addiction recovery and trauma therapy. They discuss their personal journeys with psychedelics, and Dallas shares how they have influenced his recovery from crystal meth addiction. The discussion delves into the science behind ketamine, its effects on the brain, and the importance of using it in a therapeutic setting rather than recreationally. The conversation emphasizes the role of beliefs and trauma in shaping one's reality and how ketamine can help individuals access deeper parts of their subconscious for healing. Integration of experiences and insights gained during therapy is highlighted as crucial for lasting change.

Bodhi Deva Ma is a spiritual guide and highly trained counselor specializing in trauma recovery, psychedelic integration, and holistic healing.
With a background in philosophy, religious studies, and energy psychology, Bodhi bridges science and spirituality, creating safe spaces for self-discovery and healing. She is deeply committed to helping individuals process trauma, integrate plant medicine experiences, and reconnect to Self in mind, body, and spirit.
Beyond her private practice, Bodhi leads community support groups, fostering collective healing and personal empowerment. Her work reflects a lifetime of spiritual growth, making her a compassionate guide for those on the path of self-discovery.

Connect with Bodhi: Fb: @sacredrootscommunity IG: @sacredrootsnc

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:2 : Chemsex Harm Reduction with Dr. David Fawcett

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/harmreduction

In this conversation, Dr. Dallas Bragg and Dr. David Fawcett explore various aspects of chemsex harm reduction strategies, the importance of social connections, and the role of mental health. They discuss alternative methods for managing cravings, the impact of shame and stigma, and the significance of peer support in recovery. The conversation also touches on the complexities of consent in chem sex, the dangers of super meth, and the need for a nuanced understanding of addiction and recovery processes.

David Fawcett PhD, LCSW is a psychotherapist and sex therapist who specializes in the sexualized drug use, LGBTQ issues, trauma and mental health concerns related to physical illness, especially HIV/AIDS. He is the author of “Lust, Men and Meth: A Gay Man’s Guide to Sex and Recovery” which explores the intersection of gay men, drug use, and high-risk sex and is also the author of Sex Under the Influence: Understanding and Healing from Sexualized Drug Use. He co-created the residential treatment program for compulsive sex, porn and chemsex behavior at Seeking Integrity in Los Angeles and is the Executive Producer of two documentaries about sexualized drug use. David frequently presents workshops around the world on topics concerning addiction and co-occurring mental health issues, particularly those related to long-term survivors of HIV. His blogs, webinars, and podcasts can be found at www.sexandrelationshiphealing.com

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 2:1 My Methfree Blueprint: 7 Key Practices for the First 90 Days

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/methfree

Welcome to Season 2 y’all! I’m asked so often from you guys how I broke free from the grips of crystal methamphetamine (Tina). And, well, it was a clunky process that I had to shape on my own. This is precisely why I am providing Recovery Coaching for men who have sex with men and want to break free from the addictive patterns of chemsex. So, in this episode, I present to you how I would do it ALL over again knowing what I know now almost seven years later.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

Season 1 Finale: 7 Insights for Chemsex (Tina) Recovery

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/insights

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg presents a solo talk as the finale for Season 1. Dallas lists the 7 insights for effective chemsex (Tina) recovery that he's picked up from personal and professional experience.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

Bonus Episode: Alex's Story

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this bonus episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas interviews a success graduate from his coaching program called Recovery Alchemy. Alex, from Birmingham, England, shares his journey from addiction to recovery. Growing up in a strict, religious household with an authoritative father, Alex struggled with his gay identity from an early age, experiencing deep shame and feelings of inadequacy.

Alex's drug use began in his mid-twenties with methedrone (a drug popular in the UK that's similar to but less potent than crystal meth). He was introduced to it at a party through Grindr. Eventually, he and his then-partner progressed to crystal meth, which quickly escalated from weekend use to daily consumption. While his partner maintained controlled use, Alex's addiction spiraled, especially after their relationship ended.

The turning point came after several dangerous situations, including hospitalizations and near-death experiences. Alex recognized that if he didn't stop, he would either end up dead or in serious trouble with law enforcement. A six-week family trip to Australia provided an opportunity for initial sobriety, though he relapsed briefly upon return. However, this didn't discourage him - instead, he approached his recovery with self-compassion and realism.

Alex found Dallas through TikTok when struggling with post-acute withdrawal, feeling emotionally dull and finding life laborious. Through their work together, Alex learned to question everything, develop boundaries, and find his voice. He worked through patterns of controlling relationships and focused on self-discovery before rushing into dating. A key part of his recovery included developing a meditation practice, which now helps him manage anxiety and sleep better.

The interview highlights how addiction often stems from underlying trauma and self-acceptance issues, particularly in the LGBTQ+ community. Alex's success story demonstrates that recovery is possible with the right support and willingness to do the inner work. The episode concludes with information about Dallas's coaching program, which includes weekly one-on-one sessions over six months and group calls with other men in recovery.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP1: 48: The Effect of Internalized Homophobia on Chemsex with Paulo

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/homophobia

In this episode of the AfterMeth podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Paulo Arranaga-Grayson to dive into the complex topic of internalized homophobia and how that contributes to Chemsex use among gay men. In addition, they discuss the importance of affirming care in recovery programs, share personal stories of struggle and resilience, and emphasize the need for self-awareness and vulnerability in navigating relationships. The conversation highlights the societal narratives that contribute to internalized homophobia (negativity) and the journey towards finding purpose and passion in recovery.

Find Paulo here:
Fb: Paulo Anthony Arranaga-Grayson
No Matter What Recovery

Ig: @paulwithanohh
@nomatterwhatrecoveryla

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:47: Healing Religious Shame After Meth with Eric

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Supplemental Study Guide:
https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/religioustrauma

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg welcomes life coach Eric Feltes for an intimate conversation about the impact of religious trauma on addiction. From growing up in strict religious environments to finding authentic self-acceptance, they explore how church shame drives many in the LGBTQ+ community toward crystal meth use. Feltes shares insights on moving beyond religious trauma, building genuine connections, and finding spirituality on your own terms. This episode offers hope and practical guidance for those struggling with shame, addiction, and the search for belonging. Content warning: This episode contains discussions of drug use, religious trauma, and sexuality. The conversation dives deep into practical strategies for healing sexual shame, understanding sexual integrity, and rediscovering intimate connections in sobriety. From mindful exploration of erotic preferences to building genuine vulnerability, this episode offers hope and practical guidance for those in recovery seeking to rebuild their relationship with sex and intimacy.

Eric Feltes is a Life Coach, actor, speaker, and writer. He and his team have helped hundreds of GBT+ men build community, become free of shame, find love, build businesses, and, at the end of the day, live their best shame-free gay lives. He has been seen in shows on Showtime, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, and he has spoken in churches across the country. Eric lives in Atlanta, GA with his dog Cadence and his 29 house plants.

Find Eric here:
Instagram: @ericfeltes
TikTok: @eric.feltes
Email: eric@lifecoachingbyfeltes.com
Website: https://www.lifecoachingbyfeltes.com/
Talent Inquiry: monroetalentmgmt@gmail.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4L2hvSmntTf9IfF8ufAnm6?si=73e7879a2b2d43cc&nd=1&dlsi=8f2879ad894d4daa

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:46: Healing Sexual Shame After Meth with Steven

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Supplemental Study Guide:
https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/sexualshame

In this episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, host Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Dr. Steven Davidson, a clinical sexologist and sexual integrity coach, to explore the complex relationship between shame, sexuality, and crystal meth addiction in the gay community. Dr. Davidson shares invaluable insights on rebuilding sexual identity after addiction, discussing how early experiences of shame can impact sexual expression and why many turn to substances to feel sexually authentic.

The conversation dives deep into practical strategies for healing sexual shame, understanding sexual integrity, and rediscovering intimate connections in sobriety. From mindful exploration of erotic preferences to building genuine vulnerability, this episode offers hope and practical guidance for those in recovery seeking to rebuild their relationship with sex and intimacy.

Whether you're in recovery, supporting a loved one, or seeking to understand the intersection of addiction and sexuality, this episode provides essential insights for navigating the journey toward sexual authenticity and healing.

Find Dr. Davidson here:

Web: https://sexualintegritycoach.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.davidson.sexintegrity

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SexTherapistTN

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sexualintegritycoach/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sexualintegritycoach

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:45: Drug Treatment: Queer-Affirming vs. Gay-Friendly with Rainbow Hill Recovery

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Do you know the difference between “Gay-Friendly” and “Queer Affirming” when it comes to treatment and sober living? In this conversation, Dr. Dallas Bragg and his guests Joey Bachrach and Steven Buffin-Stewart from Rainbow Hill Recovery delve into the complexities of drug treatment, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. They discuss the importance of queer sober living environments, the necessity of reentry services, and the role of emotional sobriety in recovery. The conversation highlights the significance of creating a sense of belonging and family within treatment centers, as well as the need for affirming spaces that cater to the specific needs of queer individuals.

