An online count of time without P.

[Determined]

Hi
I haven't posted here before, but I've been struggling with my addiction for a very long time. It is now destroying my relationship with my wonderful gf and I've tried everything I can think of to stop.
I came up with the idea to use this thread as a posting ground to keep track of time without P. Before tonight it was about 2 weeks. Unfortunately the count stands at about an hour or so now. So I need to get this posted and get this count started. I need to prove to myself that I can control it.

So that's about it really. I'm feeling pretty down and self-loathing at the moment and it makes it hard. So hopefully everytime I log in to make a count update I can see what damage it does and remind me of how I am doing. So here is the count: 1hr.

[Zachary]

One hour is a start. Soon it'll be two, then a whole day, then a week. Just come to this place whenever you feel tempted. There's good resources and good people here to help you get over this addiction. Welcome to TTF!

[Phil413]

Welcome, Determined. I'm glad you're here. Counting the days can be quite motivational, but it's not enough. You said:

I need to prove to myself that I can control it.

Um, no, you can't. If you could, you wouldn't be here. If you're relying on willpower and determination, you won't make it very far, trust me. What you need to do is put it out of reach so you can withdraw from it. Put an Internet filter like K9 on your computer right away and bury the password. Destroy any P you may have.

That'll be a good start. You can read various journals and posts here to learn more tips for breaking free. Also, starting your own journal would be a real help.

And, we have a 100 Day challenge that I administer. You're welcome to join that if you'd like.

Best of luck to you!

Phil

[Determined]

Thankyou.. I'm amazed at how quick you guys are on here...

[Determined]

And, we have a 100 Day challenge that I administer. You're welcome to join that if you'd like.
Phil

What does it involve (besides the obvious 100 days without P) and how does it work?

And I never thought of putting on an internet filter on.. I hate the feeling of being restricted, but it might just be something I have to do. I'm going to look into it.

[blindside]

Hey Determined. I'd advise you to start a journal in the Recovery Journal forum of this website. I've been abstaining from porn for just over two weeks now and believe me I would not have managed it without regular updates to my journal. This is because updating there gave me a sense of accountability knowing the other guys on here are reading what I wrote.

Going into it though for the first few days you will suffer some withdrawal. Hang tough my friend. Don't feel depressed or anxious. You've taken the first step. There will be setbacks but as long as you keep your eye on the prize (true freedom from addiction) you will be fine. Good luck.

[Phil413]

What does it involve (besides the obvious 100 days without P) and how does it work?

It's really simple. I assign you a color based on what you're abstaining from. If you're abstaining from P only, that's green. If you're abstaining from P and MB, that's purple. If you're abstaining from P and MB and any other deliberate sexual release (e.g., sex with your wife or girlfriend), that's blue.

Then, you tell me how many days sober you have completed through yesterday, and I put you on the list. Every day I publish an update of the list, and you can have the satisfaction of watching your name move up the rankings!

When you achieve 100 Days sober, you earn the coveted asterisk, which goes next to your name as you go through the list again for another 100 Days. You can accumulate an unlimited number of asterisks.

Okay, it sounds complicated the way I describe it, but it really is simple, trust me. :) Here's a link to the challenge:

100 Days Goal

And I never thought of putting on an internet filter on.. I hate the feeling of being restricted, but it might just be something I have to do. I'm going to look into it.

Think of it as a guardrail. Most of the time you can keep your car on the road where it belongs, but if you ever fall asleep and run off the road, you'll be glad the guardrail is there. Likewise, hopefully most of the time you'll be able to abstain from P, but if you're ever overwhelmed by temptation, you'll be glad the filter is there to keep you sober.

Phil

[Zachary]

Hey Determined. I'd advise you to start a journal in the Recovery Journal forum of this website. I've been abstaining from porn for just over two weeks now and believe me I would not have managed it without regular updates to my journal. This is because updating there gave me a sense of accountability knowing the other guys on here are reading what I wrote.

Going into it though for the first few days you will suffer some withdrawal. Hang tough my friend. Don't feel depressed or anxious. You've taken the first step. There will be setbacks but as long as you keep your eye on the prize (true freedom from addiction) you will be fine. Good luck.

The journal is really the best part of this site (for me). It's helped me more than I ever thought writing my feelings down would.

[Determined]

Think of it as a guardrail. Most of the time you can keep your car on the road where it belongs, but if you ever fall asleep and run off the road, you'll be glad the guardrail is there. Likewise, hopefully most of the time you'll be able to abstain from P, but if you're ever overwhelmed by temptation, you'll be glad the filter is there to keep you sober.

Phil

I've set it up and I'm going to get my gf to change the password to something I don't know. I really don't want to have access to it. Unfortunately I've just made it more difficult but not impossible on my phone. (iphone). Any suggestions for the iphone?


Oh and I might have to look at setting up a journal. I've never been good at writing them though.

[Phil413]

Unfortunately I've just made it more difficult but not impossible on my phone. (iphone). Any suggestions for the iphone?

Yes, use a wireless router with parental control capability. Many Netgear routers have this feature. You can set it up just like you would a filter on your computer, then the Internet will be filtered before it ever gets to your iPhone.

Phil