When most people think about addicts and recovery, they imagine coming back from things like hard drugs or alcohol. However, any activity can become an addiction if it adversely affects your life, and porn can be just as damaging as any drug.
However, porn addiction doesn’t have to be your downfall. No matter what kind of issues you face as a result of your behaviors, you can recover and put yourself back on the right path, both spiritually and mentally.
Today we’re going to discuss the best way to make amends when recovering from porn addiction. Your actions don’t only affect you – they can impact everyone in your life and create a ripple effect you may not even realize.
For many people, making amends is the most challenging aspect of recovery because it means confronting your actions externally, not internally. Nonetheless, with a strong foundation of support and commitment, this step doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Let’s see the best ways to make amends during this process.
Realize That You Have an Addiction
Because porn has gradually become more and more mainstream, many people don’t think that they are addicted to it. They believe that their actions are nothing harmful and that there’s nothing wrong with it.
This dismissive attitude is the first thing that has to change if you’re going to recover from your addiction. Waving away your actions as if they are normal or healthy is never going to provide the relief you and your loved ones deserve.
For that reason, you have to first come to terms with the idea that you are addicted and that it’s affecting those around you. Until you can accept that, your amends and your recovery will never feel sincere, nor will it last. Excuses will become your worst enemy.
Understand the Effects and Impacts of Your Addiction
Part of the reason that many porn addicts don’t feel like they are affecting anyone is that their addiction is deeply personal. You hide your shame from the world, so as long as it’s not hurting anyone else, what’s the problem, right?
However, just because you don’t see or experience the pain created by your actions doesn’t mean that it’s not there. Just as you hide your activities, your friends and loved ones may not show these effects publicly to you.
When you’re ready to accept the path of recovery, you have to understand the impact of your addiction and how it can be widespread to those around you. Talking with loved ones about how your addiction has affected them can help you find the strength to make amends the right way.
Overall, you should try to put yourself in the mindset of others impacted by your behaviors. What thoughts and feelings are going through their head? Putting yourself in their shoes will help you address the issue more proactively and ensure that your amends will be sincere.
Make a List of People Affected by Your Addiction
Because this step is a challenge for most addicts, it can be easy to dismiss all of those affected by your actions. To ensure that you don’t overlook anyone, it can help to create a list of everyone within your circle who have experienced the effects of your addiction firsthand.
This list doesn’t have to be formal, but it should be comprehensive. It can not only help you figure out the best way to approach these people, but it can also provide context for the impact your behavior has caused.
When you see how many are affected by your addiction, it can motivate you to commit to recovery and make sure that you don’t relapse in the future.
Commit to Making Amends
As we mentioned, this is one of the hardest things that addicts have to do to recover from their behaviors. Thus, most of them fail this crucial step, which can cause the rest of their recovery to crumble as well.
When making amends, it’s imperative that you commit yourself to finishing the job and following through. Make sure that you can cross every name off of your list. Doing so will not only allow you to move forward, but it will enable you to find the strength to commit to a long-term solution.
Strength Through Faith
If you find yourself wavering during this process, you should find comfort and strength in God and your faith. Prayer and reflection can give you incredible resilience to face your fears and conquer them. You are not alone during this experience – let your faith guide you to success.
Accept Your Responses
Although you have committed to changing your behavior and recover from your addiction, not everyone will be as forgiving of your actions. One obstacle that stands in your way is someone close to you not accepting your apology.
If this does happen, it’s crucial not to lose focus of why you’re doing this in the first place.
Making amends is not something you do to make you feel better – it’s to show those affected by your addiction that you are committed to recovery.
In the end, even if someone does not accept your amends, you have to accept their response. It may not be the answer you want, but you can’t force them to change their mind. All you can ask for is forgiveness, but you cannot dictate if or when it is given.
Bottom Line
No matter how bad things may seem, no matter how your addiction has affected others, it’s critical that you follow through on this step. It’s never too late to say you’re sorry.