Find Rainbow Hill Recovery:

https://rainbowhillrecovery.com/

Joey Bachrach is the Co-Founder and CEO of Rainbow Hill Recovery and Rainbow Hill Sober Living, as well as the Founder of Big Little Bows.

Passionate about supporting the LGBTQ community, Joey has dedicated his career to creating affirming spaces for individuals on their journey to sobriety and mental wellness.

With firsthand experience in recovery, Joey, alongside his husband Andrew Fox, opened Rainbow Hill Sober Living in 2021, driven by a deep commitment to helping others find light in their darkest moments.

Under Joey's leadership, Rainbow Hill Recovery has earned recognition for its client-centered and inclusive approach, receiving the 2024 LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Award from CCAPP.

Through Big Little Bows, Joey extends his support to LGBTQ youth, ensuring they feel seen, valued, and empowered

Steven Buffin-Stewart is Program Coordinator and the OG Sober Living House Manager.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:44: Sober Fetish and Kink: Healing the Sexual Template with Ralf

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 07:00:00 -0500

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/leather-rubber-skin-head-what-s-your-flavor

In this episode of the Aftermeth Podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg engages in a candid conversation with Ralf, a recovering chemsex addict, podcast host, and sober HERO, about the intersection of sobriety, kink, and mental health. They explore the challenges of enjoying sex and kink in recovery, the importance of community, and the therapeutic aspects of reclaiming power through kink. The discussion also touches on navigating triggers, the role of creativity in recovery, and the significance of boundaries in kink dynamics.

Find Ralf here:

X (Twitter): RealClearFetish

Instagram: @realclearfetish

Bluesky: @realclearfetish.bsky.social

Email: Realclearfetish@gmail.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@realclearfetish

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0t1b6ylbLxThpAQmXgEffH?si=trxdBJwwSkGnaUvjYQUwzQ

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/realclearfetish-talks-realclearplay/id1608329714

Takeaways

You can enjoy sex even more after recovery.
The sober fetish scene offers connection and acceptance.
Empowerment comes from rewriting the rules of recovery.
Kink can be a path to healing and self-discovery.
Navigating triggers is a crucial part of recovery.
Creativity plays a vital role in the recovery journey.
Community support is essential for healing.
Exploring fetishes can be a trial and error process.
Reclaiming power through kink can be therapeutic.
Consent and boundaries are fundamental in kink. Consent is crucial in kink dynamics, even in non-consent scenes.
Sober sex can be rewarding but may feel awkward initially.
Intimacy in kink involves trust and vulnerability.
Establishing boundaries is essential for safe play.
Mindful exploration of kinks can enhance self-awareness.
Communication is key to navigating recovery and kink.
Finding trustworthy partners is vital for a positive experience.
Kink can provide a sense of community and connection.
It's important to allow oneself to be awkward in new experiences.
Sex should be fun and playful, not serious or anxiety-inducing.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:43: Straight Girls Like Meth Too with Nicole

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 07:00:00 -0500

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/she-almost-lost-her-son-to-meth-addiction

In this episode, Dallas sits down with his close friend, colleague and straight cis woman Nicole! Nicole shares her personal journey through addiction, pregnancy, and the fight for her family, emphasizing the importance of commitment, support, and the role of medication-assisted treatment (MAT). They explore the complexities of recovery, advocating for a more inclusive understanding that recognizes diverse paths to sobriety. The conversation highlights the significance of community and resilience in overcoming addiction, ultimately inspiring hope for those struggling with similar issues.

Find Nicole here:

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@discovering_nicole1?si=wIiTQbsGAXFhw1l2

Tiktok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@discoveringnicole7754?_t=8rdksVvv8VW&_r=1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discovering_nicole77?igsh=dWludDRqeGV2M2Ft

Threads:

https://www.threads.net/@discovering_nicole77

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/discoveringnicole.bsky.social

Recovery Delivered For MAT: https://www.recoverydelivered.com/nicole

Lemon8: https://v.lemon8-app.com/al/OgTcwfUp

Chapters
00:00Introduction and Trigger Warnings
02:52The Journey of Addiction: Early Influences
05:48The Role of Body Image and Mental Health
09:09Transitioning to Meth: The First Encounter
11:59The Escalation of Use: From Smoking to Injecting
15:07The Impact of Relationships on Addiction
17:54Consequences of Addiction: Legal Troubles and Recovery Attempts
21:00Finding Love in Addiction: Meeting Neil
24:06The Complexity of Recovery and Support
26:56Reflections on Addiction and Community
34:40The Chaotic Journey of Addiction
36:09The Turning Point: Pregnancy and Sobriety
45:05Fighting for Family: The Commitment to Recovery
48:51The Power of Love and Support in Recovery
52:37Redefining Recovery: A Personal Journey
01:01:46Creating a Community for Recovery Support

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:42 Tantra Over Tina: Sexual Healing AfterMeth with Daddy Guru

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0500

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/tantra-over-tina-rediscovering-sex-and-intimacy

In this conversation, Dr. Dallas Bragg and John Pisano-Thomsen (Daddy Guru) dive deep into the intricate relationship between trauma healing, sexual energy, and the inner child. They explore how unresolved trauma can manifest in various aspects of life, particularly in sexual energy and relationships. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding and nurturing the inner child, as well as the foundational principles of tantra that promote personal empowerment and healing. Daddy Guru shares insights on vulnerability, pain's temporary nature, and direct experience's transformative power. He also highlights the significance of retreats and personal growth opportunities in facilitating healing and self-discovery.

Find Daddy Guru:
IG: @thedaddyguru
Website: https://www.thedaddyguru.com
Casa Kama Spiritual Retreat: https://www.casakama.life

About Daddy Guru:
John Pisano-Thomsen (also known as DaddyGuru in spiritual circles) is spiritual teacher and kundalini lightworker specializing in tantra, intimacy healing, and vibration augmentation practices. Out of the closet since 1984, he has witnessed (over the last 40 years) the societal impacts of homophobia, HIV and AIDS, religious and work discrimination, marriage equality and addiction trends in the gay community. He is also a survivor of child abuse and abandonment and is a recovering codependent.

John is an award-winning screenwriter and was a senior project manager in the media spanning 3 decades. He currently lives in Quepos, Costa Rica with his partner, Robert, where they co-own and operate Casa Kama: a spiritual center, healing sanctuary and eco-farm holding space and tantra programs for queer men.

Chapters

00:00
Untangling Meth from Sex
02:50
The Role of Tantra in Healing
05:45
Understanding Tantra and Its Principles
09:06
The Chakra System and Addiction
11:53
Authenticity and the Ego
15:10
Kundalini Energy Explained
18:00
Practical Steps to Reconnect
20:51
Manifestation and Energy
23:57
The Essence of Kundalini
32:00
Exploring Kundalini Energy and Connection
36:47
Trauma Healing and Inner Child Work
42:53
Understanding Intimacy and Vulnerability
48:08
Foundations of Tantra and Personal Empowerment
54:45
Practical Techniques for Healing and Growth

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:41 From Dark Portals to Divine Purpose: A Filmmaker's Recovery Journey

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Supplementary Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/creative-expression-in-recovery

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg and Filmmaker Cory Bortnicker discuss the journey of recovery from crystal meth addiction, emphasizing the importance of creativity in the healing process. Cory shares his experiences and creative projects that stem from his own recovery journey. He discusses how he uses storytelling to convey modern queer narratives, emphasizing compassion, creativity, and the importance of spiritual exploration in the healing process.

Find Cory’s short film “My Name is Jonas” here: https://www.mynameisjonasfilm.com/
Password: jonas2024
(Trigger warning: Film contains scenes depicting drug use)
Cory’s Email Address: corybortnicker@gmail.com

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Recovery and Potential

02:57
The Role of Creativity in Recovery

05:51
Corey's Journey and Creative Projects

08:58
The Power of Storytelling in Recovery

11:48
Honoring the Experience of Addiction

15:06
Manifestation and Vision in Recovery

18:01
Art and Music Therapy in Healing

20:49
Transforming Pain into Purpose

24:00
The Story Behind 'My Name is Jonas'

34:57
The Story of Jonah: A Modern Parable

36:51
Personal Reflections: Addiction and Calling

39:10
Reconnecting with Faith and Creativity

42:33
Compassion and Understanding in Recovery

46:08
The Journey of Filmmaking and Storytelling

49:51
Advice for Aspiring Creatives

55:36
Exploring Spirituality and Creativity in Addiction

01:00:18
The Intersection of Prophecy and Psychosis

01:06:18
Connecting and Collaborating in the Creative Community

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:40: Freak Between the Sheets: Sexual Health & Harm Reduction

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/be-a-freak-between-the-sheets-safely

Join Dr. Dallas Bragg and Christopher Hetzer, MSN, RN, ACRN, as they unpack the complexities of HIV stigma, addiction recovery, and sexual health in the modern era.

