Dallas Bragg, a chemsex recovery coach, says the real fear stopping gay men from quitting isn't death or losing friends. It's the question: who am I without this? Chemsex gave him an identity, a persona, a place to belong. Stepping away means finally facing yourself.
You know, there's one thought that crosses every gay man's mind right before he goes chemsex-free, and it's not what you think. Hi, my name is Dallas. I'm a chemsex recovery coach helping men who have sex with men. Listen, when I was in active use, I got off on being the one who would do anything he was dared to do. I even had a Tumblr account called Dare Me To. That was one of the first times in my life that I felt like a cool kid. So often the question is not, I'm going to die. I have to stop. I'm going to lose everything. It's quieter than that. It's, who am I without this substance and without this subculture? Who am I without chemsex? That's a big question. The drug gave you an identity. The party guy, the one who's always down, the one who can handle it. You know, without the drug, you have to face the question that you've been running from since you were a kid. Who am I actually? The question is terrifying. It's also the only question that matters, because on the other side of it is the person you haven't met yet, and he's waiting for you. I want you to comment me below if you've ever asked yourself that question. You're not the only one.
