Cousin addicted to pornography

[Texas2014]

Hello all,

Recently, my cousin has told me that he “thinks” he has been addicted to pornography and masturbation. I told him that he needed to go to confession asap. However, he later revealed that when he was 11 (he’s 22 now), his friend introduced him to pornography and if my logic is correct, he has been hooked on it since. I’m not really sure of what to do. He did tell me that he has promised to pray the rosary everyday about 3months ago. He would tell me how he would reject the temptation for about a week then he would give in to the temptation.
I’m not too sure of how addicted he really is because he is living quite a healthy lifestyle in addition to being a first year medical student. He’s afraid of going to rehab or something because he doesn’t think he has it that BAD.

Do y’all have any advice?
Thanks and God Bless.

 

[Dorothy]

Hello all,

Recently, my cousin has told me that he “thinks” he has been addicted to pornography and masturbation. I told him that he needed to go to confession asap. However, he later revealed that when he was 11 (he’s 22 now), his friend introduced him to pornography and if my logic is correct, he has been hooked on it since. I’m not really sure of what to do. He did tell me that he has promised to pray the rosary everyday about 3months ago. He would tell me how he would reject the temptation for about a week then he would give in to the temptation.
I’m not too sure of how addicted he really is because he is living quite a healthy lifestyle in addition to being a first year medical student. He’s afraid of going to rehab or something because he doesn’t think he has it that BAD.

Do y’all have any advice?
Thanks and God Bless.

It is BAD because he needs to continue fighting it with the grace of God. New, good habits, of prayer and sacraments and hobbies need to replace the sin habits. Pray much for him, and I will say a prayer right now.

All things are possible with God!

 

[Lasting_faith]

I got a “wake up” call close to a week ago when I did understand that I must stop lying. Well, I did, and I have been “clean” since, so give him this advice, it is not fail-safe but it can help. Tell him to think only one day ahead, keep on praying and of course get rid of the porn. But what is most importen, don’t say or think that I start tomorrow or a week from now, no, the rest of your life begin right now.

 

[bmaj]

Recently, my cousin has told me that he “thinks” he has been addicted to pornography and masturbation. I told him that he needed to go to confession asap. However, he later revealed that when he was 11 (he’s 22 now), his friend introduced him to pornography and if my logic is correct, he has been hooked on it since. I’m not really sure of what to do. He did tell me that he has promised to pray the rosary everyday about 3months ago. He would tell me how he would reject the temptation for about a week then he would give in to the temptation.
I’m not too sure of how addicted he really is because he is living quite a healthy lifestyle in addition to being a first year medical student. He’s afraid of going to rehab or something because he doesn’t think he has it that BAD.

Do y’all have any advice?
Thanks and God Bless.

It’s probably a good thing that he’s feeling some guilt about this - and hopefully is continuing to pray the Rosary. Many people with the addiction don’t feel the guilt and just continue with the sin. I will say a prayer that he goes to Confession - now, and anytime in the future if he “slips.” He might also want to speak a bit with the Priest about it while he’s in the Confessional. He may get some excellent advice and encouragement that way. Please also tell him how pornography can destroy marriages and tear families apart - especially since one day he may very likely consider marriage. As a wife whose husband continues to deal with this temptation, I can only say how terribly hurtful it is from a wife’s standpoint. Fortunately there are lots of resources available for him without him having to go into rehab. He can Google “pornography addiction help” to find some that could work for him. There’s also an excellent and very large anonymous online support group here at CAF called, “Impurity Addiction Support Group,” which might be very beneficial for him.
God bless you for taking the time to care for his welfare.