The 7 Tasks of Recovery
1. Break through denial. Denial is "the difference between what you are doing now and what you need to do to get better." We are not here to convince you that you have a problem or how big your problem may be. We are here to walk alongside you in your journey of what it means for you to get where you want to be.
2. Understand the nature of addiction. First we have to understand what the cycle is and what all the pieces are before we can break out of it. In therapy you will get tools for how to deal with all the parts of the cycle--managing stress, battling distorted thinking patterns, tolerating difficult emotions and self-acceptance.
3. Surrender to the process. This is also known as 'doing whatever it takes to heal.' Surrender in itself is a process. The more a person understands the nature of addiction, the easier it becomes to want to do whatever it takes to break free.
4. Repair and Limit the Damage. It's so important in the beginning to be proactive with the consequences of your behavior. Financial planning, setting boundaries with relationships or even getting a filter for your computer can all be major parts of living a healthier life.
5. Establish Sobriety. Sex and Porn Addiction is a form of brain damage. It's hard to hear that but it is. In order to see long lasting change, healing the damage done by addiction is essential. Sobriety is the key to the brain healing. In step five the goal is to prune the neuropathways that cause self-destructive behaviors and create new neuropathways that lead to life-giving rhythms.
6. Ensure physical integrity. The focus of this step is to heal your body and brain. In order to come out from the power of sexual addiction it is important to address the neurological damage that has been done. Sobriety begins the healing process but an active life, the right diet and meditation can speed up the brain's recovery.
7. Participate in a culture of support. "In relationships we are hurt; in relationships we are healed." Quality relationships not only help you stop the behaviors, they also heal the wounds that caused them. In recovery you will learn how to connect to safe, supportive people and you will learn how to be one.