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

What’s been your experience with chemsex recovery? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

11 Aug 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:57

In this video, Dallas Bragg discusses the subtle but crucial difference between offering a reason and giving an excuse when reflecting on personal setbacks, particularly in the context of chemsex recovery. He explains that a reason stems from open curiosity and a factual, non‑judgmental examination of events (e.g., recognizing a trigger and a lack of tools), whereas an excuse originates from closed self‑condemnation and serves as a smokescreen that distracts from doing the necessary work. Bragg emphasizes that using reasons promotes honest self‑assessment and growth, while excuses reinforce negative self‑stories and hinder progress in recovery.

Chapters

So there are 2 things that sound the same. A reason and an excuse can be very difficult to distinguish. Both of them explain why the something happened, right? But they originate from completely different places. A reason is the product of open curiosity. An excuse is the product of closed condemnation. So when I offer a reason, I'm genuinely looking at what happened without judgment. Okay, I was triggered and I didn't have my tools ready. So, so let me, let me understand how that happened. Just the facts. When I offer an excuse, I'm not looking at anything. I'm accepting a story about myself and I'm hiding behind it. I was triggered and I'm not strong enough to say no because that's what I always do. Which, what that does, blows smoke. It's a smokescreen. Go look at how terrible I am so you can be distracted from telling me to do the actual work. And I'm distracting myself from doing the actual work.