Dallas BraggFormer crystal methamphetamine user, I help men who have sex with men break free from the addictive patterns associated with Chemsex. Currently expanding my expertise by seeking to become a Certified

Are You Ready to Drop the Shame?

13 May 2025 · 2 min

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1:55

In this monologue, Dallas Bragg shares the recovery story of his client Charles, a long‑time chemsex participant who used crystal meth (referred to as "Tina") while maintaining a job and relationships. After a personal tragedy, Charles' use escalated, and he fell back into a shame‑laden cycle within a traditional recovery group that demanded conditional acceptance and day‑counting. Bragg critiques that model, describing how the pressure to proclaim permanent abstinence and the stigma of relapse deepened Charles' shame. He then introduces his own non‑abstinence‑first, harm‑reduction philosophy: never say “I’m not using again,” eliminate day‑counting, and treat relapses as learning opportunities. By removing the fear‑based pressure, Charles was able to rebuild self‑confidence, trust himself, and achieve his longest period of abstinence in years, living guilt‑ and shame‑free. Bragg closes by inviting viewers to adopt this compassionate approach, emphasizing that everyone is one decision away from use and that collective support can replace fear and hopelessness.

Chapters

Hey, let me tell you about my chemsex client Charles, who was able to quit using crystal after decades of relapse. Charles has a familiar story of being able to use Tina frequently yet still maintain a job and relationships. But when tragedy struck his life, his use became more frequent and became a coping mechanism. Often when we face loss in our life, we will look for soothing and connection in the most excessive accessible way possible, which at the time seems like what Tina can do. He was a member of a certain recovery group for years but ended up pulling away because his collection of key tags became embarrassing and he couldn't stomach another walk of shame when he relapsed. The cycle became hopeless because the one place where he thought he could find unconditional support actually provided conditional connection. As long as he acted and did what they said, he would be accepted. Same as he felt in the gay community. In my program, he immediately found relief through my philosophy of never say I'm not using again. The removal of the pressure of instant abstinence actually allowed him the space to build self-confidence and self-love, as he didn't spend his days in fear of using or always on guard of the devil of addiction. Lurking in the parking lot. I told him we don't count days, and if he relapses, great, we will have the opportunity to learn. And 6 months later, Charles is enjoying his longest stretch of abstinence in years. And better than that, he trusts himself. He's empowered and free to live his life guilt and shame-free. I invite you to free yourself. Stop living in fear and hopelessness and know that we are all the same. Newcomers and old-timers, we are all one decision away from use, and we are all in this together.