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.
Hey all,
Just wanted to add another success story and insight to those who are struggling with their addictions and may need motivation.
I'm recently divorced as of November 12, 2014. The porn and masturbation wasn't the direct cause of it, but I do know it played a major role in the downfall of our marriage. I see many successful results in couples where there has been a problem with porn and masturbation. Unfortunately, in my situation, both of us were addicted. So neither of us had it in our power to give the other a wake up call. Both of us stopped caring and neither of us cared that we didn't care. Both of us grew unhappy, she made some regretful decisions, and we separated back in April.
This separation was my wake up call. I originally went about a month porn and masturbation free before relapsing. I was devastated. When I got back up in hopes to go longer, I only lasted a week. Then I was back to a couple times a week. I was ready to give up again.
Finally, after the night of July 3, I got fed up with my inabilities to stop the cycle. I always thought I could stop on my own, but I realized that there was no stopping on my own. And I didn't have anyone with me anymore that could be my support. So I joined Daily Strength and counciled with so many of you on this forum. I went to SA meetings hosted by the church I'm going to. I sought council with an ecclesiastical leader of my church. I followed the 12 step program. I did all I could to get all the support I could get. And I've made non-negotiable goals with myself and stuck with them.
I'm happy to say I'm a completely different person since that day. I've grown in confidence in ways that I never thought possible. I've lost 40 lbs, I have a good solid job, I've made friends and have found myself in social groups that I thought I would never fit into. My mind is clearer. I've been able to move on from my divorce more easily. I've started dating again. My mind stays out of the gutter. I can see women as people again, making it easier to associate with them.
I'm hopeful. Understanding. Charitable. Happy. Disciplined.
Last night I started watching taxi cab confessions. I didn't get too far into it as, in between scenes, it would cut to some club scenes and some nudity popped up. I turned it off in disgust. I doubt I would have been able to do that before and that it would have lead to other heinous acts.
I'm still progressing and I look forward to the benefits of staying free for the rest of my life. Because the freedom to choose is most precious. That freedom is always there, but, while in a vice, said freedom appears to be inaccessible.
Everyone must know what it takes to know how to use that freedom of choice to free your mind. It takes a lot of effort and discipline. You may feel like you'll tire yourself out before you can become successful, but you will not tire out as long as you keep trying. In fact, the act that you even decide to try in the first place is a success. You just need to keep succeeding in order to be successful.
Think of it like exercising. Those old guys that live to be 507 years old? They get to that age because they lead healthy lives and exercise. We, as human beings, are not like cars, where parts tire out the more you use them and eventually have to be replaced. We are a regenerative species and only get stronger when it feels like we are getting tired. Our bodies naturally fortify to endure more after enduring something.
So you may feel tired of trying, but don't give up. Keep exhausting your brain until it no longer needs to be exhausted. It will get easier. You will break out of the clouds and see the sun. No matter what storms rage in, the clouds may cover up the sunlight, but it doesn't mean the sun's not there. The sun is always there. You just need to keep remembering that you'll see it again. And when you do see it again, the glorious feelings you encounter will be yours for the keeping. And those feelings can aid to your motivation to make it through the storms over and over and over again, each time being easier than the last.
This is my message of hope for all of you. Stay strong. Stay disciplined. Stay free.
Thanks for reading.
Just wanted to add another success story and insight to those who are struggling with their addictions and may need motivation.
I'm recently divorced as of November 12, 2014. The porn and masturbation wasn't the direct cause of it, but I do know it played a major role in the downfall of our marriage. I see many successful results in couples where there has been a problem with porn and masturbation. Unfortunately, in my situation, both of us were addicted. So neither of us had it in our power to give the other a wake up call. Both of us stopped caring and neither of us cared that we didn't care. Both of us grew unhappy, she made some regretful decisions, and we separated back in April.
This separation was my wake up call. I originally went about a month porn and masturbation free before relapsing. I was devastated. When I got back up in hopes to go longer, I only lasted a week. Then I was back to a couple times a week. I was ready to give up again.
Finally, after the night of July 3, I got fed up with my inabilities to stop the cycle. I always thought I could stop on my own, but I realized that there was no stopping on my own. And I didn't have anyone with me anymore that could be my support. So I joined Daily Strength and counciled with so many of you on this forum. I went to SA meetings hosted by the church I'm going to. I sought council with an ecclesiastical leader of my church. I followed the 12 step program. I did all I could to get all the support I could get. And I've made non-negotiable goals with myself and stuck with them.
I'm happy to say I'm a completely different person since that day. I've grown in confidence in ways that I never thought possible. I've lost 40 lbs, I have a good solid job, I've made friends and have found myself in social groups that I thought I would never fit into. My mind is clearer. I've been able to move on from my divorce more easily. I've started dating again. My mind stays out of the gutter. I can see women as people again, making it easier to associate with them.
I'm hopeful. Understanding. Charitable. Happy. Disciplined.
Last night I started watching taxi cab confessions. I didn't get too far into it as, in between scenes, it would cut to some club scenes and some nudity popped up. I turned it off in disgust. I doubt I would have been able to do that before and that it would have lead to other heinous acts.
I'm still progressing and I look forward to the benefits of staying free for the rest of my life. Because the freedom to choose is most precious. That freedom is always there, but, while in a vice, said freedom appears to be inaccessible.
Everyone must know what it takes to know how to use that freedom of choice to free your mind. It takes a lot of effort and discipline. You may feel like you'll tire yourself out before you can become successful, but you will not tire out as long as you keep trying. In fact, the act that you even decide to try in the first place is a success. You just need to keep succeeding in order to be successful.
Think of it like exercising. Those old guys that live to be 507 years old? They get to that age because they lead healthy lives and exercise. We, as human beings, are not like cars, where parts tire out the more you use them and eventually have to be replaced. We are a regenerative species and only get stronger when it feels like we are getting tired. Our bodies naturally fortify to endure more after enduring something.
So you may feel tired of trying, but don't give up. Keep exhausting your brain until it no longer needs to be exhausted. It will get easier. You will break out of the clouds and see the sun. No matter what storms rage in, the clouds may cover up the sunlight, but it doesn't mean the sun's not there. The sun is always there. You just need to keep remembering that you'll see it again. And when you do see it again, the glorious feelings you encounter will be yours for the keeping. And those feelings can aid to your motivation to make it through the storms over and over and over again, each time being easier than the last.
This is my message of hope for all of you. Stay strong. Stay disciplined. Stay free.
Thanks for reading.
Confess your sins one to another SO THAT you may be healed. Makes alot of sense now doesn't it :)