The AfterMeth: Gay Men Recovering from Crystal Methamphetamine Addiction

• EP 2:16: F*ck Like a P*rn Star AfterMeth with Jayson Parker

  Send us a textSupplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/jaysonIn this episode of The AfterMeth podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Jayson Parker, a successful adult content creator who transformed his relationship with sex and intimacy after overcoming methamphetamine addiction. This raw, honest conversation explores one of recovery's most challenging topics: rebuilding a healthy sex life after meth.What You'll Learn:The Journey from Addiction to Recovery:• How religious trauma and shame led to meth as an "escape"• The moment when your heart changes but your body keeps using• Why Jason took a 3-year break from dating apps (and why it worked)• The power of saying "for now" instead of "never"Rebuilding Your Relationship with Sex:• How to grieve the loss of your addiction without demonizing it• The difference between performance and authentic connection• Why "sober sex is better" isn't about physical sensation• Navigating triggers, orgies, and high-risk situations in recoveryPractical Recovery Strategies:• The importance of radical self-honesty and vulnerability• Building a support network of sexually liberated people in recovery• How to know when you're ready to return to dating apps• Creating accountability systems that actually workBreaking Stigma:• Why you can't hate yourself into a new life• The surprising reality of drug use in the porn industry• How connection truly is the opposite of addictionKey Takeaways:"You can't shame yourself into compliance with a new way of life. You can't hate yourself into a new life.""I had to look at what positive things came from my addiction... I got wonderful gifts that I probably would never have gotten. And yet, this thing cannot be in my life anymore.""The only way to have sex in recovery is to have sex in recovery."About Jayson Parker:Jayson Parker is a successful adult content creator who quit his job as a money laundering investigator to pursue porn full-time. Born and raised Mormon in Utah, he overcame religious trauma, meth addiction, and sexual shame to build a thriving career in adult entertainment. He's an ambassador for Sniffies and Mr. S Leather, and is organizing the first-ever Pepper Diet Academy conference focused on sex, intimacy, and relationships in recovery.X: jaysonparker801IG: jaysonparker_801Resources Mentioned:• Pepper Diet Academy Conference: August 7-10, 2025    ◦ Website: pepperdietacademy.org    ◦ Focus: Sex, intimacy, and relationships in recovery    ◦ Includes workshops, clothing-optional activities, and safe spaces for sexual explorationContent Warning:This episode contains frank discussions about sex, drug use, and adult content. ListThe AfterMeth: Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/ Dr. Dallas Bragg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdallasbragg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drdallasbragg YouTube: The Aftermeth Podcast X: https://twitter.com/Drdallasbragg Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

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• EP 2:15 Reinventing Yourself AfterMeth with Evan

  Send us a textSupplementary Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/reinventionIn this episode of The AfterMeth podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg welcomes Evan Lunt, a chemistry professor and drag queen who completely reinvented his life after methamphetamine addiction. This conversation provides a practical roadmap for anyone looking to reclaim their identity and build a new life in recovery.What You'll Learn:The Power of Geographic Change:• Why Evan chose treatment in a completely new city (Asheville, NC)• How starting fresh with no connections can accelerate recovery• The difference between running away from problems vs. strategic relocation• Why "wherever you go, there you are" doesn't always applyBuilding Community Intentionally:• How meth provided instant community - and why that's a key need to address• Forcing yourself into uncomfortable social situations (and why it works)• The importance of "hitting the ground running" with job, friends, and purpose• Why social interaction is a learned skill that requires practiceLeaning Into Discomfort:• How discomfort became Evan's compass for growth• Taking strategic breaks from triggering activities (drag, teaching, dating)• Why bad sex was exactly what he needed in early recovery• The importance of building resilience before taking on stressProfessional Recovery:• Navigating a career in chemistry while recovering from meth addiction• Taking a "step down" job (hardware store) to rebuild basic life skills• When and how to return to high-stress professions• Building responsibility gradually rather than rushing backDrag Performance in Recovery:• The reality of drug use in drag culture and nightlife scenes• Transitioning from "messy queen" to professional performer• Creating sober drag families and communities• Finding your niche (brunch vs. nighttime shows)Sexual Recovery and Relationships:• Taking 18 months off from sex and dating• How sex work during addiction complicated sexual identity• Learning what you actually like vs. what addiction taught you• The importance of bad sexual experiences in recoveryConnect with Evan:• Instagram: @theonlysevThe AfterMeth: Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/ Dr. Dallas Bragg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdallasbragg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drdallasbragg YouTube: The Aftermeth Podcast X: https://twitter.com/Drdallasbragg Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

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• EP 2:14 Working With Energy AfterMeth with Craig

