Articles

Internal Boundaries in Successful Recovery from Sexual Addiction

Sexual addiction, characterized by compulsive and harmful behaviors, requires individuals to adopt robust recovery practices that address both internal and external challenges. One of the...

Healing from Sexual Addiction and Learning Healthy Sexuality

For individuals recovering from sexual addiction, one of the most profound challenges is understanding and embracing healthy sexuality. Addiction often distorts a person's relationship with sex,...

The Importance of Identifying Triggers in Overcoming Pornography Addiction

Recovery from pornography addiction is a complex journey that requires significant self-awareness and commitment. One of the most crucial aspects of this process is identifying and addressing...

The Struggle for Sex Addicts to Stay Sober in Early Recovery and Stopping Pornography

The early stages of recovery for sex addicts can be fraught with difficulties. Maintaining sobriety during this time is a monumental task, as individuals work to break free from deeply entrenched...

Understanding Withdrawal in Men Experiencing Sexual Addiction

Sexual addiction is a deeply complex issue, often accompanied by significant emotional and physical challenges during recovery. Men with sexual addiction commonly face "withdrawal"...

Hitting Bottom and the Desire for Change in Sex Addiction

The Descent into Addiction Sex addiction is often described as a spiral, an unrelenting descent into mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual turmoil. For many struggling with compulsive sexual...

The Sexual Addiction System and Stopping Pornography

The Foundation of Sexual Addiction Sexual addiction is underpinned by a dysfunctional belief system that perpetuates impaired thinking and destructive behaviors. Carnes, Delmonico, and Griffin...

Despair and Unmanageability in Sexual Addiction and Successful Recovery

The Dual Lives of Addiction Sexual addiction is often characterized by the need to separate one's private compulsive behaviors from public personas. As Carnes, Delmonico, and Griffin (2001)...

The Powerlessness in Sexual Addiction and the Path to Recovery

Understanding Sexual Addiction Sexual addiction is a deeply distressing condition marked by the inability to regulate sexual behaviors, often causing significant harm to an individual’s...

Sexual Addiction Recovery and the Ritualization Stage of the Addiction Cycle

The cycle of sexual addiction involves distinct and interrelated phases, one of which is ritualization. According to Carnes, Delmonico, and Griffin (2001), this stage is characterized by the...

Preoccupation in the Cycle of Sexual Addiction

In the cycle of sexual addiction, the phase of preoccupation is both a hallmark and a driver of compulsive behavior. Characterized by an obsessive focus on sexual thoughts, it serves as a gateway to...

Impaired Thinking and Denial in Sexually Addicted Men

Sexual addiction can significantly impair an individual’s thinking, leading to various forms of denial that perpetuate harmful patterns of behavior. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent...

Pain and Shame as Different Motivators for Sexual Addiction Recovery

Shame: A Counterproductive Motivator Shame often arises in the wake of destructive behaviors, particularly in the context of addiction. It is a deeply personal emotion that makes individuals feel...

Transformation: The Heart of Sexual Addiction Recovery

Sobriety: The Foundation for Transformation Recovery from sexual addiction is often seen as a journey toward sobriety, where the goal is to stop engaging in harmful behaviors. While sobriety is...

A Pastor’s Journey Through Sexual Addiction Recovery

Confronting Sexual Addiction The struggle with sexual addiction is not limited to any one group or profession. Pastors, often seen as spiritual leaders, are not immune to the pain and challenges...

Shame is a Bad Motivator for Changing Pornography Addiction

The Pitfalls of Shame-Driven Motivation Shame is a powerful emotional response often linked to feelings of inadequacy or failure. For individuals struggling with pornography addiction, shame can...

Recovery from Sexual Addiction and Addressing Intimacy Attachment Wounds

Understanding the Roots of Sexual Addiction Sexual addiction, often misunderstood, stems from deeper emotional and psychological wounds. T.C. Ryan (2012) describes this struggle vividly:...

The Role of Shame in Sexual Addiction Recovery

Shame is a deeply ingrained emotion that often fuels the destructive cycle of sexual addiction. For many individuals, shame is not just a feeling but a persistent state of being that distorts their...

Testimonial of Recovery from Pornography Addiction

*The name in this testimonial has been changed to protect the privacy of those involved. I can’t even begin to describe how different my life feels now that I’ve broken free from...

Getting Help With ‘Step Ten’ in Sexual Addiction Recovery

Sexual addiction recovery is a journey requiring ongoing self-awareness, accountability, and spiritual growth. For many, the Tenth Step of the 12-Step program provides an essential framework for...

The Dangers of Pornography Addiction and Harm

Understanding the Impact Pornography use has become increasingly normalized in our digital age, but its dangers often remain unaddressed. For many, it starts innocuously but can spiral into an...

The Hidden Harms of Sexually Addictive Behavior – Getting Help for Sex Addiction

Sexually addictive behavior often leaves behind a trail of harm that remains hidden from plain view. For those struggling with sex addiction, recognizing and addressing this harm is a critical step...

Patience and Persistence in Successful Pornography Addiction Recovery

Recovery from pornography addiction is a journey that requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to seek and accept help from others. Many individuals struggling with this addiction are...

Getting Help for Pornography Addiction Recovery and Unhealthy Beliefs

For many individuals struggling with pornography addiction, the roots of the problem extend beyond behavior into the realm of deeply ingrained beliefs and attitudes about sexuality. Often, these...

The Hidden Emotional Issues Behind Sexual Addiction and Recovery

Struggling with sexual addiction often involves more than curbing compulsive behaviors—it requires uncovering and addressing deeply rooted emotional issues. Men facing these challenges...

