Overcoming porn requires you to...

Destroy the sources of porn

(Our thanks to Sam Sabastian and Free in Christ for permission to use most of the suggestions on this page.)

The information presented here will help you destroy most (and hopefully all) sources of porn in your life. The effectiveness of these suggestions depends on your actions.

Tell someone - perhaps a friend or pastor - that you intend to destroy all sources to your pornography, and to take serious preventative measures. Ask them to follow-up on your plan (share this plan with them).

THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IS AT THE END OF THIS LIST...

• Delete electronic email addresses from your computer or online email to cut off your access to those you've been in unhealthy affairs etc.
  


• Remove those bumper stickers or license plate frames on your cars that remind you of a lifestyle you wish to leave behind.
  


• Replace the car-scent thing that hangs in your car with one without graphic pictures.
  


• Remove all the images from your locker at the gym.*
  


• If you have a fireplace, burn it all. Follow your local fire codes. We suggest that you shred cds (cd shredders are available). Use cross-cut shredders for paper.
  


• Other items not listed here that support your addiction.
  


• After the destruction party, throw it all into the trash!
  


• Delete any (inappropriate) websites you have created*.
  


• Burn, shred or destroy any written materials or written records of websites or sources where you have found porn. 
  


• Go through your computer completely and destroy all images you have saved. Do not back up these files - erase them.
  


• Format all external disks where you store the images - floppy disks, zip disks, etc (not your hard drive) using "full format" feature.
  


• Use "Defrag" feature - see your computer manual or the help file on your computer.
  


• Go through your "favorites" or "bookmarks" ("favorites" is for Microsoft Internet Explorer, "bookmarks" is for Netscape Navigator) Delete all references to your addiction.
  


• Call your phone company and place a block on area code 900 phone calls.
  


• Stop renting the wrong types of movies.
  


• Change your routine where you eat meals or "entertainment".
  


• Change your "entertainment" so you are not exposed to temptation. This can mean different things for different people.
  


• If your roommate has anything in this list and doesn't want to get rid of them - you may have to move out!
  


• If your addiction is one with another person other than your wife or committed partner, restore yourself with your wife or partner and do whatever is necessary to end the wrong relationship. Get guidance from a pastor, priest, counselor or close friend who has a lot of integrity.
  


• For travelers, tell the front desk to unauthorize or disable the naughty cable channels, or ask them to remove the television from the room. Don't rent the bad or questionable movies.
  


• While traveling, If you go somewhere to use internet service - take a person with integrity with you.
  


• While traveling, make arrangements with someone at your home (or in one of the support groups listed in the links page) - to call them when you arrive at the hotel - let them know you're not going to go to the wrong places. Be honest.
  


• Do not go through this alone!
  


• Go get filtered Internet!

Make a commitment not to return to your past. Maintain this by finding someone you can trust and be accountable about your plan so you don't go back. Do not delude yourself by thinking you can view "safer images" or "safer sites" there is no such thing as a "safer" site. You must admit that you are deluding yourself with these "safer sites," so you and you alone have the responsibility to do something about this little sneaky/peeky game that leads you to something worse.

This is like an alcoholic saying "I won't drink, I'll just lick the outside of this glass of rum". You wouldn't drink just a "safe" amount of strychnine, would you? 

LASTLY, AND MOST IMPORTANT - Develop a spiritual hunger for God - the closer you draw to God, the less and less you will want porn. Learn to seek God every day with your whole heart and mind.

* Destroy anything that supports your habit in any way - graphic pictures, words, etc. The bottom line is: if it's bad for you, it needs to be destroyed and eradicated from your life...

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