  Send us a textSupplementary Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/energyIn this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Craig Brucato, a certified professional life coach and former meth user, to explore what comes after abstinence from meth - and how to get unstuck when recovery feels mundane or directionless.What You'll Learn:The "Now What?" DilemmaWhy many people feel stuck after completing traditional recovery programsHow to move from surviving sobriety to thriving in lifeThe difference between being clean and being truly recoveredThe Seven Levels of EnergyCraig introduces the IPEC Energy Leadership framework, explaining how we operate at different energy levels throughout the day - from victim energy (Level 1) to oneness with the universe (Level 7). Learn how to identify which level you're operating from and how to shift upward.Transforming Your Relationship with UrgesWhy the thought "I want to use" is actually valuable informationHow to examine thoughts without judgmentPractical questions to ask yourself when cravings hitBuilding Natural Life Force EnergyThree key components for raising your energy naturally:Physical: Exercise and body careMental/Spiritual: Meditation and quiet reflectionCommunity: Connection and service to othersBeyond the ShameCraig shares his personal journey from teenage meth use through chem sex addiction to becoming a successful life coach, proving that your past can become your purpose.Key Takeaways:Recovery isn't just about stopping drug use - it's about creating the life you actually wantYou can choose your energy level and emotional response to any situationThe same drive that led to addiction can be channeled into creating an extraordinary lifeYour darkest experiences can become your greatest giftsPerfect for anyone who's gotten clean but still feels something is missing, or those supporting someone in long-term recovery.Connect with Craig: Find him on Facebook at "The Rising Rainbow" or visit his website for energy coaching services.Contact Craig here: [email protected] AfterMeth: Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/ Dr. Dallas Bragg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdallasbragg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drdallasbragg YouTube: The Aftermeth Podcast X: https://twitter.com/Drdallasbragg Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

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• EP 2:13 Storytelling in Recovery with Ed

  Send us a textFind the supplemental study guide for this episode here: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/storytellingIn this episode of the AfterMeth Podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg welcomes artist and writer Ed Firth for a rich conversation about the intersection of addiction recovery, creative expression, and queer identity. Known for his graphic novels that candidly explore the chemsex scene among men who have sex with men, Ed shares how storytelling became both a survival strategy and a source of healing.       Together, Dr. Bragg and Ed examine the transformative power of narrative—how art and personal storytelling can help individuals process trauma, reconnect with themselves, and build community. They explore how graphic novels and other creative forms offer a unique way to engage serious topics like addiction, intimacy wounds, and sexual reintegration during recovery.      This episode emphasizes that recovery is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Whether through writing, art, or open conversation, self-expression can be a vital tool for healing. Dr. Bragg and Ed make a compelling case for using creativity not just as a therapeutic outlet, but as a bridge to deeper self-understanding and collective connection.Ed Firth is an East London artist and writer known for his Pound Shop zine cycle and the acclaimed Horny & High anthology comic series, which explores British chemsex subculture among gay men in 2010s London. His work has gained significant recognition, with Vol 1 shortlisted for the Myriad First Graphic Novel Competition and praised by queer comics legend Ralf König, while Vol 2 earned acclaim from Attitude magazine for its powerful portrayal of addiction and comedown experiences.Beyond his graphic novels, Firth's autobiographical comic The Lift placed second in the Observer/Faber & Faber Graphic Short Story competition in 2022, and he was named one of Broken Frontier's "Six To Watch" emerging creators in 2023. His Horny & High series is now available internationally through German publisher Salzgeber Buchverlage and US publisher Northwest Press, while he continues working on volume 3 alongside portrait commissions, running East London Life Drawing, and volunteering as a Support Keyworker for Controlling Chemsex.You can reach / connect with Ed via:https://typ0.bigcartel.com/contactThe AfterMeth: Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/ Dr. Dallas Bragg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdallasbragg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drdallasbragg YouTube: The Aftermeth Podcast X: https://twitter.com/Drdallasbragg Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

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• Ep 2:12 EMDR Therapy AfterMeth with Drake

  Send us a textSupplemental study guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/EMDRIn this episode of the AfterMeth Podcast, Dr. Dallas Bragg and Drake Schoeppl explore the deep connection between trauma, addiction recovery, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. Drawing from both clinical expertise and lived experience, Drake explains how EMDR can help individuals move beyond abstinence and toward lasting emotional healing. They unpack how low self-esteem, intimacy wounds, and limiting belief systems often drive patterns of crystal meth use, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Rather than framing addiction as a moral failure, Dr. Bragg highlights how unprocessed trauma and emotional disconnection lie at the heart of substance use. EMDR therapy offers a way to safely reprocess these experiences and begin to rebuild trust in oneself. The episode also touches on the importance of stabilization and grounding before trauma work begins, the role of curiosity in navigating triggers, and the value of individualized treatment. Dr. Bragg and Drake stress that recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that healing starts with being met where you are, without shame. Whether you're exploring EMDR as a therapy option or seeking a deeper understanding of trauma-informed recovery, this conversation offers both practical guidance and hope for change.  About Drake Schoeppl, LCSW  Drake Schoeppl, LCSW, is a licensed therapist practicing in both Florida and Illinois. He brings years of experience supporting individuals dealing with PTSD, depression, anxiety, complex trauma, addiction, relational issues, and those within the LGBTQ+ community. Drake takes a holistic, trauma-informed approach to therapy and emphasizes the importance of culture in the healing process. Throughout his career, Drake has served in a variety of roles, including as a crisis therapist responding to 911 mental health calls, a clinician on an inpatient psychiatric unit, a therapist in a substance use rehabilitation center, and in supportive work with LGBTQ+ youth, young adults, and their families. His diverse background informs a compassionate, culturally responsive, and client-centered practice. You can access Drake Schoeppl’s website with resources and connect with Drake using the following links: https://ignitinghope.infohttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/drake-schoeppl-chicago-il/818141The AfterMeth: Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/ Dr. Dallas Bragg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdallasbragg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdallasbragg/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drdallasbragg YouTube: The Aftermeth Podcast X: https://twitter.com/Drdallasbragg Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

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About The AfterMeth: Gay Men Recovering from Crystal Methamphetamine Addiction