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

Why You Are Addicted To M*th

7 May 2025 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

1:36

In this YouTube monologue, Dallas Bragg explains that many individuals struggle to quit chemsex because their addiction is fundamentally linked to an intimacy disorder—a difficulty forming genuine emotional connections that often stems from unsafe early‑life experiences. He describes how chemsex drugs create artificial feelings of openness, connection, and reduced inhibition, providing a temporary escape from the pain of emotional disconnection. Over time, reliance on these substances hampers the development of authentic intimacy skills, making sober connection increasingly challenging. Bragg emphasizes that true recovery must address both the substance use and the underlying intimacy disorder, recommending trauma‑informed therapy, support, and coaching. He ends on a hopeful note, asserting that with proper help, people can learn to experience deeper, authentic intimacy without chemicals.

Chapters

All right, so one of the reasons you find it difficult to quit chemsex is because your addiction is rooted in an intimacy disorder. Intimacy disorders involve a difficulty forming genuine emotional connections with others. They typically develop from early life experiences where vulnerability felt unsafe. Chemsex can become a way to bypass these intimacy barriers. You see, the drugs create artificial feelings of connection, openness, and reduced inhibition that that many users struggle to access naturally. So what makes this connection so powerful is that the drugs don't just enhance physical pleasure, they temporarily relieve the emotional pain of disconnection. So unlike traditional substance use disorders, the primary addiction in chemsex often isn't the chemicals themselves, but to the temporary escape from intimacy fears that they provide. So many people who engage in chemsex describe feeling present and feeling connected, right, while high. Feelings they struggle to experience when they're sober. But over time, it creates a dangerous pattern because emotional intimacy skills, they stop developing because of misuse, making it increasingly difficult to connect without the substances. True recovery requires addressing both substance use and the underlying intimacy disorder through trauma-informed therapy and support and coaching. But the good news is, with proper support, people can learn to experience genuine connection without chemical assistance, and they often discover deeper and more authentic intimacy than they've ever, ever known. It is worth it.