As a professional life coach  and a man who formerly struggled with a pornography addiction for many years, I’m a big believer in the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Sexaholics Anonymous, and other addiction recovery programs. I find that the 12 Steps are just as appropriate to working a program of recovery from pornography addiction as they are to recovery from drug and alcohol addictions.

Although the “Anonymous” programs are not Christian programs or even religious programs, I believe the 12 Steps are biblically sound. I tend to believe that God inspired them as a sort of “stealth repentance program” to reach those of his children who wouldn’t normally think of their problem in terms of sin, repentance and reconciliation with God.

To me, the primary emphasis of the 12 Steps can be summarized in three areas: FULL POST

The following true story recently submitted to Freedom Begins Here is an example of the stories we receive and is indicative of the nature of the issues we deal with.

My name is Mark Peters. I am fifty-four years old. I have been addicted to porn since my first exposure to it at age twelve. I became a Christian at age thirty-three. This did not stop my porn use. A year later I felt called to ministry. This did not stop my porn use. In 1992 I started seminary. This did not stop my porn use. In 2001 I started serving a church part-time. This did not stop my porn use. In 2005 I started serving a church full-time. This did not stop my porn use.

In 2006, after nearly losing my marriage, I started in therapy for porn addiction. In 2007 my wife and I, with (we thought) the support of my denominational superior, disclosed to our church that I had a year of recovery from porn addiction. The worst case scenario happened and I was forced out of the church. I relapsed in fall of 2007. By the grace of God in Christ Jesus, I have been sober now since February 14, 2008. The therapy was helpful, but I did not feel that I truly entered recovery until I got involved with some Christian based twelve step groups. (Celebrate Recovery was one of them.)
Secrecy feeds addiction. This was part of the reason for the disclosure. We believed it was the healthiest thing for me and the church. It ultimately was for me. Even though we lost our ministry, my wife and I believe it was the right (and the best) thing to do. We would do it again because we are committed to a policy of letting the light into the darkness of porn addiction. FULL POST

I never thought in a million years that porn would ever be an issue in my life or my marriage. I've been married for over 11 years, and it wasn't until about two years ago that I found porn on our family computer. I was devastated. I thought everything in my marriage was fine.

This woman's story represents one of many sent to FreedomBeginsHere.org from people whose lives have been affected by pornography. She's not alone. The good news is people like her husband who struggle with sexual sin, can find freedom. Yet, many Christian people say, "God has never answered my prayer to take away my lust." Sound familiar? Those who struggle with finding freedom in Christ may still need to answer one important question.

In John Chapter 5, there is a story of a healing pool called Bethesda. For years people would come to this pool to be healed. If they could be the first one in the pool when the waters were stirred, they would be healed of their sickness. The Bible says that the blind, lame, and paralyzed all came, including a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. What a frustrating situation! This man has been trying to get into this pool for almost 40 years! So, what question would Jesus have for this level of frustration? Jesus asks him, "Do you want to get well?" FULL POST

How a husband's battle with pornography addiction became a wife's fight
By G. Lou

Nothing would ever be the same. I could tell from his face as he sat there with me, hands trembling, eyes fixed, face tired, he had been through something. His shoulders hunched forward as we sat on the edge of the bed. His voice poured out every distinct detail of the last three days of his life. As I listened, it seemed to me we sat on the edge of life. New life.

Broken and bent, he unraveled the tale of his pain. It was one I knew well. My husband had been addicted to pornography since he was twelve. Simultaneously repulsed and intrigued by the graphic nature of willing nakedness, it had hooked him. And the hook went deep. Like thousands of men, the intrigue of this intimate fantasy world provided a sick and sane escape when life got hard. The unconditional acceptance of beautiful, naked women who wanted nothing in return except to enter his head and make him king- for-a-moment, had rocked our marriage. Despite repeated attempts to get free from its hold, including plenty of shame and rejection from me, my husband was a slave to its power. Until today. FULL POST