Love Letters to a Porn Addict: How Patience, Self-Compassion and Forgiveness Can Help You Find the Courage to Leave Porn Behind Forever

Few things are as demoralizing as the feeling that you're trapped. Porn traps its users in a cycle of frustration, self-loathing and despair. In such a weakened state, is it surprising that so many good men struggle to find a way out? This book can help you to change the way you think, so you can find the strength to leave porn behind and pursue a life of success, satisfaction and fulfilment.

The book is entitled “Love Letters to a Porn Addict.” I call them ‘love letters,’ because each chapter is written to you by a fellow human being who is motivated by love for you. We’re not talking about romantic or erotic love, of course. This is the type of love the ancient Greeks and early Christian writers called 'agape,' pure altruistic love based on nothing more than wanting the best for the other person. True, we’ve never met. But I assure you, I want you to succeed. The purpose of these love letters is to give you the confidence to know that you can live a life without porn.

What about the term ‘addict’ in the book’s title? I know it’s controversial. In this book, I freely use the term ‘addiction’ to describe the relationship many people have with porn. True, some scientists question whether it is a real addiction, comparable to alcoholism, nicotine, or other drugs. I’d be the first to admit that they may be right. Possibly the effect of porn on the brain is quite different. The jury is still out.

But when you think about it, that’s hardly the point, is it? Ask anyone who’s been hooked on porn whether they were addicted. If it’s not an addiction, then it sure as heck feels like one. My non-scientific, common-sense definition of addiction is this: Feeling unable to stop engaging in an activity that you know is bad for you and wish to avoid. If you feel porn is harming your mental well-being, your family life, your relationships, your career, or your spirituality, and you want to stop but have been unable to, then for all practical purposes, you are addicted.

This book will help you to see the need to love and accept yourself, while gently nudging you to be better. You'll learn the value of self-forgiveness, self-care and self-compassion. You'll see areas in which we can change our thinking to maximize our chances of success. And we'll talk about how to remain positive if things don't go according to plan.

Chapters:
Chapter 1: You Deserve Love, Not Criticism
Chapter 2: You’re Not a Bad Person for Failing; You’re a Good Person for Trying
Chapter 3: You Are a Work in Progress
Chapter 4: Forgiveness Is Your Friend
Chapter 5: Don’t Get Furious, Get Curious
Chapter 6: Celebrate the Beautiful Gift of Free Will
Chapter 7: Connect to Your Deep Reasons
Chapter 8: You Can Deal With Temptations
Chapter 9: Giving Your Body and Your Mind the Care They Deserve
Chapter 10: Have the Faith to Know that Success Is Yours
Chapter 11: What to Do If You Slip
Conclusion: The Power of Hope