As a sober alcoholic (35 years sober) I personally found the 12 steps of AA instrumental in my recovery. For step 5, I went to the local priest ( my first confession in a lot of years) and after I left the church, my "white knuckle" sobriety left me and I lost all desire to drink. I haven't had a drink since.
I use to have a huge addiction to pornography and Deo Gratias I've been able to overcome it going on 15 years now but even now there still a temptation! Any time I'm tempted with any impure thoughts I pray "Blessed Mother Most Pure, pray for us!" Over and over again until that temptation goes away. Works every time!
@Mike Irish: Thanks for your statement. Same here for 20+ years. Since 2 years I´m free. What helped me the most was/is accountability software and an accountable partner that you can talk to in all honesty. Doing sports also helps. But now I get my dopamin on youtube. Watching too many (harmless) clips is still an issue. The battle is going on. I need to learn to suffer peacefully.
Going through the nature of addictions is necessary for us to better understand ourselves as well as help our family and friends. Thanks for being here! Please help us spread the word by sharing on social media!
Regarding mortifications, I think it's beneficial to pry myself from doing what I prefer and do something that is helpful to someone else in the family. And it's actually more gratifying too.
I am doing a study program with Bob Proctor. His teachings on personal development are based on understanding the role paradigms have in our lives. Those who struggle with addiction would benefit greatly from his programs.
Something to think about. Christ did NOT seek to suffer. He went out of his way to RELIEVE the suffering of others. Be careful. Pain and suffering produce the SAME rush of endogenous pleasure that sex and sugar do. They are also addictive, think about masochism... Make love the centre of your healing, not pain.