From navigating healthcare as both provider and patient to exploring groundbreaking preventative treatments like DoxyPEP, this candid conversation breaks down barriers and misconceptions. The episode delves into essential topics, including:

The evolution of HIV treatment and prevention across generations

Practical harm reduction strategies for active users

How stigma impacts healthcare access and recovery

Setting healthy boundaries during recovery

The role of hypermasculinity in sexual health perceptions

Modern preventative options beyond traditional methods

Breaking down myths about HIV transmission

The intersection of nursing and addiction recovery

Using social media to combat health stigmas

Trigger Warning: Contains discussions of drug use and addiction.

Whether you're a healthcare provider, someone in recovery, or looking to better understand these issues, this episode offers valuable insights into creating a more informed and compassionate approach to HIV and addiction care.

Chapters
00:00
Introduction to the Aftermath Podcast
03:12
Understanding the Meth Epidemic
06:03
Personal Journeys: Overcoming Addiction and HIV
12:01
Support for Loved Ones of Addicts
17:50
Boundaries and Accountability in Recovery
23:54
The Stigma of Recovery and Addiction
29:45
Navigating Healthcare as a Recovering Addict
39:12
Myths and Truths About HIV Transmission
42:18
Confronting Stigma: The Deadly Impact of HIV Misconceptions
45:04
Generational Perspectives on HIV and Sexual Health
48:19
Breaking Down Barriers: The Role of Education in Sexual Health
51:14
Hypermasculinity and Its Effects on Sexual Health Stigmas
54:16
Understanding Bottom Shaming and Its Consequences
57:00
Harm Reduction Strategies for Substance Users
01:05:20
Innovations in Preventative Care: DoxyPEP and Beyond
01:10:07
Using Social Media for Education and Stigma Reduction
01:15:19
Understanding HIV: Types, Strains, and Treatment Options

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:39: From Padded Room to Recovery Professional: Russell's Story

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/no-experience-is-a-bad-experience

In this episode of the AfterMeth Podcast, I sit down with Russell, a gay former crystal meth user who is now a Certified Peer Specialist. He went from a padded room to a Recovery Professional! Russell shares his personal journey of creating his own recovery route, emphasizing the need for harm reduction strategies in the face of a dangerous drug supply, particularly with the rise of fentanyl. Russell's insights highlight the importance of understanding addiction's nuances and the need for community support in recovery.

Contact Russell:

Email: russelldcampillo@gmail.com

Phone: 8165085550

LinkedIn: Russell D Campillo

Facebook: Russell D. Campillo

Instagram: @russellcampillo

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:38: Walking the Narrow Gate: A Gay Christian's Recovery Story

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0500

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/jesus/

In this episode of the Aftermeth Podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Tim, a gay former crystal meth addict who credits his recovery to his relationship with Jesus Christ. Tim discusses the complexities of addiction, recovery, and faith, particularly within the LGBTQ community. Tim shares his personal journey with meth addiction, the chaos it brought into his life, and the struggles of relapse. They explore the role of faith in recovery, the challenges of navigating relationships, and the importance of journaling as a tool for self-reflection. The conversation also addresses the intersection of sexuality and spirituality, confronting religious trauma, and finding supportive communities.

Chapters

00:00Introduction to the Aftermath Podcast

02:50Tim's Journey with Meth Addiction

06:03The Chaos of Addiction

08:58Relapse Patterns and Struggles

11:49Finding Faith in Recovery

14:59Navigating Early Recovery

17:46Faith and Sexuality in Recovery

21:10Building Relationships in Sobriety

24:09The Role of Journaling in Recovery

26:59Challenges of Sober Sex

29:51Finding a Supportive Community

33:00Confronting Religious Trauma

36:00The Importance of Acceptance

38:48Final Thoughts and Reflections

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:37 Sober Clubbin': Beyond Traditional Recovery with Coach Mick

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/who-defines-sobriety

In this week’s episode of The AfterMeth, Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with the Anti – AA Queer Recovery Coach Mick Resendez to discuss addiction recovery in the LGBTQ+ community. They explore the role of alcohol as a trigger for crystal meth use and the need for alternative recovery options outside of traditional 12-step programs. Mick shares his personal journey of stumbling into sobriety and creating his own recovery program.

Mick Resendez, also known as the "Anti-AA Gay," is the founder of QueerRecovery and a dedicated sobriety coach for the LGBTQIA+ community. Known for his fresh, step-free approach to sobriety, Mick advocates for empowering individuals to lead fulfilling, sober lives free from the rigid structures and shame often associated with traditional recovery programs. He's passionate about helping others find community and connection in sobriety through relatable, affirming spaces that celebrate individuality. Mick's next big venture, Sober Connections, is an upcoming community online event designed to bring sober folks together, fostering a supportive, vibrant network where everyone can thrive authentically.

Find Mick here:

Instagram and Threads: @QueerRecovery

Email: thesobermfr@gmail.com

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Overview

01:24The Connection Between Alcohol and Crystal Meth Use

04:45Exploring Alternative Recovery Options

08:06Addressing Unresolved Grief

11:25Supporting Loved Ones with Addiction

19:03Building a Supportive Community

32:50Approaching Addiction Recovery with Communication and Boundaries

43:29Navigating Social Situations in Sobriety

48:42Redefining Relapse: Embracing Growth and Learning

55:13Creating a Supportive Community for Queer Individuals in Recovery

58:38Empowering Individuals to Find Their Own Path to Recovery

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:36 Healing the Heartbreak of Chemsex Addiction with Mell

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0400

323-797-5464 (admissions) 213-845-7410 (cell)
mell@nomatterwhatrecovery.com
http://nomatterwhatrecovery.com

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/is-your-heart-broken

In this moving episode of The AfterMeth, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Melissa McCracken, Executive Director at a Los Angeles recovery center specializing in sexualized drug use and chem sex addiction treatment. Together, we explore the profound concept of emotional "heartbreak" as a root cause of addiction, particularly in the LGBTQ+ community.

This was my favorite one yet, guys!

We explore the concept of emotional "heartbreak" as a root cause of addiction, particularly in the LGBTQ+ community. McCracken shares their vast experience working with trauma and addiction, offering deep insights into why people relapse, the importance of finding authentic identity in recovery, and how early childhood experiences shape our adult behaviors and relationships.

The conversation goes into powerful metaphors about recovery - from mud on windshields to allegories of caves - while discussing how trauma manifests in people-pleasing behaviors and the challenges of maintaining healthy relationships in sobriety.

Mell McCracken is the Executive Director of No Matter What Recovery in Los Angeles CA, serving as the administrative leader of the clinical treatment program and overseeing programming for our sexualized drug use track.

Mell is nationally and internationally recognized as an LGBT+ educator, co-author, and treatment provider. They also serve as faculty member at the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Specialists. They are committed to uplifting voices and breaking stigmas, one conversation at a time, and have spent their career fighting for inclusivity and empowerment through chemsex education and LGBT+ activism.

Mell McCracken (they/them)

Executive Director, No Matter What Recovery

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:35: Breaking the Chemsex Cycle with Daniel

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0400

https://controllingchemsex.com/

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/are-you-ready-to-break-free-from-chemsex

In this episode of the Aftermeth Podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Daniel Gilsenan, Head of Supervision at Controlling Chemsex, the UK’s most active chemsex support charity, to discuss the complexities of addiction recovery, particularly in the context of chemsex. They explore the importance of community support, the differences between coaching and psychotherapy, and the steps involved in the recovery process. Daniel shares his personal journey and professional insights, emphasizing the need for patience, self-compassion, and reframing relapse as a part of the recovery journey. The conversation also touches on the impact of social media on self-perception and the challenges of navigating sober sex.

If you are interested in seeking FREE Chemsex help, reach out to Controlling Chemsex:

Find Daniel here:

Website: www.danielgilsenan.com

Email: enquiries@gilsenan.com

Instagram: @daniel.gilsenan

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:34 The Art and Science of Bottoming with Tom

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/all-the-butt-stuff

Let's talk about butt stuff! In this episode of The AfterMeth, host Dr. Dallas Bragg welcomes urologist Dr. Tom Gaither for a raw and honest conversation about crystal meth and its impact on sexual health. First up is a topic near and dear to any recovering meth addict: Erectile Dysfunction (ED). They break down the physical and mental factors at play, shedding light on why getting and staying hard isn't always as simple as it seems.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Dr. Bragg and Dr. Gaither tackle the often-overlooked topic of bottoming anxiety, exploring why some guys struggle and how to overcome it. They also delve into the fascinating process of rediscovering rectal sensation!