Step Five of Sex Addicts Anonymous and Its Role in Recovery from Porn and Sex Addiction

Step Five of Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) is a pivotal milestone in the journey toward recovery from pornography and sex addiction. It moves individuals beyond self-deception and secrecy into a space...

Admitting That Pornography Addiction Has Become Unmanageable

One of the most pivotal moments in recovery from pornography addiction is recognizing that the problem has become unmanageable. This realization often comes after repeated failed attempts to control...

How Pornography Addicts Get Lost in the Preoccupation of Sexual Fantasies

Sexual preoccupation is a hallmark of pornography addiction. It often begins as a coping mechanism for stress or emotional discomfort but can quickly spiral into a consuming obsession. As described...

Do I Have An Addiction to Pornography or Sexual Behavior?

Acknowledging an addiction to pornography or sexual behavior can be a deeply humbling and transformative step. Addiction is often insidious, rooted in complex psychological and emotional dynamics....

Admitting to Yourself When You Are Addicted to Pornography or Sexual Behavior

Understanding that you may be struggling with addiction to pornography or sexual behavior is a crucial and courageous step. Addiction can often mask itself behind justifications or denial, making...

Setting a New Year's Resolution to Stop Pornography Addiction

A new year symbolizes fresh beginnings and the opportunity to break free from unhealthy habits. If you’ve struggled with pornography addiction, setting a resolution to cease this behavior is a...

Age Verification Laws Prompt Pornhub to Block Access in Multiple States

Legislation requiring age verification for accessing adult content websites is gaining momentum in the United States, with Pornhub and similar platforms responding by blocking access in 13 states....

New Laws Protecting Children from the Pitfalls of Pornography Addiction

The pervasive accessibility of online pornography has transformed it into a significant societal issue, particularly for vulnerable youth. Recent legislative efforts, such as age-verification laws...

Helping Men with Pornography Addiction Understand the Impact on Their Wives

Understanding Betrayal Trauma When a man discloses his pornography addiction to his wife, it often triggers profound emotional pain and disorientation. This reaction is known as betrayal trauma,...

How Men Can Motivate Themselves to Seek Help for Pornography Addiction

Understanding the Challenge Acknowledging the need for help with pornography addiction is often the first and most challenging step for many men. Shame, societal expectations of masculinity, and...

A New Year's Resolution to Stop Viewing Pornography

The start of a new year is a time for reflection and renewal—a perfect opportunity to set meaningful goals that can transform your life. If you’ve been struggling with pornography...

Help for Porn Addiction and Preparing for Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal from pornography addiction can be a daunting challenge, as the body and mind adjust to the absence of addictive stimuli. However, with careful preparation and a focus on mental readiness,...

Effective Strategies for Pornography Addiction Recovery

Overcoming pornography addiction involves not only abstaining from unhealthy behaviors but also actively building a life enriched by healthy habits and purposeful activities. The recovery process is...

Pornography Addiction and Three Styles of Recovery

Pornography addiction is a growing concern in today’s hyper-digital world, affecting individuals' mental, emotional, and relational well-being. Recovery from this addiction requires a...

Exploring the Psychological Roots of Help for Sexual Addiction

Sexual addiction is a multifaceted issue influenced by emotional trauma, genetic predisposition, and behavioral patterns. Understanding these root causes is critical for effective treatment and...

What Causes Sexual Addiction and Help for Sexual Addiction

Sexual addiction, like other behavioral addictions, has both psychological and physiological underpinnings. Experts in addiction therapy, such as Robert Weiss, highlight that sexual addiction often...

New Years Resolutions and Embracing Change After Pornography Addiction

Starting Fresh with New Year's Resolutions A new year offers a powerful opportunity to reflect, reset, and recommit to personal growth. For individuals recovering from pornography addiction,...

The Journey Through Withdrawal from Pornography Addiction and Recovery

Withdrawal Symptoms and Recovery Pornography addiction is a deeply ingrained behavior, and recovery often involves navigating challenging withdrawal symptoms. As Gray and Olson (2005) explain,...

First-Order Changes and Help for Pornography Addiction Recovery

Overcoming pornography addiction begins with taking concrete, immediate steps to disrupt harmful patterns. These initial actions, known as first-order changes, are crucial in addressing the problem...

Intimate Betrayal and the Positive Outcomes of Disclosure

When facing the painful realities of sexual addiction, disclosure is one of the most daunting steps in the recovery process. The prospect of sharing deeply personal secrets and confronting the...

Intimate Betrayal and Emotional Fallout: Full Disclosure and Getting Help for Sexual Addiction

For individuals struggling with sexual addiction, disclosure is one of the most challenging steps in the recovery process. It requires honesty, courage, and a willingness to face the emotional...

Suggestions for Men Disclosing Sexual Addiction to Their Spouse – Intimate Betrayal

Sexual addiction is a deeply personal struggle that can disrupt every aspect of life, from work to relationships. When addiction begins to harm a marriage, it becomes essential to address the...

The Dangers of Staggered Disclosures in Sexual Addiction Recovery

In relationships affected by sexual addiction, disclosure of the addict’s behavior is a critical step toward healing. However, the way disclosure is handled can significantly impact the...

When Your Spouse Catches You in a Pornography Addiction

Acknowledging a pornography addiction and the hurt it causes a spouse is a difficult but necessary step toward healing. When trust has been broken, the way you apologize can significantly influence...

Preventing Post-Holiday Blues in Sexual Addiction Recovery

The holiday season often brings joy, connection, and celebration, but as it concludes, many people experience the post-holiday blues. For those in recovery from sexual addiction, this emotional...