How can I end my sex addiction?

Dont hide from your pain. You have to deal with it or it will control you forever leading you to darker addictions.

 

You need to talk to someone like a therapist not a priest I’m so sick of guys coming on her with there faith and religion
trying to shame men, you have severe impulse control issues talk to a doctor about therapy and ADD medication.
You need to find a passion in life away from the damn computer

 

Hey, thanks for sharing. I understand this problem has been plaguing you for a while. For many of us it has been the same. How long have you tried to quit? Feel like sharing more of your history?

If you think you need help as you say, what you need to do is go find it. Try talking about it with somebody, like a good friend or parent. I know it's hard to bring up but seriously, friends won't judge you. A therapist is another option. Online is an alternative, but not as good because it is anonymous and usually only text. I've heard of some zoom groups, I think this site has one though it is behind a paywall. There are some free ones I belief also, like Sexaholics Anonymous. They also have real life groups.

However you do it, in my experience it is really important not to keep it private. I mean, you don't have to shout it from the roofs or anything, but let some people know what you are going through.Shame is part of the addiction for many, and by sharing you can start to overcome that.

 

I don't know if you had a bad experience with religion and/or faith, since your wording very much indicate that, either that's the case, or you have not experienced/heard/read anything good from it. Nobody mentioned religion or faith before you, but just a note: priests in our days receive training in psychology and counseling. I can already hear an objection to this, but also to clarify, I am not suggesting OP to go to a priest, but things need to be cleared up. A priest who engages in counseling is, by nature, not going to push a shame narrative, as you seem to be implying.

Now, OP, you say that you have a problem with sexual thoughts. You need to understand that thoughts are just thoughts and do not define who you are. You are not bound to act on those thoughts. However, when these thoughts are recurrent, pervasive, and cause anxiety, it is time to seek counseling/therapy. This might be a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder, and it would be good for you to explore that possibility. No shame in seeking help.

You say that you don't want to end up as a lost cause. This should be a good motivation. Fight hard, my guy; seek the help you need; commit to it. Be disciplined. You hit an important point: maybe something you're going through or is part of your personal history is driving you to use porn/masturbation/food/etc. as coping mechanisms. If you want freedom, you need to explore these things, and the best way to do it is in therapy. Again, bro, no shame in seeking help. We all deal with stuff, and I'm sure you can overcome this if you engage in this battle with all that you have, using all the tools you can get, and finding the healing you need.

 

I made it. I am a recovering p. and s. addict, almost 4 years sober, I reached great stability in this. It is long to explain here, I will send you a message so I can help you. I know what you are going through, the good news is you can break free from it for good. At first in my try and fail phase, i would read the "success stories" in this forum and that encouraged me even more

 

I agree, absolutely do not talk with a priest, or pastor, etc. they are unable of offering real help and advice. Best bet is a Csat or trauma therapist.

 

I'm happy that you disclosed this issue with some family. My family doesn't take porn or sex addiction seriously, but yours may be different.

A 10-day streak is incredible. I'm proud of you. I think you should try for an 11-day streak.