EP 2:42 Loneliness is a Gift with Phil Artwork

The AfterMeth: Gay Men Recovering from Crystal Methamphetamine and Chemsex Addiction

Vision:

To eradicate crystal meth addiction and chemsex misuse, especially among the gay male population.

Mission:

Using the power of social media, The AfterMeth will increase awareness around the characteristics and effects of crystal meth and chemsex on the community of men who have sex with men, provide stories of hope to inspire struggling users and produce a repository of tools to be used by the loved ones of men who want to break free from the addictive patterns of chemsex.

Join Dr. Dallas Bragg every other week. You can find The AfterMeth Podcast anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts. Find answers to:

How can I stop relapsing?
How can I heal my addiction?
How does crystal meth addiction affect gay men?
How can I get sober?

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The AfterMeth: Gay Men Recovering from Crystal Methamphetamine and Chemsex Addiction

EP 2:42 Loneliness is a Gift with Phil

January 01, 2026 • Season 2 • Episode 42

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Supplemental Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/lonelinessgift

In this essential episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg welcomes Phil McAuliffe, founder of Humans:Connecting and The Loneliness Guy to explore one of the top reasons gay men relapse in recovery from crystal meth addiction: loneliness. Phil reframes loneliness as a vital signal—like hunger or thirst—that our connection needs aren't being met, rather than a problem to fix or numb through scrolling, using, or other distractions. He introduces the powerful concept that admitting loneliness is akin to saying "I feel unworthy of love and belonging," which explains why men often won't acknowledge their loneliness until after they've relapsed. The conversation dismantles common platitudes like "you're not alone" and "just put yourself out there," revealing how these well-meaning responses often miss the mark and why loneliness carries such debilitating stigma in our community.

Phil shares his framework of the "three pillars of connection"—connection to self, connection to those most important to you, and connection to community—emphasizing that meaningful connection requires showing up authentically rather than wearing masks or performing competence. He introduces the critical insight that loneliness "dances in a trio" with shame and trauma, meaning addressing loneliness often requires courage to examine these deeper wounds. Practical tools discussed include owning loneliness through language ("I'm experiencing loneliness" versus "I'm lonely"), getting relentlessly curious rather than judgmental, asking for consent before sharing your loneliness with others, and committing to six months of persistence when trying new connection activities. The episode reinforces that recovery work—whether from addiction or loneliness—takes time, effort, and patience, but ultimately, you are worth it.

Find Phil here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-mcauliffe/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humans_connecting/

Connection Resolutions Download: https://www.humansconnecting.org/downloads/connection-resolutions

Connection Starter Course: https://www.humansconnecting.org/connection-starter-course

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