I have used porn and graduated to camming, and meeting people for sex I want to stop and hope I can. I also want to be honest with people I have hurt (my wife) or are unaware (my family) as to why I have gone down this self-destructive path. However part of me feels by trying to classify this as an addiction (a self diagnosed one at that) I am in part trying to excuse my behaviour and not truly accepting what I have done. I'm just curious what people think about labelling such behaviour a result of an addiction
It definitely is an addication and you came to the right place. Keep posting and get into some reading on here and you will learn a lot.
Not at all. You have an addiction and YOU are responsible for it. YOU chose this behaviour and only YOU can choose to refrain from it. The fact we are addicted does not suggest we can abdicate our responsibility. So, take up the challenge.
Take up the challenge mate. You know that camming / sexting etc is not what you want to be doing. It will destroy you and your family life if left unchecked.
thanks for the replies guys. I think it has already destroyed my family life, but that is the wakeup call I needed because I couldn't see myself quitting properly before. The more I think about it the more I realise that giving it up completely is the only way as I obviously am unable to exercise self control. I always thought I 'd be able to just use porn occasionally, but now I see how it has been a gateway to worse behaviour and acting out. Even now I struggle to accept I should never look at porn again, as it has been something I've done my entire adult life, but I know I will never be a better person unless I can cut it out completely. Looking at it in those terms I realise it must be an addiction, and one I must overcome. Yes I was addicted, and weak, and did terrible things, and I must take responsibility for that, but now I have to be stronger and overcome my weaknesses otherwise what hope is there.
An addiction doesn't mean you should feel ok with your behaviour. I see using the word addiction as a way of being ''less hard on yourself'' and accepting that it will be difficult to let go of the behaviour.
