Porn Relapse

Are you facing a porn addiction relapse? Does it feel like you have lost all the progress you made? Well, a relapse can be really discouraging. It makes you feel hopeless and questions your ability to ever break free.

However, relapsing during addiction recovery is more common than many realize. In fact, I have worked with many porn addicts who successfully overcome porn addiction despite experiencing relapses. After all, it’s a natural part of the recovery journey. 

Now, this does not mean that relapse is always a positive thing. No. However, a simple mindset shift, a better action plan, and strengthened determination can change your short-term failures into long-term recovery!

So, today we will explore what to do in Case of a Porn Relapse. Here is your guide to getting back on track. 

What Exactly is a Porn Relapse?

Before we get to your guide to getting back on track in case of a porn relapse, let’s quickly see what exactly is a porn relapse and some signs you have relapsed.

A porn relapse happens when someone who is trying to stop watching porn falls back into their addictive behaviors and does so regularly.

Now, it isn’t just a one-time lapse that counts. No. Imagine trying to quit a bad habit, and after a small slip, you quickly get back on track. That slip is not a relapse. It is repeating the behavior you wanted to quit that shows you have stopped focusing on your recovery. 

Relapses are actually quite common for people recovering from porn addiction.  In fact, studies show that 40-70% of people trying to overcome porn addiction experience a relapse at some point. 

You see, the thing is, many who successfully overcome addiction have experienced setbacks along the way. The difference lies in their ability to handle these setbacks and continue moving forward, NOT BACK TO YOUR ADDICTION.  

Remember, Relapse is Not Inevitable; it is always a possibility. So plan, prepare, work, and prevail against Relapse, not to continue in Relapse.

3 Important Steps In Case of a Porn Addiction Relapse:

Here are three main things to do in case of face a porn relapse:

1. Accept What’s Happened

You have been doing well, staying away from porn for a while. But then, unexpectedly, you find yourself slipping back into old habits. The first instinct might be to pretend it didn’t happen, live in self-denial, and continue doing it. 

Well, it’s understandable. Sometimes, facing a relapse can feel like a heavy blow. You may feel overwhelmed with guilt and shame, thinking you have let yourself down. 

But it’s essential to remember that relapses are a common part of the recovery journey. 

So, accepting what’s happened is the first step towards healing instead of denying or hiding from it.

Remember, you are not alone in this. Many others have been where you are now, and they have found a way through it. So take a deep breath, acknowledge what’s happened, come to terms with it, and prepare yourself to get back on track. 

Getting back on track can make all the difference, not living in self-denial. 

2. Identify What Went Wrong

Understanding the reasons behind the relapse is very important for preventing it from happening again. So, take some time to reflect on what led up to it. Was it stress, boredom, or loneliness? 

Think about the moments leading up to the relapse. What were you feeling? What were you doing? Understanding these factors can give you valuable insights into your patterns and behaviors. Maybe you let your guard down, stopped practicing your coping mechanisms, or found yourself in a triggering situation.

Once you pinpoint what went wrong, you can get an idea of which areas or behaviors need more work. 

3. Make an Action Plan to Get Back on Track

Now that you have accepted the relapse and identified its triggers, it’s time to regroup and refocus.

Start by taking a step back and reassessing your existing strategies. Think about what has worked for you in the past and what hasn’t. Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses. 

Moreover, it’s time to adjust your approach. The methods you used before might not be hitting the mark anymore, but that doesn’t mean your whole plan was off. It just needs some new effective steps. After all, when something isn’t working, we don’t throw it all away. Instead, we make improvements to make it work better. 

That’s what you need to do now—refine your action plan to get back on course and stick to it. Well, I have some tips. 

Let’s explore them in detail in the next section.

How Can I Get Back on Track After a Porn Relapse?

Feeling off-track after a porn relapse is natural. But this doesn’t mean you have lost it all. With determination and willingness, you can always get back. So, let’s get back on track together with these simple steps:

• Practice Self-Compassion: First things first, be kind to yourself. Acknowledge that slipping up is part of the journey and doesn’t define your worth. Instead of beating yourself up, focus on getting back on track, regaining control, and moving forward. 
• Reaffirm Your Goals: Why did you decide to quit porn addiction? Think about your future with the looming consequences of porn addiction. Every time there is an urge, remind yourself why you started the recovery journey in the first place. Use that as motivation to stay on track.
• Talk to Someone: Don’t go through this alone. Reach out for support, whether it’s some support group, a therapist, or a trusted friend. Sharing your struggles can prove a great help in lightening the burden and providing valuable support.
• Give up the All-or-Nothing Mentality: Remember, a small slip-up doesn’t erase all your progress. Do not think of going back to your addiction. All-or-nothing is never the way to win against your addiction. It’s the small but consistent effects that counts. So, focus on getting things back on track.
• Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Find alternative ways to cope with stress and difficult emotions. You can try exercising, journaling, joining a sports club, or spending time with loved ones. Find what works for you and stick with it.
• Address Underlying Issues: Consider what might be triggering your relapses. Are there underlying issues, such as poor stress management, boredom, or low self-esteem, that need to be addressed? Work on handling these root causes to prevent future setbacks.
• Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or meditation can help you stay grounded.
• Keep the temptation out: Consider additional measures such as a reliable porn blocker or Chrome extension to keep out the temptation and support your journey.
• Avoid Overcorrection: Just like when driving, overcompensating after a slip-up can lead to more harm than good. Instead of panicking, gently drive yourself back on your recovery path without dwelling on the past. Do not overcommit, even if it’s to yourself. 
• Remember Your Successes: Celebrate your progress so far. Even if you have had a setback, acknowledge the victories along the way and use them as inspiration to keep moving forward.
• Consider Professional Help: If you struggle to regain control, don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance. Therapists and online resources can offer specialized guidance tailored to your needs.

At the end of the day, remember, my friend, relapse doesn’t mean failure. It’s a bump in the road, not the end of your journey. Think about the progress you have made (however small). And to handle the porn relapse best, reach out for support—friends, family, or a therapist—for help. Identify what triggers your relapse and make a plan to avoid them in the future. 

Remember, it’s not about perfection but progress. You are stronger than you think. You can overcome this setback. 

Keep pushing forward!

Porn Relapse – FAQs