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

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

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

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

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https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/GuidedPractices
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 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.
The AfterMeth:
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Dallas Bragg
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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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Study Guide:  
https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/pitfalls
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:
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Dallas Bragg
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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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Supplemental Study Guide:
https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/chemsexcommunity
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
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