Queerty — LGBTQ+ — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 18:00:00 +0000
Summary
Queerty readers shared personal accounts of overcoming addictions to alcohol, drugs, smoking, pornography, dating apps, and even people-pleasing. Several said they quit drinking cold turkey, with one Florida man explaining that saying "I don't drink" felt more empowering than "I quit," while a San Fernando Valley reader described tapering off gradually over five years. A reader in South America credited a three-month rehab stay at age 32, along with faith and education, for his recovery from weed and alcohol addiction, and a California man said an unexpected inheritance let him leave San Francisco and quit meth, remaining clean for 32 years. Others reported beating porn addiction by blocking websites, quitting smoking cold turkey after patches and hypnosis failed, and deleting dating apps in favor of meeting people in person.
Being stuck in the throes of addiction can make someone feel powerless. But nothing is more empowering than breaking the cycle.
That’s why we asked Queerty readers to share how they persevered through dark times.
In this space, we often ask about whimsical subjects like speedos and steamy rendezvous–and there’s plenty more where that came from. But this week, we decided to get vulnerable.
We are heartened by the responses.
How about we take this to the next level?
Several people shared their most personal stories about alcoholism, drug addiction, sex addiction and smoking. There were also tales of emotional addictions, such as cycling through the apps and chasing unavailable boys.
Once we wire our brains to chase dopamine, it can be hard to sit in silence. But after enough practice, we find peace–or at least something approaching it.
Here’s what Queerty readers had to say about a very sensitive subject…
Alcohol. I simply stopped; that’s it, just decided I was not going to drink again. No AA meetings, no therapy, no need to talk about it. I also found that saying I quit wasn’t helpful. Instead I said, “I don’t drink.” It felt more affirmative and not as if I was depriving myself of something. Believe you have the strength and you shall. As Nike’s slogan goes: “Just Do It!” — Craig in St. Petersburg, Florida
I went to rehab. Stayed for three months. I was addicted to weed and was abusing alcohol. My time there was not the best, management was terrible towards the men, but I studied the steps, leaned on God as i understood her/him and endured my time in there. I observed the others that were struggling, some twice my age, some half my age. I was 32 at the time. Some people escaped the place, gave up on themselves, some families came for their relatives early. My family struggled on how to approach recovery, some made it worse. I got myself into university after rehab and I have been stable ever since.
It’s been four years, I started my masters, finished my diploma and degree. I still feel the same in some ways, a lot of anger, still patient, but I am less isolated and scared to make relationships with people I am around. I live in a country where being gay is a crime and so there are still some struggles I endure. I see my education, relationship with God and new friends that I made along the way as a helping hand to my future and I appreciate it and them all. Sorry for how I write. But for anyone struggling, you are not alone, many of us are out here, cheering you on and willing to listen. Life is worth trying sober and never give up on yourself. — Chucky in South America
I looked in a well-lit bathroom mirror. Back in the 1990s, I was, for all accounts, an alcoholic. I only drank to excess. I was at a bar, The Golden Arrow, in St. Petersburg, Florida, drinking to excess as usual. It was less than a mile from my apartment at that time. I DROVE home and went into my bathroom. When I turned the light on and looked in the mirror, the face staring back at me scared the the crap out of me. I looked like a cadaver without an makeup! I stared long and hard at my image. I swore to stop my nightly excesses then and there, and for the most part, I did.
Today, I enjoy a martini every now and then, a glass of wine, and with it being summer, a glass of Guinness once in a while. But for the most part, the days of excess ended. — Rad in Rhode Island
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I just stopped drinking. I was open about it all, but I got tired of the hangovers. — Barry in Orlando, Florida
I quit cold turkey. — Scott in Richmond, Virginia
It started in increments: first during weekdays, then whole weeks. I was gentle with myself and didn’t try to conquer my addiction to alcohol in a single time frame. Five years later, I am sober, and enjoying life with clear eyes. — Peter in the San Fernando Valley
With a miracle. That’s how I stopped. I am a recovered addict; clean for 32 years in October.
I started doing meth after a bad break-up. It began as once in a while, then every weekend, then, after about three years, it started going to work with me.
When the people I “partied” with started smoking crack, I freaked out, and realized how low I had fallen. I didn’t smoke crack, but I remember laying in bed, coming down from meth, telling myself I was disgusting because of my habit. I started crying (wailing, really), and I vowed that I would have to get away from those people, from San Francisco, and that lifestyle.
That very next morning, a will came in the mail, from a friend who had recently passed. I called the executor of the will, found out how much I was getting, and when. To make a long story shorter, I got some cash from friends and family, until I got my funds to repay them. I quit cold turkey, and was out of the situation in less than two weeks, and have been clean ever since. I was so determined that I didn’t even have withdrawal. I was done.
I now live where I grew up, and haven’t looked back. It made me believe in miracles. — Robert in Fort Bragg, California
## Related*
After patches, gum and hypnosis, I quit smoking cold turkey. — Mike in Western New York
Got over my prn addiction by simply blocking the sites from my laptop/phone. It lead to me having longer and more passionate orgasms, staying hard longer, and becoming more open to men.— Yionis in Brooklyn, New York
Gave up the sex/dating apps, and just started meeting people in person at the bars and clubs. The physical interaction gave me a huge boost, whereas on Grindr/Scruff/etc, no one was biting or sending me any messages. I noticed that people approached me more in person than online on the apps. — Ryan in Staten Island, New York
My addiction was pleasing people. And then one day, I just did it. I built up the courage and said, “No.” From that point forward, I promised I was going to honor my values and my morals, no matter how badly they disappointed others. Now, I am so much lighter. — Dave in Ottawa, Canada
Original article: https://www.queerty.com/gay-people-reveal-how-they-broke-their-worst-addictions-20260829/ Source: Queerty