As with any addiction or personal problem, there is often a great deal of shame associated with pornography addiction. If you’re suffering from pornography addiction, there are probably times where you feel that your situation is unique – this can be a very isolating experience that can cause considerable amounts of stress. But there’s no need to feel embarrassed about having a problem with porn – there are thousands of people across the nation that have the exact same struggles.
We often overestimate how isolated our problems are. Understanding that other people have the same issues can help us overcome issues. It’s important to know that other people who have experienced pornography addiction in the past have made full recoveries. The internet is a great resource of information for people who want more help with overcoming this problem.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at a few online communities and resources that might be able to help you better understand your pornography addiction. It’s a great way to find a support group that can lend you advice and information on how to start your road to porn addiction recovery. You should never underestimate the power of a community – many people with pornography addictions have found these communities extremely helpful in terms of overcoming their problems.
NoFap
NoFap is one of the biggest online pornography and masturbation addiction communities on the net. The forum started on Reddit in 2011, due to an article that was posted that indicated that testosterone levels increased rapidly after an individual quit masturbating. While the group had meager beginnings, it has turned into an extremely large group of people dedicated to helping one another overcome porn and masturbation addiction.
While the Reddit page is still in operation, the group now has a dedicated website that runs separately from the page. The page is set up as a forum so that people can interact with one another. It’s designed as an accountability method for people who honestly want to overcome their addictions. It also allows members to give one another advice on methods they used that were successful in helping them overcome their problems.
Many of the members on NoFap are former porn addicts – they have great advice on how to approach the road to recovery. It can be extremely strengthening to know that there are other people have overcome the same adversity that you’re currently facing.
Covenant Eyes
Covenant Eyes is another organization that has a community of accountability through various programs. They’re a Christian organization, but you don’t have to be religious to take advantage of their services. On top of their countless resources and informational packets, they also have software that can help you be more accountable about your addiction. If you’re worried about relapsing and viewing pornography once you quit, you can install the Covenant Eyes software on your computer.
This software tracks your internet data to ensure that you aren’t watching pornography. If you do end up slipping and watching porn, it will send an email to a close friend or support group – you choose which email will receive the alerts. This email will then notify the individual that you have relapsed, so they can speak to you about the issue. It’s a great way to have complete accountability concerning your porn addiction. You can even install the software on mobile devices and other forms of electronics. This is one of the most surefire ways to ensure that you have someone who is able to step in if you end up watching pornography again. Check out our Covenant Eyes app review for more details.
Speak to a Friend
Sometimes the best support network is close friends or family. Most people find it hard to speak to their family about their pornography addiction, so a close friend may be a better option. Let them know what you’re feeling like and tell them that you want them to make you accountable. If you feel the need to watch pornography, give them a call and discuss things before you make any decisions.
This is a similar concept to what Alcoholics Anonymous uses – their sponsorship program. The program assigns you a sponsor that is there for you should you end up needing help with resisting urges or compulsions. Employing this same strategy can help you get through tough times and temptation.
Benefits of Using Communities
The benefits to using communities are endless, and we’ve touched on most of the positives in this article already. Below we’ll give a quick outline of the top benefits associated with using a community while you’re overcoming your addiction.
Reduce Isolation
Having a community to fall back on reduces your isolation and makes you feel better about the problem you’re having. It allows you to understand that you’re not alone in the fight.
Tips
Other people have been through the same thing as you, and they may have a wealth of great tips to offer should you end up needing help. Many of these online porn addiction forums are filled to the brim with personal tips.
Success Stories
Looking up to a success story is one way to put things in perspective. You may feel as though you have no way out, but seeing that other people have achieved your goals makes them feel more realistic.
Accountability
Finding people that can keep you accountable and stop you from justifying your actions can make it a much quicker process. Being accountable to yourself and others is a huge benefit.
Recognition of Achievement
In addition, these communities are great for people who need recognition for their achievements. Every small battle is a victory, and having a support group can help you better realize this!
Additional Resources
Many of these forums also offer additional resources and guides if you need more help with your addiction.
Verdict
As you can see, there are numerous reasons why joining a community might be able to help you better tackle your problem. It’s okay to admit you need help – fighting things alone can often be unproductive.
If you need any more information about porn addiction symptoms or recovery, make sure to check out some of the other pages on our site! We’re here to help and hopefully guide you in the right direction on your path to freedom.
