So Mark is always asking that we post 'what works for me'.
Evrything and nothing works for me, but  here is something easy that has helped me  over the  past week.

We all know that it's very hard to count clean days, even one day at a time requires us to be sober for a while day! last week i started counting every time that I got triggered. I did it in my head and didn't lose track because it was a counstant count that was always going up. Since I can get triggered on a constant bases, using the triggers to help me stay  focused helped me a lot. Often I would actually say the number out loud (a few people actually asked me "what did you say?" But they're not addicts, how could they understand ) and that helped the lure of the trigger fade into the distance. Somtimes I tried for another glance after I counted, so I added another number since it was another test.
 Somtimes I could go a few hours without adding any numbers (sleeping) and sometimes I could add 10 in a few minutes (shachris). I began to actually welcome the triggeres as opportunities to add numbers (as opposed to welcoming then for a whole nother reason)

The rules are, be lenient when deciding if it's a trigger. If it might be then it is and it counts. We have all experienced good and natural neutral parive events can lead us to act out hours later. So don't analyze if it's a trigger or not. It probably is.

Even though my particular challenge does not include ladys I added for that too since even for an ssa guy, imodestly dressed lady's are wrong and I shouldn't assume that I'll never be tempted.

The numbers added up fast and yesterday on the highway I reached 100 (thanks to the passenger in the car next to mine). My reaction surprised me. I actually got emotional and thanked Hashem for these 100 opportunities. That 100 times Hashem tested me and I passed. When I only counted days I would get depressed that I only managed to stay clean for a few days, but look, it's 100 times!

At 104 I fell. I won't say 'so what' because falls hurt, but i now realize that I passed 104 out of 105. I think that it puts things into perspective.
 I am not happy with the status quo, as the De'blasio said 'vision zero' for casualties. But I'm not starting from zero. I 'scored' 104 and am now continuing. Currently 110.

If anybody wants to try this on their own or as a group we can post here where we are holding or any thoughts/experiences about this.

COC
sg

Ihavenostrength wrote on 09 May 2017 21:01:

 Bh I've been clean of xxx for a very long while (a year or so) and have my phone filtered well and only use it for GYE email etc, if you think in general it would help (i.e. Falling asleep faster etc) I'm glad to try it

in regard to the tzitzis I wasn't thinking of it as a shmira more of an extra layer of awareness


your posting and kind words are much appreciated!


That and sleep in an ice bath, thanks for the much needed laugh!


Thanks for taking the time to write it out and I get your point, i don't really view it as a safeguard per se but more of another thing to draw extra awareness and you're absolutely right that I need to continue using other resources to get back up
i spent an hr on the phone with someone partially in regard to this.

Wearing tzitzis at night is a segula for shmira in these inyonim. However when we are in the heat of the addiction/terrible habit, realize that the tzitzis are not a magical solution. In fact sometimes it can backfire by causing one to be hyperfocused and anxious about the issue. When I was a bochur I tried every segula in the book, and just ended up m**** more and more and more and more. There was no GYE in those days, no rebbi/therapist to talk to, in fact no one at all to share with. If I recall correctly I unfortunately sometimes used the tzitzis to rub.........  I am not trying to dissuade you from wearing shluf tzitzis. Just if you do, do it in conjunction with GYE, speaking to people, involving a rebbi/mentor, and learning how to relieve anxiety in other ways.

Ihavenostrength wrote on 09 May 2017 21:26:

I used to think One Day At a Time means i have to get through today and ill be OK.. Just live the pain , dont feed the addiction, white knuckle your way till tomorrow and you will have made another day sober.
I dont think thats what it really means.
I think it means that today is where the serenity is, today is where the clarity of living life is, today is where the beauty of the moment is, today is where we can do the right thing, say the right thing, think the right thing. We have today to live.

mikestruggling wrote on 09 May 2017 20:14:

1. Make sure you type   e x t r a   s l o w l y .
2. Meh

mikestruggling wrote on 09 May 2017 20:14:

I'd pray pray and pray again.... God could and would if He is sought!!!!