Of course, no frank discussion about gay sex would be complete without touching on party favors. We weigh in on poppers and other substances, giving you the real deal on risks and rewards. They even dare to go where few podcasts have gone before - yep, we're talking douching dos and don'ts.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Bragg and Dr. Gaither emphasize the importance of emotional connection in great sex. They're on a mission to bust myths, break taboos, and get the LGBTQ+ community talking openly about sexual health. Whether you're a curious listener or seeking some bedroom wisdom, this episode of The AfterMeth promises to be as entertaining as it is informative. Don't miss it!

Find Dr. Gaither here:
Email: thatprostatedoctor@gmail.com
IG: @that_prostate_doctor
Tiktok: @that_prostate_doctor

Dr. Gaither's Study:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00224499.2024.2408648?src=exp-la#abstract

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:33 Redefining Intimacy Post-Meth with Coach Alex

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/intimacy/

I really loved this discussion with Coach Alex Ray, a Queer Intimacy Coach for Queer People. What a much-needed service! We discuss topics such as overcoming religious trauma, practicing intimacy, and the role of OnlyFans in promoting healthy sexuality. Coach Alex shares his personal journey of self-acceptance and how he helps queer individuals navigate dating, relationships, and sex. They also touch on the importance of mindful masturbation and creating emotional connections. The conversation highlights the need for authentic connection and self-confidence in the LGBTQ+ community.

Find Alex Here:
instagram.com/coachalexray
coachalexray.com
coachalexray.com/links

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1: 32 Mastering the Art of Solitude with Dan

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Supplementary Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/loneliness-is-your-best-recovery-friend

I really enjoyed this conversation with Dan, a former Methamphetamine addict whose story is very similar to my own. Yet, he provides so many unique perspectives. In this conversation, Dan discusses how he was able to maintain a high-functioning life while using meth and the moment of clarity that led him to seek help. Dan explores the underlying reasons for his addiction, including a fear of feeling emotions and a deep sense of loneliness. He emphasizes the importance of therapy and learning to understand and express emotions as part of the recovery process. Dan also shares his journey of having sober sex after meth addiction and the challenges and rewards that come with it. He recommends several books, including 'Man's Search for Meaning,' 'The Four Agreements,' 'The Velvet Rage,' and 'The Power of Now.'

Takeaways

Addiction can affect anyone, regardless of their external appearance or success in life.
Recognizing and acknowledging the problem is the first step towards recovery.
Emotional awareness and understanding can help in overcoming addiction.
Loneliness and feelings of inadequacy can contribute to addiction and should be addressed in the recovery process. Using drugs to cope with loneliness only provides temporary relief and ultimately leads to a deeper sense of loneliness and emptiness.
In sobriety, building meaningful connections and relationships takes time and effort, but the rewards are more solid and fulfilling.
Practicing being lonely involves acknowledging and accepting the feeling without judgment, reminding oneself that it won't last forever, and taking steps to reconnect with others when ready.
Sober sex can be a vulnerable and rewarding experience, and open communication with partners is essential for healing and growth.
Spirituality is about being present in the moment and understanding that obstacles and struggles are part of the human experience and contribute to personal growth.
Recommended books for recovery include 'Man's Search for Meaning,' 'The Four Agreements,' 'The Power of Now,' and 'The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.'

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:31 I'm Here, I'm Queer, I'm Sober! with Phil

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/i-m-here-i-m-queer-i-m-sober

Phil Brunke is a new friend of mine who I met in a Facebook group called "Here, Queer. Sober" (link found below). In this episode of the AfterMeth I talk with Phil, who is a recovering crystal meth addict. We discuss his story, the pressures faced by gay men, the journey to sobriety, and the importance of community support. Phil shares the turning point that led him to seek help, and the challenges of navigating life after rehab. We talk about inclusive recovery spaces and the importance of recognizing that individuals are more than just their sexual identities.

Here Queer Sober Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/ZXeogqz53Gyu112Z/

Connect with Phil here:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083455777244

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:30 Rewiring the Addict Brain with Alex

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 01:00:00 -0400

I love featuring other Coaches, especially queer ones in recovery! In this episode, I interview my new friend Alex Garner, a Jay Shetty Certified Life Coach, about his journey to sobriety and the tools and techniques that helped him stay sober. Alex shares his experience with addiction to various substances, and how he finally found success in his fifth rehab stint. He discusses the importance of habits, neuroplasticity, and maintenance in maintaining sobriety. Alex also introduces his five-step morning routine, which includes emotional dumping, gratitude and bragging, life planning, affirmations and visualization, and doing one thing differently daily.

Takeaways

Motivation is not a feeling, it's an action. The more you do it, the more you have of it.
Finding practical tools and techniques that work for you is crucial in staying sober.
Habits play a significant role in maintaining sobriety. They can be deleted, edited, or created to support a healthy lifestyle.
Neuroplasticity allows for the rewiring of the brain and the creation of new habits.
Maintenance is essential in sustaining sobriety, and additional support beyond traditional programs may be necessary.
Alex's five-step morning routine, including emotional dumping, gratitude and bragging, life planning, affirmations and visualization, and doing one thing differently each day, has been transformative in his own sobriety journey. Self-reflection is a powerful tool for raising awareness and identifying areas for personal growth.
Acceptance is not just about being okay with the way things are, but also about consenting to receive the gift of peace and self-worth.

Alex's 5 Step Routine: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yhzAAV83-0Hqc-ONg3ghbUm5eZsnLYm1iuNNTnwDoBE/edit

Find Alex here:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/alexgarnerlifecoach

FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/sober1

Website: www.alexsgarner.com

TikTok: @alex.garner.life.coach

IG: @alexgarnerlifecoach

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:29 Permission to Heal: Overcoming Resistance in Addiction Recovery with Matthew

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/permission-to-heal-in-recovery

Matthew Fuller is a friend, colleague, and kick-ass Certified Coach, and I was honored to sit down with him for this week's podcast episode. Quitting meth is often the easy part of recovery; the hard work lies in self-awareness, trauma healing, and cultivating radical change. Matthew talks about the complexities of change in addiction recovery. We explore the natural fear and resistance that often accompanies change, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and taking small, manageable steps.

The discussion highlights several key points:

Embracing fear: Acknowledging and accepting fear as a normal part of the change process.
Mindful observation: The power of noticing one's thoughts without judgment rather than getting caught in self-criticism.
Emotional management: Developing a healthy relationship with emotions, including detaching from negative feelings and not letting them define one's sense of success.
Body awareness: Reconnecting with physical sensations and using them as a tool for healing.
Self-relationship: The journey of building trust with oneself through small, achievable goals.
Positive outlook: Cultivating openness to new perspectives and embracing positivity in recovery.

Grab a pen and paper y'all; you'll want to take copious notes.

Find Matthew Fuller (he/him) ACC - ICF here:

linktr.ee/matthewctfuller

www.matthewctfuller.com

From Matthew:

I am a queer Canadian living in the UK. I'm passionate about LGBTQIA+ issues, the arts, fitness, and travel. I work to inspire and support others in navigating changes as they work toward happier and more fulfilling lives. I understand how challenging it is to keep pushing forward despite setbacks on this path of personal development which is why I always say, 'this stuff is not easy, but I know you can do it!'

I am a Change and Accountabillity coach using cognitive behavioural coaching, mindfulness, and other scientifically backed methods to help people transform their lives. I work with individuals and organisations on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) projects, addiction recovery/sobriety, and performance enhancement, both professionally and personally. Change is hard, but necessary to live the lives we’ve always dreamed of so I help people to break it down into something that is doable.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

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Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:28 BONUS Episode: Happy 30th Birthday Crystal Meth Anonymous

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Happy 30th Birthday, Crystal Meth Anonymous!

Johnathon Vasquez, a member of Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA), shares his experience with addiction and recovery in this episode of the Aftermeth Podcast. He discusses his journey of relapse and recovery, highlighting the importance of doing the work and following the suggestions of the program. Jonathan emphasizes the need for different anonymous programs like CMA because the experience and effects of crystal meth addiction are unique. He also addresses concerns about triggers and the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals in recovery.

