David M Fawcett - Lust, Men, and Meth: A Gay Man’s Guide to Sex and Recovery

What Others Are Sayin g...

Clinicians who meet with gay clients wrestling with Tina know full well how difficult the zigzag path to recovery inevitably will be. Many clinicians are themselves tempted to throw up their hands in despair at the constantly recurring and seemingly insurmountable obstacles to regaining a full, intimacy-blessed life for their clients. Dr. Fawcett gives both therapists and clients a set of tools for deeper compassionate understanding and clear reasons for hopeful resolve to stay the course. His book is full of practical steps to achieve a healthy brain, a healthy sex life, and freedom from shame-based assumptions and life-limiting behaviors. Every therapist working in the LGBT community should have this rich resource close at hand.

James Lopresti, PhD, LMHC,
Senior Clinical Supervisor, SunServe,
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Powerful, interesting, and informative, Dr. Fawcett explores the complex and devastating effects of meth on gay male sexuality and relationships. Meth breaks down inhibition; it leaves the person open to breeching sexual templates and stepping deeper into dark areas of sexual behavior while maintaining full recall in the aftermath. He discusses how meth melds with sexuality and changes brain structure, leaving sexual dysfunction and emotional disturbance in its wake. I highly recommend this book.

George Kallas, PsyD, PhD,
Licensed Psychologist, Sex Therapist,
The Orion Center for Psychotherapy, Inc.,
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

In this eye-opening book, Fawcett deconstructs the social, mental health, and sexual cultures of gay men and the physical characteristics of methamphetamine addiction. By looking closer at these characteristics, one gains both an understanding for the seductive nature of addiction and a basis for a rational path forward.

Benjamin Young, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer,
International Association of Providers of AIDS Care
Washington, DC

Thank you, Dr. Fawcett for those who are gay men, who know gay men, who love gay men, who work with gay me n... a complex topic many want to avoid, deny, dance aroun d... you present with clarity and compassion. BRAVO!!!

Dr. Marilyn K. Volker, EdD,
Sexologist/Gender Specialist,
Miami, FL

In an era of unprecedented acceptance and visibility of gay lives, Dr. Fawcett has focused us on the private pain of gay men caught in an addictive spiral of sexual adventuring and methamphetamine use. Dr. Fawcett is an experienced clinician and researcher who writes in a sober but compassionate way about the medical and psychological risks meth users take to escape their own internalized homophobia, social, and sexual self-consciousness. He describes in vivid detail the drug high, the instant social confidence, and heightened sexual experiences users seek. As with most quick fixes, the relief is short-lived while the medical, mental health, and psycho-social consequences compound. In particular, he demonstrates how the strong link between meth use and sex has served to fuel continuing rates of new HIV infections. This is particularly chilling as this population is more likely to have multiple partners, ignore safer sex practices, and then be marginally compliant with HIV therapies. Rehabilitation of meth users is challenging and slow, but Dr. Fawcett makes an urgent case for redoubling efforts at providing comprehensive care for this cohort of men falling into greater isolation while a life of increasing possibilities pass them by.

Matthew Weissman, PhD,
Clinical Psychologist,
Washington, DC

Wow! As I read your book my mind was transported back to a place I had either forgotten, hoped to forget, or never remembered in the first place. The book is me. This book has an authenticity that only comes from years of working with people who have suffered at the hands of crystal meth. I needed to be reminded of the misery, pain, and sorrow that I brought upon myself as well as the hope of getting better. Any person who is struggling with a love affair with Tina needs to read this book! When it is released, I am going to ensure that we use this for literature readings, it is that powerful! Thank you so much for writing this and having compassion with those of us who oftentimes fail to have compassion with ourselves. This book WILL save lives.

Aaron Michael Laxton,
Activist and Writer,
St. Louis, MO

Lust, Men and Meth by David Fawcett, PhD

Published by

Healing Path Press
2312 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manors, Florida 33305

www.healingpathpress.com

Copyright 2016 by David Fawcett

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and
retrieval system without written permission from the publisher.

Disclaimer

This book is not intended as a substitute for psychotherapy or counseling, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any medical or psychological condition. The reader should regularly consult a physician or therapist in matters relating to his/her health and well-being. This book is designed to provide information, motivation, and guidance to its reader. The content of this book is the sole expression and opinion of its author. The author shall not be liable for any physical, psychological, emotional, or spiritual outcomes.

The names and personal details of any persons mentioned in this book
have been altered to protect their identity.

Publishers Cataloging-In-Publication Data
(Prepared by The Donohue Group, Inc.)

Fawcett, David, 1954

Lust, men, and meth : a gay mans guide to sex and recovery /
David Fawcett, PhD ; foreword by Mark S. King.

pages ; cm

Issued also as an ebook.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
isbn : 978-0-9962578-0-0

1. Methamphetamine abuse. 2. Gay menDrug use. 3. Gay menSexual
behavior. 4. Sex addiction. 5. Drug addictsRehabilitation. I. King,
Mark S. II. Title.

RC568.A45 F39 2015
616.860086642015906872

Editor: Gail M. Kearns, www.topressandbeyond.com
Cover Design: Diane McIntosh
Interior design by John McKercher/StudioXen
Book production coordinated by To Press & Beyond

Author photo: Howard Zucker; Cover photo: Dylan Rosser

Printed in the USA

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to Eddie Brown,
my best friend, life partner, husband and kindred spirit
whose unwavering support and enthusiasm
made this project possible.

Contents