Have you given up technology like smartphones to recover?

[SebUK]

I've decided to give my iPhone to my mum, and take her old Nokia with no web browser. I decided to finally do this because I keep relapsing on my phone. No matter how 'secure' it is - parental controls, restriction passcode etc etc - I always find a way around it.

Ideally I would be able to control these desires but in my experience this has been an abject failure. The only real successes I have had have been where I've given up the technology that allows me to access porn in the first place. But it's really hard and annoying seeing all this cool new technology and realising that if I were to use it, it would be like giving a bottle of vodka to an alcoholic.

Having said that, I wonder if anyone else is in the same boat. Have you guys had to reduce your access to technology to recover? How have you coped?

 

[Thought_Addict]

It makes good sense. Like a detox period. I'd just suggest during this time to remind yourself consistently that your smart phone DOESN'T = Porn and that you are simply making a mature boundary decision in the early stages to build some momentum.

Awesome work Sebuk, thanks for sharing!

 

[SebUK]

It makes good sense. Like a detox period. I'd just suggest during this time to remind yourself consistently that your smart phone DOESN'T = Porn and that you are simply making a mature boundary decision in the early stages to build some momentum.

Awesome work Sebuk, thanks for sharing!

That's a good qualification which I hadn't really thought about. I need to keep in mind that my phone doesn't = porn. The problem is in my case I have so little self control that having access to the internet automatically results in porn :-(

 

[Promise]

Don't worry SebUK, I used to spend hours browsing the internet to find any sort of porn that wasn't censored by K9.  Ultimately, if the addict wants porn, it can get porn.  Like Thought_Addict says, you've made a mature decision and set a boundary in place.  Eventually you won't even want to look at porn, then all these safety nets can be removed.  Don't be ashamed of your self-control, 'tis the foibles of addiction

 

[William]

I've decided to give my iPhone to my mum, and take her old Nokia with no web browser. I decided to finally do this because I keep relapsing on my phone. No matter how 'secure' it is - parental controls, restriction passcode etc etc - I always find a way around it.

Ideally I would be able to control these desires but in my experience this has been an abject failure. The only real successes I have had have been where I've given up the technology that allows me to access porn in the first place. But it's really hard and annoying seeing all this cool new technology and realising that if I were to use it, it would be like giving a bottle of vodka to an alcoholic.

Having said that, I wonder if anyone else is in the same boat. Have you guys had to reduce your access to technology to recover? How have you coped?

Very smart.  If your smart phone is your Achilles heel, then get a dumb phone during the reboot.  I do not suggest giving up technology long term, but for the 90 reboot, give up what you must to stay totally away from porn, like Promise says.  Remember, this is a short term fix.  At over a year out I don't even use porn blockers any more, do not need to, but I kept them on for the first seven months, whether I needed them or not, just to avoid problems.  Once you are clean, you won't want it, won't need it, won't crave it.  Then you will be free.

Peace.

 

[fightthefight]

I've never got a smartphone, despite the obvious benefits of having one (immediate answers to questions, sat nav in my pocket etc.) for this very reason. I used to have an iPod touch but eventually sold it because I was using it to browse for porn whilst having controls installed on my computer. Eventually I will probably get a smartphone, but frankly I can do without it 99% of the time and it's a small price to pay for being able to enjoy freedom

 

[SebUK]

I've decided to give my iPhone to my mum, and take her old Nokia with no web browser. I decided to finally do this because I keep relapsing on my phone. No matter how 'secure' it is - parental controls, restriction passcode etc etc - I always find a way around it.

Ideally I would be able to control these desires but in my experience this has been an abject failure. The only real successes I have had have been where I've given up the technology that allows me to access porn in the first place. But it's really hard and annoying seeing all this cool new technology and realising that if I were to use it, it would be like giving a bottle of vodka to an alcoholic.

Having said that, I wonder if anyone else is in the same boat. Have you guys had to reduce your access to technology to recover? How have you coped?

Very smart.  If your smart phone is your Achilles heel, then get a dumb phone during the reboot.  I do not suggest giving up technology long term, but for the 90 reboot, give up what you must to stay totally away from porn, like Promise says.  Remember, this is a short term fix.  At over a year out I don't even use porn blockers any more, do not need to, but I kept them on for the first seven months, whether I needed them or not, just to avoid problems.  Once you are clean, you won't want it, won't need it, won't crave it.  Then you will be free.

Peace.

Yeah I agree, I just need to get through the reboot. My counsellor today also said I need to make sure I can have a 'relationship' with the internet that doesn't involve destructive use of porn. That seems very far away at the moment but would be ideal. I hate giving up all the technology because of this damn problem!

 

[SebUK]

I've never got a smartphone, despite the obvious benefits of having one (immediate answers to questions, sat nav in my pocket etc.) for this very reason. I used to have an iPod touch but eventually sold it because I was using it to browse for porn whilst having controls installed on my computer. Eventually I will probably get a smartphone, but frankly I can do without it 99% of the time and it's a small price to pay for being able to enjoy freedom

I'm having withdrawals at the moment! Not as bad as porn but still noticeable. I feel a bit naked without it - even though when I gave it up many features were already disabled. I'm sure, like you, I will adjust. The 1990s weren't so bad and freedom is worth it like you say