Dallas Bragg explains how denial in chemsex works as a survival strategy, minimizing problems and comparing yourself to others worse off. But denial breaks down when the damage piles up: G-outs, money gone, loneliness, paranoia, physical decline. Then you have to grieve what you've lost or keep lying to yourself.
Denial is the belief that you can sustain the chemsex life indefinitely without the consequence. It is the voice that's minimizing the problems. It is the voice that compares your using to other guys who may be way worse, setting you up to look different or like— but this is not— denial is not stupidity. Denial is survival. Your brain is protecting you. From a truth that you're not ready to face yet. But denial also has an expiration date. 'Cause at some point, the evidence becomes undeniable. The G-outs that stack up, the money disappears, the loneliness deepens. Even in a room full of guys, the paranoia sets in, the body breaks down. Then you have a choice. Keep denying or finally admit that this is costing you something you cannot afford to lose. And that is when the grief begins.
