New member here, extremely hopeful.

[ReadytoQuit]

I am a young adult that has struggled with PA ever since I was around 13 and now 7 years I am still struggling. This past year it has had a stranglehold on my life where it has managed to kill all my ambitions, this last semester I felt like I could no longer concentrate on my school work and as a result I got the worst grades I have ever received. PA also has caused an incredible amount of harm in friendships and most of them have detiorated now because of it. I mostly look at P before I go to bed and has been this way for years. This year I have realized how dependent I am on it in order to sleep, and it's usually during this time at night when I turn off the light that I relapse. If anyone has tips on this I would be greatful to hear. This summer has been all about recovery for me, I have relapsed a lot but I am determined to overcome this! College is coming up and I want to be the best that I can be. I am an artist and I want to use all my time to think about art, not P. I want to form actual relationships with people. I have already installed a blocker and have revealed to my mom this problem in my life, I have given her the password and have been P clean for only 2 days now. I came across this site only 2 days ago and it has given me hope and inspiration to recover from a relapse, after the last one I was so negative and thought I would never recover, but after reading all of your posts it inspired me to try again. I hope to get support and one day support all of you as well, thank you for reading this.

[cyberpunk]

Good work so far and good luck. It may take time but I believe we can all overcome this in our lives.

I know for myself P tends to be a isolating drug. I don't have any real connections in my life and so I turn to P to fufill that need which in turn isolates me more. With that in mind my advice would be to focus on making some real connections with other people (and I mean in person not online). Try doing something nice for your mother or for a friend. Maybe you can take some time out of your day to try and make someone happy...I don't know just seek to make a connection with another person.

I heard a great quote the other day, it says "When I am in my own head, I am behind enemy lines!" So, get out of your head and connect.

[ReadytoQuit]

Thank you for the response, it means a lot to me even if it is just online. I just went for a run right now and I'm still very hopeful!

[StarPuppy]

Welcome to TTF, RtQ! o:-)

Its great to see that you taken that first step in becoming clean. We are a loving family that supports each other but we also have to be strict and show tough love such as reprimanding because we want you to be clean and support you for the road ahead is not easy but we do not want you to give up

Here some starting guide

1) Install K9 Web Protection
2) Start your own journal in the Recovery journal section
3) Find a buddy in TTF if you feel you need someone to confide to
4) Write down 1- Why you want to stop P, 2- The pros and cons of P

Good luck! :)

[artguy34]

Welcome to TTF...

"You have taken your first step in a much larger world." Actually I love that quote, it is so true for addicts of any kind.

You have made the first step and realized that you have a problem. Once you realize that, the healing can begin. However, instead of stating that you are hopeful, tell yourself you are determined.

Like you, I started at a young age, (younger than you actually) and it took me a nearly a lifetime and a lot of love to get on this road to recovery. There are no special tricks, pills or products to help you on this journey. Just your determination and willingness to do what it takes to succeed.

Knowledge... knowledge is power and the more knowledge you gain reading about Porn addiction, the stronger you will be to fight it.

I would recommend reading journals as stated above. I have read the journals of other PA's and from many SO's as well. It is sobering to see what SO's go through during this addiction.

You should also consider purchasing "The Porn Trap" by Wendy and Larry Waltz. You can purchase a copy on Amazon for around $12. This book really helped me understand what being a PA is all about and... it helped me see the damage I caused my wife and possibly others as well.

One last thing... just remember that there is no "one way" to recover from PA. Just find what works for you and stick with it.

Good Luck and I hope to see you around TTF.

AG