29. YHZ Resilience-Pt. 1 — Hey Steven & James

Halifax host Andrew opens a challenging yet necessary conversation with guests Steven and James, focusing on the intersection of chemsex, consent, and sexual trauma. Steven, five years into recovery, shares how early experiences of sexual abuse created a "gateway" not just to substance use, but to a pattern of seeking out sexual encounters as a way to regain a sense of control. He describes how substances became tools to facilitate intimacy yet ultimately led to reliving past traumas. James explains how substances lowered his inhibitions enough to express desires that were often self-destructive, rooted in a deep sense of unworthiness. The discussion highlights specificities of the Halifax scene, where an interconnected community means that encounters aren't truly anonymous, leading to the reality of potentially encountering people with personal connections in vulnerable settings.   If you’re looking for support, please explore our list of Chemsex resources/services.