Keep strong brother

i'm lusting right now like crazy noones around and i have at least three different ways to feed my addiction 

for starters i left a message by my mentor later he'll check up on me so i'd better not fall (he reads my thread too)
additionally i'm posting here that 1. takes time (time not spent acting out) 2. it'll help me feel good when i pull through

that's how i plan on overcoming this nisayon hatzlacha

Shivisi_Hashem wrote on 09 May 2017 18:51:

I used to masturbate very often before my shabbos shluf,
Now I just shluf..

tiger wrote on 09 May 2017 16:54:

Nops, not at all, I'm eating only 12 oz of protein, no beans,no wheat, and no sugary food, just one spelt matzeh, and only one cup dry wine, so its definitely not food related, its just simple LUST!! 
I'm an addict, and I still like to masturbate, its still in my body, and I'm fighting with tooth and nail not to, and I will prevail big time...

cordnoy wrote on 08 May 2017 16:39:

Is this from the Rambam, hilchos Sanity?

There is more (much more, and even a deeper understandin' of the heart's desire for Torah and the other desires), but I will leave it for now and conclude (all my own assumptions, understandin' and beliefs) with the followin':

1. It does seem that one who is completely immersed and engrossed and engulfed by the study of Torah will be protected and he will not be affected by these other desires.

2. One who is addicted (used loosely) to these other desires (such as myself) can attempt to delve into the depths of Torah (if he can) and it might quite possibly reverse the tide.

3. Even if he cannot, studyin' Torah cannot be a bad thin' to do, and it certainly ain't worse than any other distraction, and who knows? it might even serve as a deterrent.

4. One who is not addicted should certainly engage in Torah study, as much as possible.

5. One who is addicted should probably find a programs that works on recovery. Obviously, learnin' Torah and observin' mitzvos should be continued.

b'hatzlachah

Shlomo24 wrote on 07 May 2017 20:54:

I'm grateful to be celebrating six months of Shlomo sobriety. That means six months free from pornography, masturbation, phone sex, downloading ways to access lust and actually accessing that lust. But that's what I didn't do. I went to meetings (one a day for the past while), I did stepwork on a basically daily basis provided I had work to do, I called/checked in with my sponsor every day and I made at least 3 calls a day. Some intangible things I did were listening to everything my Sponsor said, actively seeking and listening to my Higher Power, being of service to others whether they were in the program or not, praying and surrendering. Recently, I have come to realize that lust addiction is just one area of my disease and I have been focusing on going to sleep and waking up on time, eating three meals a day, showering and getting dressed every day, getting exercise and cleaning my room. I also go to therapy weekly. My closest friends are in program and fellowship is a way of life for me. I don't consider them "SA (or AA or 12-step) friends." I consider them friends. I also have friends outside program and I try to live by spiritual principles with them also.

This is not about me. I don't want to share this. This is about carrying the message to all of the guys (and general people who read the forums) here. "It works if you work it" and I'm proud to be working it.

yiraishamaim wrote on 07 May 2017 17:58:

thank you for the question.

Firstly, I don't know.

Secondly, in my last two posts (of which there will be more), I did not mention addiction, and I didn't really mention "plot of the yetzer."

Additionally, the quotes above seem to be focused on prior to the onslaught; that means in general that one who focuses his heart and desire into the studyin' of the Torah (somethin', that although I have learned for many, many years, i cannot say that i have done), for him, the desire for immorality will not entice him.

This might not be the way to combat or 'fix' one who is addicted already.

And finally, my letter to R' Taub was essentially focused on one point, and that is that he asserted that one who works on recovery and attains a certain amount of sobriety and then he relapses - that is not the addiction speakin', but the plot of the yetzer. If we grant that there is an addiction beforehand, I contend that a later relapse is not, or might not be the yetzer, but rather, the addiction rearin' its ugly head again.

thank you again.

Please don't hesitate to question; I am no scholar or doctor; simply a lustaholic livin' recovery.

IMHO Cords was not talking about the y"h rather what we need to do to control our lust/deires
These things are not necessarily considered the y"h especially for an addict.

Just the way I understood him...