The AfterMeth: Gay Men Recovering from Crystal Methamphetamine Addiction

• EP 2:26 Loving Yourself AfterMeth with Brian Spitulnik

  Send us a textSupplimental Study Guide:  https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/lovingyourselfIn 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: @SpitulnikThe AfterMeth: Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/ Dr. Dallas Bragg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdallasbragg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drdallasbragg YouTube: The Aftermeth Podcast X: https://twitter.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

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• EP 2:25 The Moral Lessons of Chemsex with Maurice

  Send us a textSupplimental Study Guide:  https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/moralIn 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:  [email protected] book for free:  https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/oa-mono/10.4324/9781003341758/moral-lessons-chemsex-maurice-nagingtonThe AfterMeth: Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/ Dr. Dallas Bragg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdallasbragg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drdallasbragg YouTube: The Aftermeth Podcast X: https://twitter.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

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• EP 2:24 Artificial Intelligence and Chemsex Recovery with Dan

  Send us a textSupplemental 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: @lawwoodmanBook 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_11The AfterMeth: Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/ Dr. Dallas Bragg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdallasbragg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drdallasbragg YouTube: The Aftermeth Podcast X: https://twitter.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

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• EP 2:23 Listener Letters with Bobby

  Send us a textSupplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/listenerlettersIn 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/ Dr. Dallas Bragg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdallasbragg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drdallasbragg YouTube: The Aftermeth Podcast X: https://twitter.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

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

  Send us a textSupplementary Study Guide:  https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/sevenyearsIn 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/ Dr. Dallas Bragg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdallasbragg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drdallasbragg YouTube: The Aftermeth Podcast X: https://twitter.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

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