I received a question from one of my clients this past week about what I really mean when I say porn addiction comes from resistance, and how resistance leads to addiction. I wanted to address that question directly this week.
It can be very challenging to overcome porn addiction. In part, this is because pornography addiction masks many underlying issues that are hard for us to see. Addiction is a symptom of underlying mental and emotional struggles.
Many think that the way to stop porn addiction is to get an internet filter, get an accountability buddy, make sure not to have your devices around you at vulnerable times, avoid triggers, and other common solutions. These things can help, but they are ultimately not the solution for recovery.
In my experience working with addicts and my own recovery from multiple addictions, I've come to understand that the root of addiction is simpler than we might think.
At first glance this solution may sound strange, but I want you to open your mind and heart, and listen to what I’m about to tell you.
The solution to break free from porn addiction is not resistance or fighting the addiction as we so often think. We think we simply need to control ourselves, and make certain that we don't give in. But this mentality of resistance/control is actually the source of addiction itself.
We seek out addiction BECAUSE we suffer with a spirit of resistance. Perfectionism, control, shame, fear, pride - these are the true roots of addiction, and they all stem from a desire to resist the present moment and to resist help from God and others.
When we are addicted to porn (or anything), in essence it is because we are unwilling to accept the difficulties and challenges of life.
We are unwilling to accept our feelings of weakness, insecurity, and inadequacy.
We resist discomfort, and we won’t allow help from God and others.
This stress that stems from our mentality of resistance/control/escape leads us to unhealthy coping mechanisms like addiction. We then try to overcome addiction using the same habits of resistance that led us to it in the first place.
In this episode, I’ll teach you a different, far more effective way to break free from porn addiction.
DOWNLOAD MY FREE EBOOK to help you overcome porn addiction
Defining Addiction and Recovery PDF
Porn Recovery Coaching for Christians
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