You can reach Jonathan here:
retroguy13@gmail.com

Crystal Meth Anonymous Website:
https://www.crystalmeth.org/

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:27 Let's Get Kinky (Sober) with Daddy Dale and Sober Steve

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: http://drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/let-s-get-kinky-sober

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg discusses the intersection of kink and sobriety with guests Daddy Dale and Sober Steve. They explore how individuals can navigate their sexual identities and desires after overcoming addiction, emphasizing the importance of communication, community, and personal growth. The conversation delves into the dynamics of kink relationships, the significance of aftercare, and the various terms and concepts within the kink community. Listeners are encouraged to redefine their understanding of good sex and to embrace their kinks in a healthy, sober manner.

Find Daddy Dale here:
IG: @bamaleatherdude

About Steve:

Sober Steve the Podcast Guy has been hosting gAy A: The Queer Sober Hero Show, for over three years and has over 200 episodes sharing queer stories of members of our community overcoming addiction and learning to live their best lives. When he isn’t working on his own show, he helps other podcasters launch, grow, and monetize as a Certified Podcast Growth Coach. Find his podcast and more information at his website, www.sobersteve.com.

Find Sober Steve here:
IG: @gayapodcast
IG: @podcastingbadass

Find your Sober Kink Group:

www.soberleathermen.org

Takeaways

Kink scenes require getting to know someone first.
Resetting your sexual template is essential after addiction.
Sober sex can be more fulfilling than using substances.
Communication is key in kink relationships.
Kink is a relative term and varies for everyone.
Aftercare is crucial for emotional and physical well-being.
Finding a supportive community can aid recovery.
Navigating triggers is important for maintaining sobriety.
Exploring kink can lead to personal growth and self-discovery.
It's possible to enjoy sex again after addiction.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:26 HIV: My Fabulous Disease with Mark S. King

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0400

My Fabulous Disease: Chronicles of a Gay Survivor

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/the-trifecta-meth-sex-and-hiv

In this conversation, Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Mark S. King, an HIV writer and advocate, about living with HIV and meth addiction. Mark's latest book, "My Fabulous Disease," is discussed as a launching point for topics such as stigma and shame associated with HIV, the lack of education and empathy in the community, and the ongoing challenges faced by those living with HIV. They also explore the intersection of HIV and meth addiction, the role of empathy and anger in dealing with ignorance, and the process of finding self-acceptance and liberation. The conversation highlights the need for education, understanding, and support for individuals living with HIV and addiction.

About Mark:

Mark S. King is an LGBTQ activist and the writer behind My Fabulous Disease, a GLAAD Media Award-winning blog chronicling his life as an HIV-positive gay addict in recovery.

Find Mark here:

Mark S. King

MyFabulousDisease.com

Mark's new book, a collection of essays spanning four decades:

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:25 The Meth-y Things We Do with Holden

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0400

https://linktr.ee/HBSwanson

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/the-meth-y-things-we-do

Holden, the author of 'Hold'n It Down,' shares his experiences with addiction, sex, and recovery. He discusses his journey from being a meth addict to finding sobriety and self-awareness. Our discussion dives into the propensity of meth to lower inhibitions and push the taboo envelope. The conversation highlights the need for support and understanding in the recovery process. Holden emphasizes the importance of self-discovery, exploring one's own body, and redefining intimacy in sobriety. He also talks about his podcast, Sober Unicorn, and the need for inclusive spaces in the recovery community.

Find Holden here:

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:24 Finding Employment Post-Addiction with Kevin Hyer

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/employment-post-addiction

In this episode of the Aftermath podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Kevin Hyer, Esq. Founder/CEO of The Hyer Calling Foundation. They discuss the importance of promoting and maintaining a Recovery-Friendly Workplace and the challenges faced by individuals in recovery. Kevin shares his personal journey of overcoming a severe Crystal Methamphetamine Use Disorder and how his former employer, a prominent Philadelphia law firm, gave him some kind of second chance. He also talks about The Hyer Calling Foundation’s work helping highly motivated individuals in recovery rebuild their lives and find employment. They touch on topics such as self-acceptance, making amends, and the importance of finding supportive relationships. Kevin shares his experiences with addiction and recovery, highlighting the journey to rebuilding his life.

Kevin Hyer, Esq. is Founder/CEO of The Hyer Calling Foundation, a Center City Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that educates businesses on the benefits of promoting and maintaining a Recovery-Friendly Workplace.

https://www.hyercalling.org/

Prior to forming the foundation he practiced labor law for 10 years in different capacities at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel, Compass Group USA and SEIU Healthcare PA. In long term recovery from Methamphetamine Use Disorder, Kevin is Board Counsel to Faces & Voices of Recovery in Washington, DC and a member of the Penn State School of Labor & HR’s Affiliated Program Group faculty advisory board.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:23 Crystal Meth: The New AIDS Crisis? With Dr. David Fawcett and Terrence Crawford

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/crystal-meth-the-next-aids-crisis

Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with two of the most influential voices in Crystal Meth Addiction Recovery, Dr. David Fawcett and Terrence Crawford. Dr. Fawcett is the author of "Lust, Men, and Meth: A Gay Men's Guide to Sex and Recovery," and Mr. Crawford is the Writer, Director, and Producer of the award-winning documentary "Crystal City."

The book and film together are the cornerstones of understanding and eradicating crystal meth addiction among men who have sex with men (MSM).

The conversation explores the crystal meth addiction epidemic and its impact on mental health and identity. They discuss the comparison between the crystal meth epidemic and the AIDS crisis, the changing dynamics of the chemsex scene, the rise of online platforms, and the dark and exploitative aspects of the community.

Terrence discusses his upcoming film project, a sequel to Crystal City and Dr. Fawcett highlights his new book, "Sex Under the Influence: Understanding and Healing from Sexualized Drug Use."

Terrence Crawford

Director / Producer / Editor

Terrence is the director of "Crystal City (2019)," currently the most widely-distributed documentary on chemsex / PNP recovery internationally. He is also known for editing and archival-producing "Fatal Watch" for Brick City TV, and producing the STARZ-channel documentary "Fail State."

He has received 4 Honorary Emmy certificates for his work on hit shows such as "Queer Eye" (Netflix), "The First 48" (A&E), "Alone" (History), "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" (Bravo), and the Ru Paul’s Drag Race Universe (World of Wonder).

https://www.crystalcitymovie.com/

His blogs and webinars can be found at www.sexandrelationshiphealing.com

Podcast: Sex, Love and Addiction: Healing Conversations for Men Who Have Sex with Men on Spotify . https://open.spotify.com/show/7AowD16FZ1ikyOaqnnJxme

Books:

Lust, Men and Meth: A Gay Man's Guide to Sex and Recovery. https://tinyurl.com/2ksdvsbe

Sex Under the Influence: Understanding and Healing from Sexualized Drug Use. https://tinyurl.com/yck7h9d6(links)

Website: www.david-fawcett.com

Social Media:

IG. yourchemsexhelp

X. yourchemsexhelp

Youtube. yourchemsexhelp

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:22 When the Universe Gives You a Decision Point with Mausjohn

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/the-point-of-no-return

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Mausjohn, a recovering addict, about his struggle with addiction to crystal meth. He discusses his involvement in the ballroom scene and how drugs were prevalent within that community.
The turning point for Mausjohn was a decision point the Universe delivered that put him on a new trajectory. Listen to hear the full story!
Mausjohn also discusses the challenges faced by African American gay men in addiction recovery and the need for more support and resources tailored to their experiences.

Contact Mausjohn: mep9151967@gmail.com

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:21 Meditation in Recovery with Jason (and JOMO)

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 17:00:00 -0400

Supplementary Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/meditation-in-recovery

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Jason Linney, a meditation teacher, about the benefits of meditation for addiction recovery. They discuss the misconception that meditation is about stopping thoughts and explain that it is actually about awareness and non-judgment of thoughts. They also talk about the importance of consistency in meditation practice and how it can help reduce anxiety and stress. The conversation emphasizes the proactive and preventative nature of meditation, as well as the positive impact it can have on one's overall well-being.

Find Monkey Mind Meditation here:

https://www.tiktok.com/@monkeymindmeditation?lang=en

Sign up for Jason's Meditation Course:

https://stan.store/Monkeymind_Meditation

Use Code DALLAS1 for 15%

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:20 Doing the Work in Recovery with Brian

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/doing-the-work-in-recovery

In this episode of the After Meth Podcast, host Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Brian Banks, a former meth addict and now the host of his own podcast called Raging HeartOn, about his journey to recovery and the importance of therapy in his healing process. They discuss the challenges of being authentic and vulnerable, the impact of childhood trauma on self-identity, and the power of journaling to quiet the noise in one's mind. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, honesty, and surrounding oneself with authentic and supportive people.

