What to do when every image online pumps up your porn drive?

[Gargantua]

Hi all,
Social media is really disgusting, isn’t? My instagram is flooded with photos of “hot girls” and every time I turn into it I can’t avoid thinking about locking myself in the bathroom and using porn. If this was only social media things would be easier but it is literally everywhere I look online! A couple of minutes ago I went to a news website and there it was: another picture of a “hot girl”. Damn...i trying my best to stay out of the bathroom but it is really hard sometimes... does anyone have tips on what to do?

 

[नेति नेति]

The simplest and most obvious answer that you may not be ready for is this: stay offline as much as you can. Delete instagram from your phone (you can also deactivate your account for a while so that it literally disappears from instagram), get your news update from siri, alexa, the tv or the radio, and just make as many changes as you need to stay away from that kind of content. Unfortunately, we often seem to experience that triggers are everywhere. All you can do is change your habits and go-to websites, and learn to quickly ignore content that might be triggering. Subconsciously you might even be looking for those triggers without knowing it. And that's why you feel like they're everywhere. Addiction has its way of sabotaging and overriding its users. Stay strong!

 

[WHMvsPMO]

If you are really sensitive to visual stimulation at this point you might want to turn off your browsers autoloading images, there's also something like Pluckeye and maybe some other stuff that's selective like maybe whitelisting this site.

Break it down by levels, there's the internet in general and social media, and yes some news sites too but aside from that you will want to address your own mind sooner or later. Do the practical stuff of cutting down sensory exposure to clear enough space to work on your mind, otherwise not only will you have to be dependent on tech solutions for a tech problem but at some point it may stop working just because it is not enough.

 

[NebulousRiver]

Get rid of social media, it's been one of the best things for me personally. It can be tough, but if you fill your life with other things you enjoy (hobbies, skills, etc.) you'll be fine. You'll save so much more mental energy to spend on stuff that has actual value.

 

[natethegreatguy]

I have a no phones or computers in my bedroom or bathroom policy.

If you feel you are fighting an urge or have been triggered, dont bring your phone with you to the bathroom. You could also make a rule to only use your phone around other people. So basically dont be alone with the device you use to access porn.

You could also try ditching your smart phone and get a flip phone instead.

 

[StayClean&Proactive]

Limit your access to social media. Follow the three second rule, shut off your social media if you see a triggering image after three seconds. I'd limit my use to Instagram and snapchat to checking it once a day. Eventually you'll become immune to seeing these sexy images. Turn off your electronics one hour before bed too. Read a book or exercise before you brush your teeth and go to bed, draw. Think of something gross so you can lower your chances of having a relapse.