Dallas Bragg talks to people leaving the gay chemsex scene about cutting ties with drug-using friends. A few months on Tina can feel like years of friendship, but staying in touch risks early recovery. He suggests a temporary pause instead of blocking them, with the option to reconnect once sobriety feels solid.
You know, one of the challenges I see with clients who have been in the gay chemsex world is cutting ties with using buddies. Let's face it, not all experiences on Tina were negative, and we meet some really great people along the way. The experiences you have with these other guys often go way past sex. There is some deep bonding that goes on, and it's okay to admit that. 24 hours with someone on Tina feels like you've known them. For 24 months. But if your friends are still using and you want to quit, this temptation is just too much in early recovery, and it feels very mean to block guys without letting them know where you went. So for some clients, I offer a slight shift in perspective, and that is, you are only disconnecting with them temporarily. Once you're strong enough, Perhaps you can reconnect, but very cautiously. There is something about the temporary nature of these sentiments that help my clients let go easier and put their own recovery first. Try it and let me know.
