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Supplimental Study Guide

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

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.

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Supplimental Study Guide:

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

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: [email protected]

Instagram: jacques22z

Facebook: jacques.viljoen.752

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Supplemental Study Guide:  

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

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

 

 

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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.

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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)

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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/

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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

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Dr. Dallas Bragg

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Study Guide:

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

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

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Dr. Dallas Bragg

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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-

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Dr. Dallas Bragg

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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

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

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