Can't live without sex

To answer your question "is there any hope to heal from this obsession," yes! Many community members like you and I share their experience, strength, and hope...and their victories and setbacks. This community has been established to give people like you and I hope to heal. Keep reading the boards and connecting with others in similar circumstances. There's a lot of work involved, which can include failure, but we get back up and keep going strong. Good luck to you brother.

 

Sex is a drive, I think if you really dig deep what you will find is a need for intimacy. When the intimacy is filled properly( through connections with people) you don’t feel the “ need” for sex or porn to the same degree. It took my husband 2 years into recovery before he realized that what he thought was his sex drive was really stress levels that he mistook for libido because he has always relieved stress with pmo. What he realized was he had a huge need for connection that he tried to fill with pmo because he was IA, so far to afraid to actually connect with anyone. He had to work through that along with sobriety from pmo.

 

With a lot of help, a lot of time, and a lot of work. Far more than just coming on a supportive site and writing about it. I can tell you my husband invests at least 10-20 hours a week into his recovery( depending on the week, circumstances and his stress levels). He goes to group meetings, counseling, journals, volunteers, reads, and talks with accountability partners and myself. He’s been working recovery for 4 years. Every tool helps, getting rid of internet, limiting screen time, investing in friendships and relationships in general. Those deep automatic choices require a lot of time, work, pain, and commitment to change. Emdr, cbt, sometimes medication or neurofeedback. It takes complete honesty, with yourself as well as others.

 

Hey man. I definitely feel for ya and I've been in the same boat. If you need an AP, hit my PM.

Laters.