I have been trying to abstain from sexuality and masturbation for a long time, but some days I spend too long on dating apps. Will I have the same problems I had in the past with watching porn? Are they the same thing?
I don't think so. If you're juggling multiple apps just doing it for the brain rush, that's not good. But if you're using them to set up dates, fine. I'd turn your phone on black-and-white mode to make them much less exciting. Reduce the dopamine hit.
Your intuition is correct my friend. If you are using dating apps to fill a void within yourself (just like porn use), you will never succeed. You cannot feed a spiritual hunger (purpose, connection, meaning, intimacy, love, etc.) with a physical object (porn, apps, scrolling, food, drugs, etc). If I were you, I'd get support and go inward to discover what unmet need you're trying to get met through the dating app. Once you know that what the unmet need is, you then have the power to get it truly and sustainably met. This is the hard work of recovery. I'd get support with this forum, a sponsor, or someone who loves you. I'd be happy to advise more if you want.
