What Porn Addiction Steals From You & How to Take It Back
Pornography addiction is a tricky thing to overcome, but you’ve finally seen the light and can say with a hand on your heart that you’re well on your way to recovery.
But let’s be honest, it’s stolen a lot from you over the years. The time you’ve spent invested in this type of content, the relationships you’ve pushed aside in favor of that instant gratification, not to mention the happiness it’s replaced with a grey cloud of shame.
Thankfully, these things are now firmly in the past, and you can move forward by proactively reclaiming your power and building your life back up again!
What Has This Addiction Taken From You?
Your journey started a long time ago when you faced up to the fact that you were no longer in control of your decision to watch adult material, right? Now it’s time to kick this pornography monster right where it hurts and reclaim what’s yours.
So, let’s talk about what pornography addiction might have stolen from you and how to get it back.
Physical Intimacy Issues
Whilst many associate a pornography addiction with a higher sex drive, watching explicit adult content regularly is a leading cause of PIED (porn induced erectile dysfunction) among young men and teenagers. ¹
And this may be triggered by the unrealistic expectation that hardcore pornography videos create. People who watched pornography as a younger adult often express disappointment in the physical act of having sex with a partner, stating that it never felt like real life matched up to the hype. ²
In the same way, watching a Victoria's Secret Model’s show isn’t going to reflect the average bikini-clad woman on a beach, pornography doesn’t give you a real insight into the reality of sexual relations.
A lack of arousal in the bedroom and failing to get erect can undoubtedly cause an adverse ripple effect on forming long-lasting relationships, too. So, if you’re now hoping to find love and a long-term partner, then overcoming pornography addiction is a step in the right direction.
By experiencing only realistic sexual experiences from now on, you can reduce the overhyped idea of a pornography script and finally make an authentic connection with a lover.
Get Your Mojo Back
Addiction, whether to drugs, alcohol, or pornography, can often come hand in hand with feelings of isolation, guilt, and shame. And this can dampen your mood, spirit, and make you feel lost in life. While all completely normal feelings, and something you still may be coping with now, it’s time to get your mojo back.
You don’t have to hold onto any negative feelings about anything you’ve watched, viewed, read, or thought about. Why? Because this was your addiction. Remember, you weren’t in control of your own decisions, and an addiction or compulsive behavior does not define who you are as a person.
Or, if you still can’t overcome guilt, try to remember this: we are all human and all humans make mistakes. If we didn’t make any mistakes, then we simply wouldn’t be human. Some people use this time to reconnect on a spiritual level with a belief system that resonates with them. Something you might not have felt possible during your addiction due to the feelings of isolation and shame.
Ultimately, you need to draw a line in the sand now that you’re overcoming a pornography addiction and hold your head high. And perhaps you can use this life experience to inspire and support others.
After all, you’re not the first person to overcome pornography, and you bet you won’t be the last. Yet, you’ve come so far and put in such effort and willpower that it’s absolutely something to be proud of and celebrate.
Sustainable Small Wins
You may relapse. That’s OK. You might find some days extremely difficult. That’s OK. The native impact of pornography might stick around in your head for quite some time. Again, all completely normal and nothing to worry about.
This is a marathon, not a race, and making small changes in your life will help you to move forward in a positive and proud way. You are already winning the battle against your pornography addiction, and the truth is, you’re braver, stronger, and more capable than you’d ever know. Trust in yourself and trust in the process.
