Don Smith, Phillip Valentine, Sandy Valentine, Melvin Cabrera
rebecca@ccar.us (Ben Kaye, Connecticut Community For Addiction Recovery (CCAR))
The Chemsex Survivor Empowering LGBTQ Recovery
The Chemsex Survivor Empowering LGBTQ Recovery
The Chemsex Survivor Empowering LGBTQ Recovery
Tuesday 24th June 2025
Join Ben Kaye as he shares his journey from chemsex addiction to empowering LGBTQ+ recovery in this compelling podcast episode.
28 minutes
Inspiring
Authentic
Hopeful
Supportive
Raw
About this podcast
Author:
Don Smith, Phillip Valentine, Sandy Valentine, Melvin Cabrera
Overview:
Categories:
Recovery Reimagined
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Family Recovery from Addiction
Creative Recovery Journeys
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
185 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!From Chemsex to Recovery: Ben Kaye's Journey
Episode Overview
- Understanding chemsex and its impact on LGBTQ+ individuals.
- The role of escapism in substance use.
- Challenges faced during recovery from addiction.
- Importance of support networks in recovery.
- Rediscovering intimacy without substances.
"Remember why you want to stop and lean on the people that offer you their support."
Ever wondered what life is like after leaving behind a world of chemsex and addiction? This episode of the Recovery Matters! Podcast shines a light on Ben Kaye's inspiring journey from the depths of addiction to a thriving recovery. Ben, a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ recovery, shares his story of growing up in a loving home in the UK, only to face a tumultuous adolescence marked by his parents' divorce and his own struggle with substance use.
He candidly recounts how he fell into the hedonistic party scene of South London, embracing his identity as a gay man while battling addiction. Through laughter and tears, Ben opens up about the allure of chemsex and the dangerous spiral it led him into. He describes how substances became a means of escapism and euphoria, ultimately leading to a breakdown that forced him to confront his demons.
Ben's honesty is both refreshing and raw as he discusses the challenges of recovery, including learning to live without substances and finding intimacy without chemical enhancement. Listeners will be moved by Ben's resilience as he shares his experiences in treatment, his journey to becoming a therapist, and his commitment to supporting others in the LGBTQ+ community. His story is a testament to the power of recovery and the importance of feeling heard and supported.
If you're looking for an authentic account of transformation and hope, this episode is one you won't want to miss.