Hope for One - Social Networking to Help Those with Porn and Sex Addiction

http://www.onlinemba.com

So often there are topics that when we discuss them, we drop our voices to a whisper because of the perceived shame and guilt that comes with them.  By doing so, whom are we helping?  And while I would agree that pornography and sexual addiction are not topics that I feel are appropriate dinner table conversation with children or - for that matter - my mother, not dealing with issues is much more damaging than addressing them.

H.A.L.T. is an acronym for four of the most common triggers for an addict:  being hungry, angry, lonely, and tired can take a person from a state of recovery to a state of relapse or from a state of sobriety to backsliding.  But do we always know where to turn for assistance when we feel these things?  For a sexual addict, many live a life of shame or in a constant state of denial.  With 12% of all internet sites being pornography (www.onlinemba.com), being alone in the privacy of one's home can be a dangerous place for someone struggling.  But if you aren't in treatment and don't have a sponsor, whom can one turn to help hold his or herself accountable?

Hopeforone.com is an online social community for those impacted by pornography and sexual addition.  It is a community designed to let others know they are not alone.  "The members of our online community understand how difficult your struggle is.  Join our online community today for the hope and support you are looking for...If you are affected by the addiction of a family member or friend, we want to support you too."

The Hope for One's website, iPhone, and Adroid applications provide not only resources and contacts for individuals and families who are suffering, but provide social networking groups to allow for interaction and connectivity.  They provide a safe place to be vulnerable.

Member pages: Create your own personal page, and share your story through blog postings, photos, audio, and videos. You can also communicate with other members by commenting on their pages or sending them direct messages.

Group pages: These pages are focused on specific groups of members within the community.  For example, if you're a married man struggling with pornography, you can find a group page for other married men going through the same experience.  Group pages are an excellent way to easily find other members to start talking to.

Participation in the groups is anonymous but allow individuals to share, process, be open, and see that others have the same difficulties.  Individuals are encouraged to share their own stories so readers can learn from them, share successes and admit challenges.  Additionally, information on local counselors, meetings, and programs are also available for those willing to take the next step in getting help.

For those wanting to take an active role on the site, discussion boards for posting topics are available to drive communication and generate feedback.  Accountability tools are provided to help individuals take an active role in behavior change including downloads and site blockers.  Blogs, a Facebook page, and message boards allow community members to share information, post current news and media stories, and to discuss their pain and their road to recovery.  By removing a layer of the stigma and by bringing individuals together to remove the loneliness, sufferers can start working to develop successful coping skills and action plans for dealing with triggers and situations.

Thanks to the Internet - the very same tool that can cause us to stumble - and social networking (which most of us think of as an entertainment and marketing tool), men and women can seek comfort, encouragement and empowerment from both professionals and peers.  The same technology that brings them guilt and pain can also bring a world of promise and hope to their computer or their smart phone.

For more information, visit www.hopeforone.com/psa.




Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
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