I shared part of my early story in the SAA newsletter
The article is about the desperate lengths I went to to control my addiction through "willpower" and self-punishment.
There were some changes that the organization made, so you can read the original unedited version I submitted here.
This story was written before I worked through all 12 Steps and began sponsoring others in the Primary Purpose method. Much has changed since then (for the better!).
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- Things I Tried That Didn't Work
- My PMO Symptoms
(active addction with Pornography, Masturbation, and Orgasm [PMO] on a daily basis) - Recovery Benefits
(Written after experiencing my first chunk of time away from PMO).
I thought they were all religious and controlling and I had no interest in them. I tried almost anything else I could think of first:
Here's kind of a "before and after" picture of my recovery, in terms of symptoms:
- Service
Volunteering -- helping out my local community, friends, and fellows without any reward.
This can include small tasks like writing a positive review for someone, picking up trash, or bigger tasks
such as donating significant time and energy to host a meeting or provide support calls. - Unity
This is related to fellowship / community with other addicts. Am I attending meetings multiple times a week? Am I calling fellow addicts?
Am I being an agent of harmony and cohesion in the fellowship, or am I gossiping and creating conflict? - Recovery
This is quite simply, the 12 Steps.
Am I doing my regular Step 2 / Step 11 meditation work and living a spiritual life?
Am I practicing the rigorous honesty and regular inventory work? Am I admitting wrongs prompty and making Amends? Do I call my sponsor regularly?
The magic of these, is that if I do them to the best of my ability each day, I don't have to relapse anymore.
Central to my recovery is the 3 Legacies.
I often refer to them as "the cheat code to sobriety."
The 3 legacies are common to all 12-Step programs. They consist of:
I've never met anyone that does all 3 of these and relapses.
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