Find Brian : https://www.tiktok.com/@ragingheartonpodcast

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:19 Untangling Meth from Sex with David

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Episode Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/untangling-meth-from-sex

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg discusses the challenges of sober sex and intimacy after crystal meth addiction with psychosexual therapist David Clifford. They address common questions and concerns, such as approaching sober sex, untangling sexual function with pornography, and overcoming the fear of intimacy. The conversation emphasizes the importance of patience, building a support network, and exploring non-sexual intimacy as a starting point. They also discuss the artificial sense of community created by chemsex and the need to prioritize personal sobriety before helping others.

Find David here: https://www.davidcliffordtherapy.co.uk/

Controlling Chemsex: https://controllingchemsex.com/

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:18 From Junkie to Judge with Mary Beth

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Study Gude: www.drdallasbragg.com/marybeth/

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Mary Beth O'Connor, author of 'From Junkie to Judge, One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction.' Mary Beth, who was a long-term methamphetamine addict, discusses her amazing journey from addiction and deep trauma to recovery and eventually completing law school and becoming a judge. She emphasizes the importance of self-empowered recovery and finding a support group that aligns with one's beliefs and values. Mary Beth also shares her insights on forgiveness and the process of reconnecting with one's true self. The conversation touches on topics such as childhood trauma, the impact of neglect, and the role of personal boundaries in supporting loved ones with addiction.

Find Mary Beth and her memoir here:

Website: junkietojudge.com

X/Twitter: @Mary BethO_

Memoir: https://a.co/d/isYA3xH

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:17 Overcoming Adolescent Addiction with Josh

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Supplemental Study Guide: www.drdallasbragg.com/josh/

Josh Gray, a former heroin addict, shares his story of addiction and trauma. He was molested as a child and started using heroin at a young age. His addiction escalated throughout high school, and he would spend weekends alone in the woods shooting up heroin. The catalyst for his sobriety was when his best friend asked him to be the godfather of her child and told him she wouldn't let him in the baby's life if he didn't get his life straight. This gave him a sense of purpose and motivated him to change.

Overwriting Limiting Beliefs: www.drdallasbragg.com/healyourtriggers

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:16 The Myth of Sex Addiction with Ken Howard

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Supplementary Study Gude:
www.drdallasbragg.com/sexaddiction/

In this conversation, Dr. Dallas Bragg and Ken Howard discuss the concept of sex addiction and its controversial nature. They explore the lack of objective diagnostic criteria for sex addiction and the subjective nature of its diagnosis. They also discuss the importance of understanding the motives behind sexual behavior and the role of self-medication in hypersexuality. The conversation then shifts to the topic of untangling the association of sex with meth addiction and the process of reclaiming a healthy and rewarding sexuality. They emphasize the importance of patience, communication, and self-acceptance in this journey. Finally, they touch on the issue of body image and the need to embrace oneself and focus on internal resources for empowerment.

About Ken:

Ken Howard, MSW, LCSW, CST has been a psychotherapist specializing in gay men’s mental health (individuals and couples) for over 32 years, the most experienced gay men’s specialist psychotherapist and coach in the United States today. He is the founder/director of www.GayTherapyLA.com and GayCoachingLA.com, his full-time private practice in therapy and coaching from his home in Los
Angeles/West Hollywood. He is an AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist. He is a Certified Psychiatric Social Worker and California Clinical Supervisor. He is a graduate of UCLA and the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work (where he was an Adjunct Associate Professor, teaching courses in LGBT Social Work Practice, Couples Therapy, and Evidence-Based Treatment Models). He was formerly the Clinical Director of two LA-based HIV/AIDS social service agencies. He is the author of the book Self-
Empowerment: Have the Life You Want!, and Positive Outlook: Collected Essays for Living Successfully with HIV Today. He is the host of the popular “Gay Therapy LA” podcast, and the author of the online course, “Starting Your Own Business: A Guide for Gay Male Entrepreneurs” on Thinkific.com. He and his husband of 22 years live in West Hollywood, California, among the first 18,000 couples married in California in 2008.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:15 When Family Love You to Death with Mark

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 01:00:00 -0400

Study Guide for this Episode: www.drdallasbragg.com/family/

Mark, a former crystal meth addict, shares his journey of addiction, recovery, and self-acceptance. He discusses the enabling behavior of his family, the role of spirituality in his recovery, and the challenges of uncoupling crystal meth from sex. Mark emphasizes the importance of individualized recovery and the need to let go of self-imposed expectations. He also reflects on the consequences of relapse and the motivation to stay clean and sober. Mark emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive community in recovery and the value of being honest and accountable. He concludes by highlighting the need for understanding and compassion towards individuals in recovery.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:14 Psychedelics in Recovery with Steve

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 01:00:00 -0400

https://sessions.sacredpma.org/start

Study guide:
www.drdallasbragg.com/psychedelics/

In this episode of The AfterMeth, Steve Taylor, a psychedelic somatic facilitator, discusses the use of psychedelics in healing and sobriety. He explains that psychedelic somatic therapy focuses on accessing and processing deep-rooted traumas and core material in a safe and relational way. The therapy utilizes the body's innate healing abilities and aims to quiet the mind to access deeper layers of healing.

Steve emphasizes that psychedelics are not an escape or a quick fix, but a tool for inner exploration and growth. He also addresses the reconciliation of using psychedelics while being in the 12-step program, highlighting the importance of individual choice and checking motivations. In this conversation, Dr. Dallas Bragg and Steve Taylor explore the history of psychedelics in treating addiction, the importance of intention and motivation, and the role of spiritual experiences in recovery. They also discuss the need for trauma healing and integration in the recovery process. Steve shares information about his private membership association and the use of ketamine and psilocybin in his work. They emphasize the importance of addressing root causes and the need for a holistic approach to recovery.

Steve’s passion for healing comes from his recovery from alcoholism which began in 2009.
An investigator and experimenter by nature, he loves taking deep dives on various topics related to healing and spirituality.

Steve’s professional journey has mirrored his inner work. In 2018, after having been working as an addiction counselor in 12-step treatment centers for five years, Steve became obsessed with addressing the root causes of addiction versus treating symptoms. This led to studying trauma and modalities such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy and Internal Family Systems while staying connected to the spiritual principles of the 12 Steps.

In 2020, after 11-plus years of sobriety, Steve intentionally began working with psychedelics himself as tools to access and process trauma. These experiences were transformational for Steve and guided him to an apprenticeship with the Psychedelic Somatic Institute. While Steve enjoys holding space in traditional psychedelic-assisted sessions, he is most passionate about working with others using Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP)

Find Steve here:

www.sacredpma.org

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:13: Self-Acceptance in Recovery with Kaushal

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 01:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The AfterMeth, Dr. Dallas sits down with former crystal meth addict Kaushal V. Kaushal shares his journey of addiction and recovery. He initially turned to alcohol and Adderall to cope with the pressures of medical school. Eventually, he spiraled into meth addiction, which intensified during the pandemic. With the support of friends and family, he sought help and is now pursuing a career in healthcare administration. Kaushal emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and finding safety before coming out. He also highlights the role of interventions in saving lives and the need for acceptance and support in recovery. Kaushal shares his journey of addiction and recovery, highlighting the importance of finding support and community. He discusses his struggles with substance abuse and how his partner pushed him to seek help. Kaushal talks about his experiences with therapy, AA meetings, and the importance of finding a tribe of people who understand and support him. He also touches on the challenges of navigating sex addiction in recovery and offers advice for those in similar situations. Overall, Kaushal emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, honesty, and being open to suggestions in the recovery process.

The AfterMeth:

Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/

Dallas Bragg

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/

Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1: 12: A.I. : The Future of Addiction Recovery with Dino

Thu, 30 May 2024 01:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the AfterMeth podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Dino Miliotis, a recovering addict and spokesperson for Opiate, a data science company using AI to combat the opioid epidemic. They discuss the challenges of addiction recovery, the importance of accurate communication between patients and healthcare professionals, and the potential of technology to improve treatment outcomes. The conversation highlights the need for a more personalized and precise approach to addiction treatment, and the role of opiate in providing real-time data and tailored care. Dr. Dallas Bragg discusses the potential of AI technology in addiction recovery and the importance of connection in the recovery process. He emphasizes the need for trust in AI and the responsible use of technology. Dr. Bragg also shares his experience with addiction and the importance of lifestyle changes in maintaining sobriety. He talks about his upcoming appearance on Shark Tank and the future of the opioid technology he is developing.

Dino Miliotis has been a driving force in business for more than 30 years. He’s been featured on Oprah, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Crain’s Chicago Business and People Magazine. His resonating message of hope, changing the world one person at a time, is his mantra at what he now describes as the most rewarding time of his life.

