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The Chemsex Recovery Summit: Breathe Life Healing Centers / La Fuente Hollywood / No Matter What Recovery

Valerio Iovino, LAADC, ASAT
Rory Hunter, LPCC, LMFT
Mell McCracken, CADC II, ASAT, RAE
David Fawcett, PHD, LCSW, CSAT
Kathy Watt
Desiree Martinez Sales, MSW
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Description

The Chemsex Recovery Summit is a one-day educational event focused on the clinical, community, & public-health impacts of chemsex. This summit is a collaborative effort between Breathe Life Healing Centers, La Fuente Hollywood, & No Matter What Recovery. It will center evidence-informed approaches to chemsex, with attention to clinical assessment, treatment engagement, trauma & long-term recovery outcomes.

This one-day training event brings together leading voices in chemsex treatment, recovery, and public health to provide a comprehensive, evidence-informed exploration of sexualized substance use and its clinical implications. Designed for behavioral health and medical professionals, the program examines chemsex through multiple lenses—including neurobiology, trauma, identity, and community impact.

Across sessions, participants will explore current trends in chemsex practices, including the psychological drivers of fantasy and the “chase,” and how these dynamics reinforce compulsive cycles through the brain’s reward system. The training also offers a deep dive into sexualized drug use, highlighting how substances intersect with arousal, attachment, and relational functioning, while contributing to shame, identity fragmentation, and challenges in recovery.

Grounded in trauma-informed, sex-positive, and harm reduction frameworks, the event equips attendees with practical strategies for assessment, treatment planning, and long-term recovery support. The program culminates in a panel discussion examining the evolving relationship between HIV and chemsex, emphasizing modern prevention advances, ongoing stigma, and the need for more adaptive, realistic models of care.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this presentation is to increase awareness and clinical competency with chemsex affected clients.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Valerio Iovino, LAADC, ASAT
Valerio Iovino, LAADC, ASAT has many outstanding qualifications in the field of psychology, those include: a LAADC (Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor), a ASAT (Associate Sex Addiction Therapist) as well as a Doctor of Psychology in his native country, Italy. Valerio also has a master’s degree in human resources with a specialization in employee counseling. With over a decade of experience, Valerio has had the opportunity to work in the field of addiction counseling, program development, and career counseling. His work has brought him into close collaboration with individuals from various backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures. His extensive skill set encompasses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), relapse prevention, crisis intervention, grief and loss counseling, and specialized training as a sober coach. Valerio specializes in assisting clients facing a range of challenges, including mental health issues, homelessness, those affected by HIV (PLHIV), and individuals dealing with substance use disorders, including sex addiction and "ChemSex" (engaging in sexual activity under the influence of drugs). Driven by a passion for providing exceptional client care, Valerio leverages his diverse experience to create tailored programs, activities, and goals that not only support clients in their journey to recovery but also empower them to realize their aspirations and fulfill their life expectations.
Rory Hunter, LPCC, LMFT
Rory Hunter, LPCC, LMFT, is Clinical Director of La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center. He drives the mission across its spectrum of clinical services, including detox, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and family programs. He is responsible for oversight of all clinical activities, including day-to-day operations, treatment protocols, governmental compliance, staff management and training, the development of LGTBQIA2S+-specific curriculum, and direct crisis intervention with clients. He also works with La Fuente senior management on strategic planning, new program launches, and performance improvement. Originally from the UK, Rory started at La Fuente in 2021, was promoted to Clinical Lead in 2022 and then to Clinical Director in 2023. Rory’s expertise in substance abuse is complemented by in-depth knowledge of co-occurring mental health disorders, particularly sexual compulsion, which is often inextricably linked with drug use among gay men. He is a vocal social justice advocate for marginalized communities, previously serving as Therapist at the Southern California Counseling Center, which provides low-cost mental health services to economically disadvantaged populations and working at a specialized school for children with autism. With a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Rory is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). He is also currently working towards his Certified Sex Addiction Therapist credential and is currently a CSAT Candidate. He also runs his own private psychotherapy practice.
Mell McCracken, CADC II, ASAT, RAE
Mell McCracken CADC II, ASAT, RACS is the National Director of Chemsex and LGBT+ Programs at No Matter What Recovery, serving as the administrative leader of the clinical treatment program and overseeing programming for our sexualized drug use track. Mell is nationally and internationally recognized as an LGBT+ educator, co-author, and treatment provider. They also serve as faculty member at the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Specialists. They are committed to uplifting voices and breaking stigmas, one conversation at a time, and have spent their career fighting for inclusivity and empowerment through chemsex education and LGBT+ activism.
David Fawcett, PHD, LCSW, CSAT
David Fawcett PhD, CST, CSAT is a psychotherapist and sex therapist who specializes in sexualized drug use, LGBTQ issues, and trauma and mental health concerns related to physical illness. He is the author of “Lust, Men and Meth: A Gay Man’s Guide to Sex and Recovery” which explores the intersection of gay men, drug use, and high-risk sex and is the author of the Sex Under the Influence: Understanding and Healing from Sexualized Drug Use. His most receent book is Lust, Men and Meth: A Study Guide which not only provides not a variety of reflective questions but an update on the original book, as well. He co-created the residential treatment program for sex, porn and chemsex addiction at Seeking Integrity and is the Executive Producer of two documentaries about chemsex. He is on the IITAP faculty for the Rainbow Advocates training program. He serves on various boards and consults with organizations in the US and Europe on clinical practices and guidelines for substance misuse and mental health. In addition to chemsex-related videos via he operates a chemsex support channel (davidfawcettchemsex) on TikTok,, Instagram and other platforms.
Kathy Watt
Desiree Martinez Sales, MSW
Desiree Sales, MSW, ACSW, is a therapist at CRI-Help who provides compassionate, client-centered care to individuals experiencing substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and is an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW), bringing both academic training and clinical experience in behavioral health treatment settings. She is committed to supporting individuals in recovery by helping clients develop insight, strengthen coping skills, and build stability in their lives. Her clinical approach is grounded in empathy, structure, and evidence-based practices, while maintaining respect for each client’s lived experience and autonomy. In her role at CRI-Help, she serves diverse populations impacted by addiction, trauma, incarceration, and systemic challenges. She is dedicated to empowering clients to build resilience and work toward sustainable recovery and improved overall well-being.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Sero Mental Health: Breathe Life Healing Center