Jigsaw's Journal

jigsaw,

For me, admitting that I needed help and becoming willing to do whatever I needed to do to get it were huge steps toward a new life.  I waited a little more than thirty years longer than you are to get to that point; starting at 19 rather than 51 gives you a huge advantage!

For me, things that have been important include

- 12-step support fellowships, getting a sponsor, and working the steps.  You can look for both face-to-face and electronic meetings at

saa-recovery.org/
slaafws.org/
sa.org/
sca-recovery.org/

Chat meetings I've attended are at

slaaonline.org/
internationalslaaonline.org/

- Professional counseling.  One source of information on counselors with expertise on sex addiction is at

www.iitap.com/

I live in a rural area and just work with a general therapist with an interest in behavioral addictions.

- Getting honest with the central people in my life.

- Talking with other addicts.

- Meditation, prayer, and journaling.

- Reading to understand addiction and recovery.

There are other tools some other people use - fellowships like Celebrate Recovery, websites like recovery nation, etc.

For me, it's clear that my problem with porn is a real addiction, that it produces in me behavior just like that of any other addict, and that I need to use all the tools of other addicts if I'm to get better.  That's daunting, but it's also hugely hopeful.  People find recovery from addictions of all sorts every day.  It's the hardest thing most of us will ever do, but it's also the most important, and the most deeply blessed.

That's the quick set of tools I'm using.  Our situations are a little different due to the factor of 3 difference in age, if nothing else, so I'm not sure how useful my experience is to you; but there are some things at least to think about.  There is enormous hope, though.  Especially at the point we're able to let go, ask for help, trust, and be honest.  It's a great start.  What do you suppose the next step might be?

Tim M.