As a recovering addict, Miliotis documents his life journey and road to recovery, from a more than 20-year battle with alcohol and substance use, in his memoir, ‘There Is No Box.’

Miliotis is best known as the inventor of an all-natural insect-repelling bracelet, Bug-Ban, which he launched in Chicago in 1996.

He is currently the spokesperson for OpiAID, an award-winning data science company that’s harnessing the power of AI to combat the opioid epidemic.

OpiAID website:
https://opiaid.ai/

Follow Dino Miliotis;
IG @therealdinomiliotis
FB @DinoMiliotis

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Dallas Bragg

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EP 1:11 When Interventions Work with Brandon

Thu, 23 May 2024 01:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Aftermeth Podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Brandon, a survivor of crystal meth addiction. They discuss the importance of nightly routines and how they can impact sobriety and mental well-being. Brandon shares his personal journey, starting from his childhood and feeling abandoned, to his experiences with addiction and the impact it had on his relationships. The conversation also touches on the role of voguing houses as a chosen family and the ultimatum that Brandon's friends gave him to choose between the drug and their support. Brandon shares his experience of being ready to seek help and the importance of being in the right mindset for recovery. He discusses the challenges of helping someone who is not ready to be helped and emphasizes the need for patience. Brandon also talks about his journey of healing and self-discovery, including the importance of self-love and taking accountability for his actions. He shares the challenges of sober sex and the need for open communication and understanding with partners. Brandon highlights the importance of rewiring the brain and allowing oneself to feel and process emotions. In this part of the conversation, Brandon discusses his journey of recovery and self-love. He talks about the challenges he faced during his four years of sobriety and how he realized that being without the substance doesn't necessarily mean being farther along in recovery. Brandon emphasizes the importance of emotional sobriety and the need to address the underlying issues that led to addiction. He shares his process of learning to love himself, including allowing himself to feel his emotions and practicing self-kindness. Brandon also talks about the importance of taking care of oneself, setting boundaries, and doing things that bring joy and fulfillment.

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Dallas Bragg

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Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:10 Medically Assisted Sobriety with Dr. Mark

Thu, 16 May 2024 10:00:00 -0400

Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Dr. Mark Morris about medical-assisted sobriety and supporting friends struggling with addiction. They discuss the importance of personalized treatment and the need for an open mind in exploring different approaches to sobriety. They also touch on the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in finding supportive treatment options. Dr. Morris emphasizes the value of medication-assisted treatment, but highlights the importance of combining it with therapy, coaching, and a strong support network. They also discuss the barriers to accessing treatment, such as cost and lack of knowledgeable healthcare providers.

Takeaways

Personalized treatment is crucial for addiction recovery, and different approaches may work for different individuals.
Medication-assisted treatment can be effective for alcohol and opioid addiction, but research on its efficacy for meth addiction is limited.
The LGBTQ+ community may face additional challenges in finding supportive treatment options.
Combining medication-assisted treatment with therapy, coaching, and a strong support network can increase the chances of successful recovery.
Access to treatment, including medication-assisted treatment, can be hindered by cost and a lack of knowledgeable healthcare providers.

As a teen, Dr. Mark discovered that alcohol allowed him to function in a straight marriage. Over the years, he added marijuana and sometimes other substances like benzodiazepines. When his children were teens themselves, they arranged an intervention that led Dr. Mark to rehab and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

After his divorce, Dr. Mark met his husband, whose story matched his own in many ways. They remain close to their families. Dr. Mark's former wife has since become a friend, while his husband's former wife has passed away.

Dr. Mark's AA sponsor is straight, but they have maintained their relationship over the years. His home group is One-to-One in St. Petersburg, and he attends meetings every week.

Sobriety has led Dr. Mark into humanitarian work in Haiti and with uninsured people in Tampa. He is interested in all approaches to achieving sobriety, especially as they relate to gay men and women, including medication-assisted recovery, although he has never worked professionally in addiction medicine.

The AfterMeth:

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Dallas Bragg

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EP 1:9 Finding the Root of Addiction with Sober Dave

Wed, 08 May 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Find the accompanying "working" blog for this episode that includes journal prompts, reflective questions and a guided meditation here:
www.drdallasbragg.com/dothework/

In this conversation, Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Dave, a former crystal meth addict and sobriety coach. Dave shares his personal journey of addiction, recovery, and the importance of addressing mental health issues. He discusses the impact of stigma and shame surrounding addiction, the role of therapy in his recovery, and the power of sharing his story to inspire others. Dave also talks about his organization, Sober Gay Sunday, and his podcast, which aim to create a supportive community for LGBTQIA+ individuals in recovery. The conversation explores the prevalence of crystal meth addiction among gay men and the challenges they face in recovery. Dr. Dallas Bragg shares his personal experience with meth addiction and his journey to sobriety. He emphasizes the hidden nature of the epidemic and the ease of access to meth through dating apps. Dr. Bragg also discusses the importance of building a support network and finding healthy ways to socialize in sobriety. He highlights the need for understanding and compassion towards individuals struggling with addiction.

Dave Becker, a 38-year-old gymnastics coach and sober advocate based in the Boston area, is known for his work with the LGBTQIA+ community in recovery. He founded Sober Gay Sunday, an organization that provides a social platform for members of this community on their recovery journey. Additionally, Dave hosts a podcast under the same name, where he shares stories of addiction and recovery from LGBTQIA+ individuals. His efforts aim to foster support and empowerment within this community.

Find Dave here:

Instagram: @sobergaysunday Personal Instagram: @gymdave85

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Dallas Bragg

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Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:8 Alternatives to the 12 Steps with Coach Andrew Moses

Thu, 02 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Dr. Dallas Bragg and Andrew Moses discuss their experiences with drug addiction and the unique challenges faced by the queer community. They emphasize the importance of perspective shifts and changing one's relationship with oneself in the recovery process. They also highlight the limitations of traditional 12-step programs and offer alternative approaches to healing, focusing on physical health, trauma, and somatics. The conversation explores the impact of shame, the need for compassion and understanding, and the role of self-acceptance in the recovery journey. Dr. Dallas Bragg discusses the importance of reframing relapse as a slip-up and emphasizes that individuals do not lose all their progress when they slip up. Instead, they can learn from the slip-up and build resilience. Anticipation is a key tool in avoiding slip-ups, as it allows individuals to develop strategies to navigate challenging moments. Dr. Bragg also highlights the significance of understanding the underlying trauma and dysregulation that often drive substance abuse. He encourages individuals to reorient their relationship with themselves, build self-worth and self-trust, and engage in self-support and self-nurturing.

Andrew Moses, a coach and mentor from Melbourne, Australia, is known as the Queer Drug Coach on TikTok, where he has been sharing his insights for almost 2 years. His journey with substance abuse began in his early 20s with Oxycontin and culminated with methamphetamine in his early 30s. Drawing from his personal experiences and his work with queer individuals globally who struggle with substances, Andrew has developed a unique approach to healing. He adopts a non-12 step method that emphasizes compassion, trauma healing, and somatic practices. Andrew believes that substance abuse enters our lives to impart valuable lessons, and by cultivating self-compassion, acceptance, and understanding, individuals can navigate through challenges and evolve into their highest selves.

Find Andrew here: https://beacons.ai/andrewmoses

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Dallas Bragg

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Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

Episode 1:7 Listener Letter: Sober But Unfulfilled

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg addresses a letter from a listener who is struggling with cravings and triggers even after six years of sobriety. Dr. Bragg challenges the idea that addiction is a disease and encourages the listener to see addiction as a part of themselves that can be integrated and worked with. He emphasizes the importance of self-actualization and emotional sobriety in recovery. Dr. Bragg also discusses the role of the ego mind in addiction and the need for emotional detox and shadow integration. He concludes by urging listeners to shift their perspective on addiction and take responsibility for their healing.

Takeaways

Addiction is not a disease, but a part of ourselves that can be integrated and worked with.
Self-actualization and emotional sobriety are key in recovery.
The ego mind plays a role in addiction and seeks to fulfill temporary needs.
Emotional detox and shadow integration are important for healing and releasing old emotions and trauma.
Shifting the perspective on addiction and taking responsibility for one's own healing is crucial.

