Thanks. I’ve been where you are now and my outlook was dismal. I posted this to show that deliverance is possible, with the right amount of effort. Sometimes it takes a phenomenal effort and it takes serious sacrifice. But I can tell you that it’s all worth it. I wish you the best as you continue your journey. Never give up!
Thank you for posting this! Impressive! Great to hear that it's actually possible. Did the urge to P ever leave? When did it leave or get weak enough to not be a problem?
Some depression and definitely social anxiety. I have ADHD, which causes social anxiety. The depression left after I stopped looking at P, social anxiety is unfortunately with me to stay because of my ADHD.
SAA and LDS addiction recovery https://addictionrecovery.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng Sober meant no P. I did continue to MO, but I tried to limit that behavior as much as possible. Relapse meant looking at P. Hope this is helpful.
This is truly the only thing that helped me. Until you start telling other people about what you're going through, the isolation and loneliness and guilt are insurmountable. I had friends who would just nonchalantly say "i used to be addicted to P" and i would be so jealous that it didn't hold a grip on them any longer. They could just say it out loud like someone says "i like sports". To me the key to success is removing all shame through disclosure to real people. Shame is so toxic and prevents so many people from finding real success. Congrats on 13+ years. I hope to be there too one day. I just hit 6 months, 13 years sounds amazing.
You’re Amazing! Congratulations. I’m curious to know more about the extremes you did with technology. Did you go back to unrestricted devices eventually? I’m obsessed with restricting my devices (maybe not a good thing entirely) but this is helping me at least until I reach months and first year of sobriety.
Thanks. It’s rare that people will take the necessary steps to change completely. Their ego gets in the way. It sounds like you’re heading down the right path. 6 months is impressive. Honestly the first six months is the most difficult, the rest of the years pile on fast. Stay honest and you’ll get there.
Yes, after a year we went back to having internet in our home after a year, but the temptation to watch P was no longer there. I’m able to have a smartphone. I’m able to get on the internet without it being a problem. It’s like I was before I started watching P.
Wow - Properly impressed with your achievement buddy!! Huge well done on turning your life around. I'm sure many of us here including me intend to use your story as motivation we can move on to! Thanks so much for sharing.
Wish I could do that. I make money online, it's my only income source. Thanks for sharing the success story.