Is this a good idea?

Question

I want to get a program to stop myself from looking at pornography. Is this bad as I am relying on an external force to stop myself from doing something rather than an internal force: myself? I.e. will it transfer over to something else?

Answer 1

Well, you can look at it this way: If you are the one locking up the fridge to prevent yourself from eating, and you are the keeper of the key, what is preventing you from using the key when you get the impulse to eat.

External checks only work if they can be effective outside of our attempts to get past them. Obviously, if you did not have internal impulse control problems, you would not be using external means to keep yourself from engaging in the activity.

The question with pornography is: how easily can you get around the 'program' to look at pornography when you get the 'impulse' to do so? Also, how many other outlets are available to you in case you cannot get around the program? Getting a lock-box for your cable isn't very effective if you can drive down to the local adult video store and buy all the porn you want, or you can get online and buy all you want and have it shipped to you.

For something to be effective, you have to effectively remove all the channels by which you can bypass the obstacle. Also, you need to start an internal dialogue about why you are looking at pornography. If this means you need to do so with a professional, so be it. Only through a combination of external obstacles and internal examination can you get over your desire to look at pornography. Simply turning off your cable, or throwing out your raunchy dvd's isn't much of a solution.

Answer 2

If internal vs external is really an issue...you must use an internal force to go get help in the first place...and you overcoming an addiction to porn is internal not external, you are getting a helping hand and guidance, someone isn't going to wave a magic wand and then *poof* you re not a porn addict anymore....