Open help menu
In Person
The Chemsex Recovery Summit: Breathe Life Healing Centers / La Fuente Hollywood / No Matter What Recovery

The Role of The Fantasy and The Chase in Chemsex Practices

Valerio Iovino, LAADC, ASAT
|

Pricing

Information

Date & Time

Description

This course examines the role of fantasy and the “chase” in chemsex practices, focusing on how these patterns drive compulsive pursuit of stimulation. Participants will explore how fantasy activates the brain’s reward system, reinforcing cycles of use while diminishing awareness of consequences. The training also looks at how repeated overstimulation impacts the prefrontal cortex, reducing impulse control and decision-making capacity. Attendees will gain a neurobehavioral understanding of why these cycles are difficult to interrupt and how they present in treatment settings.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify at least three ways fantasy-driven thinking reinforces compulsive behavior within chemsex practices.

  • Describe how activation of the brain’s reward system and impairment of the prefrontal cortex impact impulse control and risk assessment.

  • Apply at least two clinical strategies to interrupt the “chase” cycle and support improved decision-making in treatment settings.

Educational Goal

To increase understanding of how fantasy-driven thinking and the “chase” influence neurobiological and behavioral patterns in chemsex, and how these processes impact decision-making and risk awareness.

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.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Sero Mental Health: Breathe Life Healing Center