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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?
The AfterMeth: Gay Men Recovering from Crystal Methamphetamine and Chemsex Addiction
EP 3:4 Chemsex Alchemy: Turning Misery into Mission with Darren
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Study Guide: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog/posts/misery
In this powerful episode of The AfterMeth Podcast, Dallas sits down with Darren Murphy, a chemsex specialist practitioner at Forward Leeds Drug and Alcohol Service in the UK, whose journey from crystal meth addiction and drug dealing to frontline recovery work is nothing short of remarkable. Darren opens up about a life shaped by early trauma, undiagnosed ADHD, and a desperate search for the contentment that chemsex drugs provided — a chemical solution to years of self-loathing, emotional abuse, and the painful experience of navigating his gay identity. His story reaches its turning point when a prison sentence for drug trafficking becomes, in his words, the universe giving him what he needed rather than what he wanted — and a pivotal cup of sugary tea becomes the moment he promises himself to turn misery into meaning.
Dallas and Darren explore the distinction between needing to quit and truly wanting to — a framework that resonates deeply for gay men caught in the cycle of chemsex use. Darren shares how his prison rehabilitation, a chance encounter with the Samaritans, and the mentorship of a skilled drugs worker ignited his path toward becoming the first dedicated chemsex support specialist in Leeds. The conversation also offers listeners a practical look at the person-centered, trauma-informed, wraparound care model at Forward Leeds — from harm reduction QR codes in LGBT venues to flexible outreach within the community. Dallas bridges this for U.S. listeners by encouraging them to use this model as a template for asking better questions when seeking help. Both men reflect on the profound truth that chemsex gave them temporary permission to be who they always wanted to be — and how real recovery is the work of becoming that person without the chemical shortcut.
Find Darren Here:
Instagram: @Darren_Murphy46
LinkedIn: Darren Murphy
Organisation Instagram: @forwardleeds
Website: https://www.forwardleeds.co.uk/advice/chemsex-and-being-safer/
The AfterMeth:
Join our Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaftermeth/
Dallas Bragg
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YouTube: The Aftermeth Podcast
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Free online course to End the Relapse Cycle: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout
Meth-Free Blueprint EBOOK: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/o8qFhK5i/checkout
