How to overcome sexual addiction?

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Redrose13

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Hello,

I started pornography and masturbation when I was I think 19 when my online ex-bf introduced me to porn. (I was totally innocent back then) I couldn’t imagine that I’ve put so much damage on myself for doing this pleasure for the last 8 years.

Right now I’m 27 and I just had the full knowledge that masturbation is a mortal sin and I really wanna be freed from this addiction. I vowed to God last March that I will turn away from this sin but I failed this June.

Please give me some help to fight the temptation and overcome this sexual addiction. I’m also worried that this addiction might cause a problem on my future married life if not resolved.

Thanks and God bless!
 
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Sounds like you are improving, that’s good. Go to confession regularly (if you are Catholic). Find things to do in your life that fill up time and that are healthy and moral. Praying for others in need is particularly good.

I would say, probably, avoid dating for now, as many men would take advantage of the situation. Devote yourself to the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet daily. Read the Bible and some spiritual books written by Saints. Keep in touch with us here in the forums.
 
I’m sorry about that. I’m new here. How can I do that? Thank you.
 
Get rid of the things that lead you to sin. Every “toy” goes in the garbage today. If I were you I would get rid of the internet all together. Buy a cheap “dumb phone” that will not go online. There may be a time when you can again use the internet, but, as Christ said “if your right hand causes you to sin then cut it off”

Go to Confession, ask your priest about fasting. It is what Scripture recommends for getting our bodily urges under control.
 
Yes I am a Roman Catholic. When I started including confession in my weekly activities, the urge became less. I think I became vulnerable to temptation when I haven’t gone to confession for almost 2 weeks. Also, I have daily devotion to rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. I also read the daily scriptures. I appreciate your advice. ☺️
 
Since someone else mentioned therapy, I know there are online programs designed to help over this, such as candeo.org Matt Fradd also some resources, I think.
 
Fast on Wednesday and Friday. Pray the rosary every day.
Also: for 40 days do a fast where you can only use phones/ internet/ computer etc for work or if you really need to communicate with someone. No more use of technology as recreation for 40 days.
 
If you vowed in March and you didn’t fall off the wagon till June, that’s a really good step. Just confess your failure and get back on the wagon. You managed to go 3 months without, you can go longer next time.

Be cognizant of the triggers that can cause you to do these things, and plan strategies for dealing with them so you don’t slip back into your habits.
 
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As a start I recommend that you avoid the occasions that you know will lead you to this sin.
Go to confession regularly. Develop a life of daily and weekly prayer.
Another thing I think is important is to try to develop empathy. It is very easy to sit in judgement of others who are addicted. How easy it is to fall into addiction. How hard it is to free one self. How easy it is to sit in judgement of others who don’t have the same weakness as I while in the eyes of God that person may be holier than I like to think I am.
 
Four things:

Find some activity that keeps you busy: sports, a hobby etc.

Don’t allow yourself to be unsupervised on the internet. There’s a good app called XWatch which allows you to use the internet but you must have an accountibility person who will recieve an email of your browsing history every week.

Pray the rosary and use the sacraments regularly.

Don’t beat yourself up when you fall. Just get to confession and keep going.
 
"No one can live continually in sin and continue to say the Rosary: either they will give up sin or they will give up the Rosary”~Bishop Hugh Doyle
 
Cut out EVERYTHING in the current media that portrays fornication, movies/ books/ music, As Jesus said: ‘The one who thinks lustfully deliberately has already committed adultery in their heart.’

If you are having deliberate impure thoughts, Actions follow deliberate thoughts.

Keep your thoughts holy.

It would actually be a good idea to accept single life for the time being, until a time has come that you become 100% chaste. Focus on self control and purity.
 
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I make sure I say the Prayer to St. Michael every day and especially before I get on the Internet.
 
Right now, I continue praying my devotions to the Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy. I don’t watch TV shows other than news. I am much more aware now when an impure thought is about to pop up and fight it with a prayer. I continue my weekly confession and receiving the Holy Eucharist.
I focus myself on learning something new and studying for the board exam.

Thanks all for your thoughts on this! God bless us all!
 
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