Make it something else

I 31(M) have dealt on and off with porn for 15ish years. “Dealt with” means attempted (and failed) to quit. I’ll go a week, a month, max has been a good few months but never kept track of days. I’ve watched it consistently for just about 15-16 years. Makes me feel old reading you guys (18-25) bc it’s really so much worse for you guys it hurts. It’s everywhere and it wasn’t when I got hooked. Perhaps the ritual of finding time, setting everything up, and not getting caught added to the thrill when I was younger but once the thrill is gone and you’re left with the habit, shit sucks.

I dropped lore to say I’ve really been my best when I separated myself from my addiction. Recognized that you’re not your addiction. You’re actively aware of it. Make it something else. Make it a monster, make it your enemy, make it anything you feel safe hating. You have to hate it. You have to hate it more than you love the feeling. No compromises, no deals, no peeks.

And it hurts. Sometimes I could swear there’s physical pain with quitting. Not necessarily in a particular part but just a general unwellness. This is from fighting your “something else”. It HATES when you choose yourself. When you prioritize something over addiction it’ll rattle your cage and rage. At that moment you need to remember why you started and just watch. Watch the subject rage and scream for the thing you know you’re not gonna give it. There’s a sick delight in knowing you have that power of something that lives for it.

I don’t have any horror stories like you guys do but I feel all of the pain in this thread. An easy thing to remember triggers is HALT.
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. Which emotion is your trigger and watch your mind. Watch your mind very closely for when you start spiraling into porn use. For most of us I imagine it may be lonely so stay mindful.

I’m here to talk. I don’t judge and talking to you all helps me too. Stay strong everybody we got this.