I feel guilty when I watch porn or when I masturbate, so I desperately want to stop, but I can't stop myself. When I'm alone, the temptation gets the better of me and despite my best efforts I can't stop. I need some advice on how to stop.
Please don't suggest telling someone (for accountability) b/c I find my habit despicable and don't want others (especially someone I know well) to know.
2007-10-03 13:24:57 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
the first step is admitting. there are addiction groups for things like this. and the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are an excellent place to start to help you overcome your addiction.
2007-10-03 13:30:07 · answer #1 · answered by plastik punk -Bottom Contributor 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Although you don't want to go that route, having someone that you are accountable to can be a real help. Sure, it is humiliating. But guess what - a lot of guys struggle with the exact same problems. A lot of guys are hiding the same way you are.
There are some practical things you can do:
1. change your environment. In other words, cut out the porn. If it means getting rid of the internet, throwing the TV out the window, whatever - take steps to change your situation so you are not "led into temptation".
2. Get involved in a good church. Develop good relationships.
3. Learn to pray. And then pray! Regularly! daily! hourly!
4. Read your bible. read read read. fill your mind with God's word. The bible is given to us so that we might stand against the temptations of this life.
Of course, all these will do little good until you really commit your life to God. After you have really committed your life to God, if you sin again, you can go to God for forgiveness. If you sin a million times, you go to God for forgiveness a million times. And He is faithful to forgive and to give you help....
Masturbation is a very hard thing to overcome once you are in the habit of it. A lot of guys- young and old - feel exactly like you do. They hate it - they find it despicable - but they still do it. Even after they are married! But don't give up, don't despair, AND don't go around kicking yourself if you do it....
god bless
2007-10-03 20:41:51 · answer #2 · answered by happy pilgrim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) Don't feel guilty about something you have no reason to feel guilty about.
2) Find something productive and fulfilling to do. This means finding a hobby outside surfing the net or playing video games. This will slow things down.
3) Along the lines of #1: stay away from any group that ends in "...Anonymous". 12-step programs thrive on self-deceit and self-loathing. They don't make you better; they just make you channel your compulsions into some other outlet.
4) Don't kid yourself into thinking you'll stop forever.
2007-10-03 20:28:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You need to develop self discipline. Its like trying to quite smoking. You have taken the first step in admitting you have an addiction. Try to ween yourself off slowly.
2007-10-03 20:36:37 · answer #4 · answered by afilmbuff 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Any person can stop doing anything they CHOOSE to stop doing. That's the problem. We may say we want to stop but we don't. If we want to, we do. I have personally stopped many things when I made up my mind to do so. Of course some of the time I had to ask God to help me and He did. Damn, that imaginary guy. Whatever. He's real, ask Him.
2007-10-03 20:29:45 · answer #5 · answered by Que bella 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Your awareness of the problem will help you to solve it--just remember---you are not alone--puberty has that effect on most humans.
2007-10-03 20:29:58 · answer #6 · answered by huffyb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Join Sex Addicts Anonymous. No kidding. They probably have online meetings if you don't have any in your area to go to in person, and they probably all felt or feel the same way you do about other people knowing.
Good luck!
EDIT: To those who give me Thumbs Down for my answer, I gave that answer because HE said he desperately wants to stop. That's HIS choice. So I gave him one answer on how to accomplish that goal, since that's what he has chosen to do. According to him, it seems to be getting in the way of his life, somehow, and causing him pain mentally. To tell him to continue something that is obviously causing him mental anguish I think is kind of cruel and not helpful to what he is asking for.
2007-10-03 20:28:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
You need professional help.
Here are some Christian sources:
www.iabc.net
www.nanc.org
http://www.pamstenzel.com/
http://www.premaritalsex.info/
Pastor Art
2007-10-03 20:33:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Relax and enjoy
2007-10-03 20:27:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
If you are not the "Master" of the mind, then you have become "slave" to it.
2007-10-03 20:32:06 · answer #10 · answered by Premaholic 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