Hey forum, found this site around a month ago from another forum and it has been very informative. The fact there is a community where people help each other is excellent and I wish to be a part of this.

Before I start, I should introduce myself.

Hello again,

It can be easy to lost in the escape that is pornography, but as all you know the sobering reality strikes you in the face worse than board with a nail in it. Well this post isn't about a relapse, but an example of how things could be worse for anyone out there on a dopamine low and feeling out of it.

As you grow stronger day by day, and always learn from your mistakes, you are on your way. The path through this jungle may seem clear in beginning, but one soon learns of the pitfalls and snakes holding forbidden apples. In the depths it may seem dark, but your strength can light the fire to illuminate the darkness. Embody the belief that you are the warrior, and the harpies shall not effect you in the slightest. Bold and full of courage you know one day you will see the bright blue sky and be free. Empowered you can live along side the evil, but have no desire to slip back into the abyss.

I don't beat myself up over mistakes that just happen. I don't count days with masturbation, for I'm single and that just reminds me of the whole thing. I never though got fallout from masturbation alone, and the porn problem didn't get really bad until I got into extreme porn. Then major dopamine problems seemed to arise.

Ha well I hope someone enjoys the pun in the title. Might as well have a little background due to this being my first post. I'm a student in college now, been viewing porn since an early age when my brother found my father's playboys. Actually wait, it was earlier with my brother and his friends trying to catch a glimpse of female anatomy on the scrambled channel. Even as a little kid I thought it was a little strange that people can watch something for hours hoping to find something. At the time I didn't know there was a difference in parts between men and women down there.

HERE'S A SEVEN MINUTE NPR SEGMENT RELATED TO THE ARTICLE - "Listen to Cake Topple Your Brain"
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist...

HERE'S THE ARTICLE:
Blame It on the Brain
The latest neuroscience research suggests spreading resolutions out over time is the best approach

By JONAH LEHRER
Willpower, like a bicep, can only exert itself so long before it gives out; it's an extremely limited mental resource.

On the subject of addiction, but also on other subjects, too, I'd like to recommend a book I found very helpful called

The book arrived in my PO Box from Amazon last week, and I have devoured it. Addiction as an Attachment Disorder by Philip J. Flores. It is written in somewhat clinical language but it has helped me understand my own experience of addiction, and what I have seen in others' experiences.