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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

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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:

https://nomatterwhatrecovery.com/

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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.

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. List

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Dr. Dallas Bragg

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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:

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Dr. Dallas Bragg

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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:

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Dr. Dallas Bragg

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YouTube: The Aftermeth Podcast

X: https://twitter.com/Drdallasbragg

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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:

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Dr. Dallas Bragg

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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://ignitinghope.info

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/drake-schoeppl-chicago-il/818141

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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

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Dr. Dallas Bragg

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