Sexual, Masturbation and Porn Addiction Help Forum

I'm brand new to the forum. I may be a little different from most people on this forum because I am not religious (athough I completely respect and admire those who are); I simply want to be free of something that I find to be destructive.

I have known that I have had a problem for a while, but I just recently decided to seek help. I am a fairly frequent porn viewer and have been for several years. I have made attempts to stop in the past only to revert back to my habits.

I have decided to avoid serious relationships while I work my way through college and grad school, and I always tried to justify using porn as a substitute - figuring it was better than random hookups with people I meet at bars. I now see the error in this judgment.

So far it has cost me no money and has not seriously jeopardized any of my relationships (at least not that I can see), and I want to keep it that way. Is there any advice or tips that anyone can give me to help break my habit before it costs me dearly? Is there anyone who would be willing to act as a support buddy through e-mail?

I have discussed the matter with a few family members, and they suggested therapy, but I don't have the insurance to cover it. Is there anything else I can do?

I would greatly appreciate any help.

Thanks.

Jarhead, thanks for your post. It sounds like you have come to the place that we all have in admitting we need help. I admire you because you have talked to family members and sought advice, and I am too ashamed to admit my problem to my family members. So, you are doing the right things, I think. Porn is certainly no substitute for relationships, but I could see myself rationalizing that in your situation, too. There are some groups like Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) that I think might be helpful. I don't know much about these groups because I don't know if I could join a group so openly yet. But, I have found this forum to be a great start in my journey to wholeness in being free from sexual addiction. Thanks for saying that you respect my religious faith. I think it is great to have people of all backgrounds on this site to show that this is not just a concern of religious groups, but it relates to a truly universal human concern. Thanks for joining.

Thanks Mitch,

Reading through the forum has helped. It seems relatively simple, but I feel that reading through some other stories has helped my resolve a little. Hopefully I can ride this feeling and make a true change. I appreciate the advice and the encouragement.

Thanks.

Jarhead - thanks for joining the forum. I myself am new and joined less than a week ago. It's refreshing to see that despite being non-religious, you see the negative effects that porn can have, and you want to change. I'm religious, and like you, also working through school - though I am also married. Speaking to your family must be pretty tough - I don't think I could tell my family what I go through, or what I've done.
Personally, I think the best thing about this site is that it allows for open discussion on a topic that men would rather not discuss. I think (as you mentioned) that just reading the stories, and speaking to others helps - because you realize that you are not alone - and we as men all know how taboo porn and masturbation are.
As for help, speaking to a counsellor may help. Joining a group or forum (like here) may also help. Both can provide cognitive and behavioural strategies you may find useful. I think that at least if you don't find what you need here, you can make use of what is offered, in addition to any other treatment you may seek.
I wish you the best for finding what you need...