loveslifegal27

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Everything posted by loveslifegal27

  1. Yeah, apparently I joined 6 years ago, but I had forgotten. :)
  2. I am a female recovering porn and sex addict. 20+ years of trying to stop by myself. It isn't just the Church that doesn't address these addictions with females, it is society in general. There are many women in and out of the church with these addictions. I attend the church's PASAG program and our group is all women. For me it started with romance novels, then moved to erotic fiction, then into full-blown hard core pornography. If you want to read more about how I have been able to be sober for almost 7 months, read my post here.
  3. I am a recovering porn and sex addict. For 20 years I tried to stop on my own. I would do okay for awhile and tell myself that I could overcome without confessing to my Bishop, but then I would slip right back into my old habits. Back in January I finally confessed to my Bishop, started attending the group meetings for the church's Addiction Recovery Program and began seeing a counselor. Those that successfully "recover" do 4 things: 1. Confess to and meet regularly with a Bishop for accountability, guidance in the repentance process, and support. (This isn't as scary as you make it out to be in your head. It is a very freeing experience, one I wish I would have had the courage to do 20 years ago.) 2. Do all the "Sunday School" answers to the gospel; daily scripture study, daily personal prayer, pay tithes and offerings, fast monthly (at least) and attend all three hours of church. When I don't do these things my spirituality stagnates and I become susceptible to Satan's temptations. 3. Attend the LDS Church Addiction Recovery Program meetings AND do the 12 Steps. 4. See a therapist/counselor qualified to treat pornography and sexual addiction. LDS Family Services is a great resource. By doing these four things, and with God's help, I am almost 7 months sober. After 20+ years! I am so grateful. A few things I have learned in my recovery process: 1. The church's 12 Step Program is the essence of the gospel. If you could make a manual and workbook on "How to Gain Salvation", it would be the Addiction Recovery Program workbook. I think every member of the church should go through the program. You really come to understand the Atonement and how it applies in your life every single day. 2. It is not about the addiction. The addiction is a coping mechanism, a way to soothe feelings of hurt, guilt, shame, fear, anger, etc. There are always underlying traumas or character weaknesses that are the foundation of the addiction. If you don't identify and address these issues you will never be able to abstain, or you will switch to another addiction. The 12 Step Program and seeing a qualified therapist are vital in identifying these issues. 3. Pornography and Sexual Addictions are just as chemically addicting as drugs and alcohol. When you act out your brain is flooded with feel good chemicals. You become addicted to those chemicals and acting out is the only way to appease the craving. Because of the unnatural levels of chemicals released your the decision center of your brain shrinks, literally killing brain cells. The recovery process takes time because your have to heal the brain, bringing it back to it's previous, healthy state. A few other resources that have been essential in my recovery process: 1. He Restoreth My Soul by Donald L. Hilton, M.D. 2. Clean Hands, Pure Hearts: Overcoming Pornography Addiction through the Redeeming Power of Jesus Christ by Phillip A. Harrison. This book was a god-send. It is also a workbook, to compliment the ARP workbook. I didn't use it as a workbook, but the information and personal experience of Brother Harrison in his recovery process were vital in my own. I am grateful for my addictions. Because of my addiction I had the opportunity to have the broken heart and contrite spirit required to come unto Christ and accept him as my Redeemer. If anyone has any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
  4. I guess I need to introduce myself. :) I am LDS, 33 and single. I live in SLC, Utah. A friend suggested I come on here and check it out. So here I am. :)