I am addicted to mastrubation
Hey guys..
It's tough admitting that out loud. I want to stop because after I am done doing it I feel like the worst person alive. I feel very ashamed of myself and I don't want to feel that way. I wish someone could help me get out of this addiction
Hello @crashingthewaves ,
I'm sorry that you've been struggling with this, and I just want to assure you that this is a judgement free zone where you can speak freely about your addiction and how is making you feel. An addiction is something difficult to overcome, and it can take time - but I believe in you.
Sometimes it can help to write a list of reasons why you want to stop, so that it can be a reminder to you during the tough times. Have you tried anything to stop these urges? I know with a lot of addictions, it can be helpful to replace the activity with something that you enjoy - for me this would be exercise, but it could be an art activity, hanging out with friends or something completely different! Have you tried any of these before?
I know its hard right now, and addictions can make us feel out of control and lower our self worth but please remember you're not alone, and that you are accepted here 
Sending so much support to you right now!
Emma
@emsworld thank you so much. You are words are of immense support to me. It's just that somehow this activity has made me a lazy person that I don't want to do anything possibly productive. If not this then I am spending time on YouTube watching videos of people who spend a high class life
@crashingthewaves
I have an addiction to nicotine specifically vaping and to be honest, you need to change what triggers your habits, for example anytime I walked past a smoke pit or played a genre of music I wanted to vape so I replaced those habits and while it is an uphill battle and I personally have relapsed a few times you are stronger than you think.
@dynamicJackfruit6259 thank you. I hope to stop it too because I truly don't want any sort of such pleasure. But I am not sure of why I exactly think of doing it?
@crashingthewaves
Personally you think it's wrong because it feels wrong after the fact. Not to spur your addiction but for me, I don't see it as an issue and a way to let of sexual energy that gets built up. when I was younger I took a six-month break from masturbation and from then on I know that if I needed to stop I can stop so maybe find yourself a happy medium.
@dynamicJackfruit6259 thank you for the help. I guess I could try to have a break and then slowly stop. I am a religious person and I feel it is wrong to do so because of that.
Its absolutely normal to ask for help, and its good that you speak about your problems because its the first step of solving them. Addictions can be caused by different factors. How do you think what could cause yours? Are you concerned about something in life? Are there any problems that you are used to escape? What do you feel while masturbating? ( besides the obvious once). Do you masturbate in order to forget about any worries for some time? Some people masturbate and dont even feel anything, because they do it to calm themselves or to ‘mentally run away from life struggles. Its rather becoming a coping mechanism, then a sexual pleasure. What Im trying to say is, your addiction can have different reasons, so you can think about it on your own.
@nars12 I am not sure why. I guess I began out of curiosity and it got the better of me. I used to feel pleasure before but now I don't. I don't feel anything but shame after I do that but then I don't stop myself from doing it either. I just have this sudden impulse to do it when I am comfortably outside other people's sight
Feeling ashamed is understandable in your case. Religions may have some restrictions or things that are not welcomed. What if the impulses to masturbate appear because of these restrictions? When we cant or not allowed to do something we start wanting it more. Have you considered giving a bit more freedom to yourself? Having less judgements or thoughts like youve done something bad, for instance.
@nars12 no I haven't. I have always thought of it a sin which it is because I don't want these sexual desires running wild inside my head. There was a point in my life where I didn't know what was porn even though most people around me did. That has nothing related to this but I like it how it was before.. I was innocent and I didn't know this and I didn't know it. I can't give myself freedom on doing this because I don't like it and I don't know why I keep on doing it
Lets say you allowed yourself to do it and there are no more limits. As you said, youre scared that these sexual impulses will be running wild inside your head, whats next? What can happen? Or when you liked being innocent, what exactly did you like about it? Looking deeper inside of your soul can be very helpful.
@crashingthewaves i feel the same way...before there was satisfaction calmness relief but now no pleasure shameful and angry at myself ....why am I keep doing this
Hello, this is an issue I've struggled with for most of my life, and like you, I want to quite because of religious reasons too. I've tried the searching for cause method, the identifying the trigger method, the replacement method etc. and I was still confused. I tried to maintain a streak etc. I tried the guilt method. Nothing worked.
I've stopped for 3 weeks now and this method has been most effective. It's only been 3 weeks so I don't know how this will work in the long run. Nevertheless, it seems promising to I will just share it here.
I thought of this while watching a video about discipline. One of the advice was to put "obstacles" between yourself and the thing you're addicted to, e.g. don't buy junk food, put your video games at the back of your closet. They didnt mention masturbation, but I thought of a way to put "obstacles" between myself and the activity. I then allowed myself to do masturbate whenever I want ... only one condition: before I do it, I have to read 5 minutes any article from Fight the New Drugs or religious artice on this topic, and I have to side-plank, 45 seconds on the left and 45 seconds on the right. If I finish all those tasks, then masturbate all I want. I have earned it!!! That is my conditions for myself (I hate side-plank, for the record. The point is finding something easy to do, beneficial, but very unpleasant for you.)
I gave in one time in the beginning, but then my brain became aware of the "obstacles," so I haven't done that since. I still feel the urge as often as before, but I don't act on the urge anymore, because of the thought of doing side-plank 
.
And what if I give in? Then I would have done something beneficial for me along the way too anyway (exercise and reading), so that would lessens the guilt.
I wish you well! Keep fighting!
@gregariousAcai1247
discipline is freedom - Jocko Willink
stay strong man
@gregariousAcai1247 thank you. I will definitely try this method out. This reminded me of a five second rule where when you make a decision you have to stick to it and do it within the five seconds otherwise your brain will try to coax you out of the activity. So if I set obstacles for myself then when I want to mastrubate I remember I have to do all the activities before I get to do it thus my brain realises it's hard work and make me think you would rather not masturbate because you would have to do a lot. I hope this method works. Thank you so much again
@crashingthewaves I'm glad and hope to be of help!! It is definitely such a common and persistent struggle!
It's great you mentioned the 5 second rule too! I needed to be reminded of that 
. you're definitely right, it's the reverse: it's about removing the obstacles to the brain between you and the activity you need to do.
I think I can relate to your situation, but without knowing more (age,gender,situation) it would be difficult to express how it pertains to me. I can attest that it is something that you will be better off if you defeat it. I am not a listener due to confidence issues but I would welcome a private discussion about this, not sure how that can be accomplished. Have a great day, every time frame that you don't is a win, every setback is not as bad as your mind makes it out to be.
@ruffneckred I don't think we contact unless one of us is a listener. Thank you for your best interests though. I appreciate it very much.
@crashingthewaves. I agree the lack of private contact feature on 7cups is a necessary precaution against those that led dark tendencies rule thier choices. Unfortunately it can limit what could be a helpful interaction. To bear all or even parts of one's own situation pubilcly is daunting. Wishing you the best.