Sex / Pornography Addiction Support Group
Sexual addiction, also sometimes called sexual compulsion, is a form of psychological addiction to sexual intercourse and other sexual behavior.
Sexual addiction, also sometimes called sexual compulsion, is a form of psychological addiction to sexual intercourse and other sexual behavior.
I have attended two different 12 step fellowships. In one fellowship, there was widespread fear of other members, based on the notion that other members might be a potential trigger for relapse. In the other fellowship, there was unconditional love, (including across the sexes). My experience in the first fellowship was that I got no recovery, and no substantial period of abstinence. However, in the second fellowship, I learned that seeing women as potential sexual partners was not what I really wanted to do. I would rather have females as supports for my recovery. I was able to accumulate almost 5 years of continuous abstinence in the 2nd program.
In both programs, there was a high rate of relapse. The chances of someone relapsing are much greater than their chances of recovering. So I'm not going to suggest that if you husband frequents a site where there is unconditional love for all members regardless of gender, that he will get recovery. I apologize for being negative, but statistically, he probably won't get recovery. But I will suggest that avoiding people of the opposite sex doesn't work as a strategy for sex addicts. An addict, any addict, that is hell bent on getting his "fix", will figure out a way to achieve their goal, and artificial barriers won't stop him. On the other hand, avoiding people of the opposite sex, does not help one to learn healthy attitudes towards those of the opposite sex, but rather reinforces the idea that the most significant attribute of that person is their potential as a sexual or romantic partner. That's just my $.02, and as I said before, feel free to take what you want and leave the rest..
--Peter
The women who post such photos, "obviously" have some problems of their own. They objectify themselves. Likely, without even realizing their mindset. Any healthy person would know that. Someday, they might even "get it."
You said that your h, " has a curiosity of looking at the females pictures that are posted in this site. I am guessing it is turning him on and in hopes that one day he could meet up with another SA." So, where does the problem lay? In him. He has a problem with objectifying women. He isn't much interested in "who" they are...what they think...what they feel...what their problems are....but "what" they are. And what is that? Another tool, a thing, for his fantasies. I'm sure in the right circumstances a plastic or wooden image will do. Why? He has an unhealthy mindset. And, until he corrects his own thinking, there will be bgillions of places to ogle and fantasize...any advertising agency will oblige. Because they feed on unhealthy mindsets.
Does he know what you think about it? Does it matter to him what you think about it? Is he concerned with your feelings...the dynamics of the relationship...or does it seem like you're just another image or thing to meet his particular needs? Is it that their feelings don't matter, and neither do yours? I think that the problem is that he isn't respecting you...or you feel he isn't. And, if he isn't...really....then "you" can choose to take action about your own feelings.
You can't remove the lustful temptations from the world, or from his mind. What can you do? You can take care of your own feelings. Because only "you" have control over what you tolerate and what you won't. Only you can take care of you. He can do anything he likes, but he can't prevent you from taking care of you.
My H indulged in porn. He didn't have a problem with it. I had a problem with it. So, whose feelings are the problem? Mine. And who has control over what I will tolerate, and what I won't...I do. So, I let him know that I don't feel good about that. He then had the right to choose whether or not he cares how I feel, and whether or not the relationship is more important than the lust. And, I let him choose...as is his right.
He chose to listen to how I feel about that, to care how I feel about that, and to stop doing hurtful things. Had he not chosen to do that...I still had a choice...to leave the relationship rather than be unhappy. My life. My choice.