The first step that anyone viewing pornography needs to do is admit that what they are doing is wrong and that they need to change.
Many people lack this courage; the fact that you are on this page right now leads me to think that you don't. You've seen the ways pornography is affecting your life—your relationships, your ability to concentrate, and so forth—and you have decided that enough's enough; it's time to get serious about becoming free.
It's our hope that you'll find on this site helpful resources to assist you in breaking your addiction. Recognize that freedom from pornography isn't an event, it's a process. If you want to conquer porn, you need to realize that you're embarking upon a marathon, not a sprint.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Realize You are Not Alone
Millions of men and women struggle with compulsive pornography use. It is estimated that 40% of men and 20% of women are addicted to it. This can include visual porn, chat rooms, erotic stories, and social media. While few are willing to talk about it, this is an epidemic that we need to begin facing now!2. Let Go of the Shame
When people struggle with an addiction they often feels tremendous guilt and shame. Guilt is the emotion that tells us when we’ve done something wrong and must fix it. This is good. Shame is the emotion that leads us to believe that because of what we’ve done, we are bad people, and if people really knew, they would reject us. This is bad. Guilt can lead us to live better lives. Shame just makes us want to hide in darkness. Shame is not from God. It is a powerful weapon that Satan uses to keep people trapped in their addiction. We can’t let Satan win this battle!3. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
This is a very powerful sacrament not only because we receive God’s forgiveness, but because you are taking your addiction out of the darkness and bringing it into the light. This can take away the guilt and much of the shame. The priest can also encourage you to seek help for your addiction.4. Seek Professional Help
Comprehensive recovery program, such as the Integrity Restored Program. To get started it’s important to find a therapist who is certified in the diagnosis and treatment of sexual addiction. We offer a listing of trained therapists on this website. He/she can help you through the recovery program.5. Realize that God Still Loves You
So many men and women who are addicted to pornography have difficulty receiving God’s love. They believe that God has abandoned them. While God may allow you to struggle with this addiction, know that he still loves you deeply. He often uses recovery programs to draw people closer to Him and to help other addicts. So even though you may not notice him, he is definitely working in your life. He led you to this website!6.Take Courage
No matter how bad things are, it’s important to realize that God has a special plan for your life. He wants you to be a strong, joyful, well-rounded individual. By taking charge of your addiction and committing to a comprehensive recovery program, you will become the person God created you to be!
