Trying to Win this War

[PanNY2012]

I am new and wanted to introduce myself. I am a grad student that has been dealing with PA for a couple years and has occasionally viewed for several years prior. Consistently moving from points of victory to moments of failure, it has come to a point in time in which I am tired of the consistent relapsing and want to end this once and for all. It has been exceedingly difficult for me with increase in suggestive themes on television and in movies. As well I need help developing other healthy coping mechanisms for stress and loneliness other than P. So, I am glad to be joining and ready to do battle. Thank God for websites such as this for encouragement and support. Thanks...

[HopefulsRock]

Well PanNY... welcome to TTF which is a community of support for ridding yourself of the addiction to P. I commend you for realizing at a young age that it's no good for you! Recovering from this addiction is a process that takes time... just like it took time to get to this point but the time and effort you put in right now is one of the best investments you'll ever make! Once you do gain the strength and finally get free from the hold this addiction has you will feel so liberated and positive about yourself and where your heading in life! It's always good to start your own journal in the recovery journal section of the forums so folks can get to know you and your situation and can help out and relate. Your not alone in this by any means my friend... stay strong and have hope it will get better!

[dave42]

Dear PanNY2012:

Thank you for your post! I especially liked what you said here, "Consistently moving from points of victory to moments of failure, it has come to a point in time in which I am tired of the consistent relapsing and want to end this once and for all." I think you captured my story perfectly with that sentence -- victory, then failure, over and over! I'm 46 and have been addicted to p since around the age of 15, and, as you wrote, I got so tired of "the consistent relapsing." I'm hoping that you will figure out, with help from folks here on this website, some strategies for ending your behavior as you say, "once and for all." We are all together here, encouraging you, praying for you, supporting you, listening to your problems and urging you to do what is necessary to recover. Thanks to God, people on this website and SAA (Sex Addicts Anonymous) I have 15 months of sobriety. I guess my best advice is to keep coming back here again and again--when things are going well and when they are not. Hope you know how glad we are that you are here and part of our shared struggle to achieve serenity!

[PanNY2012]

Hey dave42, appreciate the words of encouragement. This is an everyday battle for me, fighting the urge especially when I am not occupied. Congratulations on being 15 months sober, and I wish you well with your recovery. I was wondering do you have some advice on how to combat the urges and occupy your time?