Guided Meditation: https://youtu.be/yhdmJG5aOEc?si=ncFAbFvZYfSxrt9x

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Dallas Bragg

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Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:6 Controlling Chemsex with Ignacio

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Ignacio, the CEO and co-founder of Controlling Chemsex, an organization that supports men struggling with chemsex addiction. Ignacio shares his personal journey of overcoming a severe GHB dependency and his work in helping others. They discuss the importance of being ready to help others in recovery, the challenges of making friends in sobriety, and the process of rediscovering intimacy and sober sex. Ignacio emphasizes the need to find excitement and connection in life without drugs and the importance of exploring one's interests to build meaningful relationships. Controlling Chemsex is an organization that offers support and resources for individuals struggling with chemsex, a combination of drug use and sex. They provide one-on-one support, access to psychosexual therapists, and free online courses. The organization aims to fill the gap in support services for chemsex and provide compassionate help to those in need. They also emphasize harm reduction and the importance of addressing the specific needs of individuals involved in chemsex. Controlling Chemsex is dedicated to offering free services and supporting individuals worldwide.

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EP 1:5 Supporting an Addict from a Sibling's Perspective with Janice

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews his sister, Janice, about what it was like to have a close relative addicted to crystal meth. They discuss childhood memories, the changes that occurred after Dallas came out, and the warning signs that Janice noticed. They also talk about the importance of support and how to handle phone calls from someone struggling with addiction. Janice shares her regrets and the challenges she faced in trying to help Dallas. This conversation explores the challenges and dynamics of supporting a loved one with crystal meth addiction. It emphasizes the importance of shifting perception and reframing relapse as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block. The discussion delves into the destructive nature of meth addiction and the impact it has on relationships and everyday life. It highlights the journey of rebuilding trust and forging a new relationship with a recovering addict. The conversation concludes with information on upcoming promotions and resources for support.

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Dallas Bragg

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EP 1:3 Bored, Angry, Lonely, Tired with Rob

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg interviews Rob, a sex addiction recovery life coach, about his personal journey and the challenges of sex addiction. They discuss the connection between sex addiction and other addictions, the role of dopamine in addiction, and the destructive nature of sex addiction. Rob emphasizes the importance of slowing down, becoming aware of one's thoughts and feelings, and practicing self-discipline in order to overcome addiction. He also highlights the need for individualized strategies and the willingness to take responsibility for one's own recovery. In this conversation, Dr. Dallas Bragg and Rob discuss the challenges of sex addiction and meth use. They explore the fear of sober sex and the belief that one cannot experience pleasure without drugs. They emphasize the importance of a shift in perception and the need for a support network to overcome addiction. They also provide strategies for managing triggers and cravings, such as journaling and creating a supportive environment. The conversation highlights the importance of self-worth, self-love, and the power of making the decision to change.

Takeaways

Sex addiction is a real and progressive addiction that can be as destructive as other addictions like meth and alcohol.
Sex addiction often starts at a young age and is driven by the need for validation, love, and connection.
Slowing down, becoming aware of one's thoughts and feelings, and practicing self-discipline are key strategies for overcoming addiction.
Journaling can be a helpful tool for self-reflection and becoming aware of one's internal dialogue.
Recovery from sex addiction requires individualized strategies and a willingness to take responsibility for one's own well-being. The fear of sober sex is a major challenge for individuals addicted to meth and sex.
A shift in perception is crucial for overcoming addiction and experiencing pleasure without drugs.
Having a support network is essential for recovery and transformation.
Strategies such as journaling and creating a supportive environment can help manage triggers and cravings.
Building self-worth and self-love is key to making the decision to change and transform one's life.

Work with Rob:
http://www.Lifetransformation.fitness

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Dallas Bragg

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Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

Ep 1:4 Social Circles Post Addiction with Paul

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Aftermeth, Dr. Dallas Bragg and Paul Janeski discuss building social networks post-addiction, the integrative and holistic approach to therapy with gay men, changing negative self-narratives, navigating triggers in recovery, and reframing relapse. In this conversation, Dr. Dallas Bragg and Paul Janeski discuss the importance of building a social network for gay men and the challenges they face in starting a social network from scratch. They explore the role of substance abuse in social gatherings and the difficulty of finding sober social activities. They also discuss strategies for overcoming social anxiety and rebuilding social community after meth addiction. The conversation emphasizes the importance of acceptance, support, and connection in healing and provides resources for finding support and services.

Takeaways

Building a social network is crucial for individuals recovering from addiction, and it can be challenging for those coming out of meth addiction. Finding safe spaces and support groups specifically for LGBTQ individuals can provide a sense of understanding and connection.
Therapy approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic theory, and mindfulness can help individuals challenge negative self-narratives and develop healthier thought patterns.
Being honest and transparent about triggers and seeking support from others can be beneficial in recovery. It's important to find spaces where individuals feel safe to share their experiences without judgment.
Reframing relapse involves shifting one's perception and understanding of addiction and relapse. It requires addressing underlying beliefs and emotions to break the cycle of addiction. Building a social network is crucial for gay men, but it can be challenging to find sober social activities beyond hookup apps.
Substance abuse is often prevalent in gay social gatherings, making it difficult for individuals in recovery to find supportive communities.
Group therapy sessions led by gay therapists can provide a safe space for gay men to address social anxiety and low self-esteem.
Online social networks, like hookup apps, can be hazardous for individuals in recovery, as they can trigger relapse and negative emotions.

Work with Paul:
www.pauljaneski.com

www.mensmettacoachingandcounseling.com

Instagram @mens_metta_coaching

The AfterMeth:

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Dallas Bragg

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Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:2 Dallas's Story.

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg shares his personal story of addiction and recovery. He discusses the impact of childhood messages and beliefs on his addiction journey. Dr. Bragg highlights the importance of early experiences in shaping one's worldview and self-perception. He also explores the challenges of coming out and finding a sense of belonging in the gay community, including experiences of rejection and insecurity. Dr. Dallas Bragg shares his personal journey of addiction to crystal meth and the challenges he faced in seeking acceptance and validation. He explores the root causes of addiction and the impact of childhood trauma on his self-perception. The consequences of addiction, including unhealthy relationships and emotional triggers, are discussed. Dr. Bragg delves into the allure of the crystal meth community and the escalation of drug use. He recounts his experiences with homelessness, arrests, and legal troubles. Finally, he shares his path to recovery and the importance of self-love and connection in rebuilding a fulfilling life.

Takeaways
Childhood messages and beliefs can have a significant impact on addiction and recovery.
Early experiences shape one's worldview and self-perception.
Coming out and finding belonging in the gay community can be challenging, with experiences of rejection and insecurity.
Understanding the origins of addiction can help in the recovery process. Addiction often stems from a deep need for acceptance and validation.
Childhood trauma can significantly impact self-perception and contribute to addictive behaviors.
Emotional triggers and a lack of self-worth can perpetuate unhealthy relationships and patterns of rejection.
Crystal meth addiction can lead to severe consequences, including homelessness, legal troubles, and a loss of personal identity.
Recovery requires a commitment to self-love, personal growth, and building a support network.

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Dallas Bragg

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Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout

EP 1:1 Why Another Podcast?

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The Aftermeth Podcast is introduced by Dr. Dallas Bragg, a former crystal meth addict turned sobriety coach. The purpose of the podcast is to increase awareness about crystal meth addiction among the gay male population and provide resources for addicts and their loved ones. Dr. Bragg shares a message from a viewer who credits his videos with helping him stay sober. The ripple effect of sobriety is discussed, highlighting how one person's recovery can positively impact their friends, family, and future generations. Dr. Bragg explains his personal motivation for starting the podcast, including the desire to support loved ones affected by addiction. The prevalence of crystal meth in the gay community is emphasized, and the need for a repository of resources for loved ones is identified. The unique nature of crystal meth addiction is explored, particularly its connection to the experiences and struggles of gay men. Trigger warnings and content advisories are provided, and the format of the podcast is explained, including listener engagement and future plans. Dr. Bragg promotes a free relapse course and invites listeners to join the Aftermath Facebook community. The episode concludes with a farewell message.

Takeaways

Crystal meth addiction is a significant issue among the gay male population, and there is a need for resources and support for addicts and their loved ones.
Sobriety can have a ripple effect, positively impacting not only the individual but also their friends, family, and future generations.
The unique nature of crystal meth addiction in the gay community is explored, highlighting the connection to experiences of shame, trauma, and internalized homophobia.
The Aftermeth Podcast aims to provide a repository of resources and support for loved ones affected by addiction, as well as tools for addicts in their recovery journey.

Dr. Dallas Bragg launched his Sobriety Coaching business in January 2023 to help gay men break free from addictive behavior and create life past addiction. After struggling with a crystal meth addiction, he decided to begin his sobriety journey on August 4, 2018. Since then, he and his two kids have rebuilt their lives together. Now, blending spirituality and recovery has led to an expansive coaching practice and a new podcast called The AfterMeth. Dallas makes time for physical fitness, houseplant, hiking, and his favorite pastime: writing. Dallas obtained his doctorate in Nonprofit Leadership in 2014 and still enjoys teaching part-time at post-secondary Universities.

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