Healing and Support

Two Kinds of  Healing 

Those who view pornography will find the road to freedom requires physical and spiritual healing. In addition, this addiction not only affects the individual. The family and friends of someone using pornography must endure the agony of watching someone they love turn away from the authentic love they long to share with him or her.

Through  physiological changes in the brain, someone who looks at pornography increases the need for more graphic images. What begins as a few minutes here and there looking at images or video that create a sexual "high," soon becomes hours online. Real relationships pale in comparison to the unnatural swell of chemically induced excitement. Friends, spouses, and God become a distant consolation to be "used" when the artificial intimacy is out of reach.

Since the average age today for first viewing pornography is eleven, the early damage to the brain's formation caused by repeated use of pornography can easily contribute to a lifetime of lonliness, depression, and inability to establish close relationships built on trust. Growing up in today's world is difficult enough without adding addiction to pornography to the journey.

Freedom from the Slavery of Addiction

Many Catholics have been set free from the grip of pornography – from occasional use to an addiction – by frequenting the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The grace outpoured in the Sacrament not only forgives our sins, but also gives us strength to avoid the sin in the future. This does not mean that someone will immediately stop viewing pornography after one visit to Reconciliation. We know that clinical therapy is also necessary. But the more vulnerable about this sin a person can be in the Sacrament, the more humility and grace can be received to no longer desire the sin. A priest who understands the danger of pornography can be most helpful to those who seek assistance, both spiritually and in finding good counselor; talking to the same priest as much as possible for Reconciliation aids the healing process. It is also helpful to be learning about “Theology of the Body,” which will also increase your desire to choose differently. 

Persons addicted to the use of pornography should be encouraged to contact any priest for further information; he will be happy to share with you the peace and pardon of the Lord Jesus. They should be reminded to freely respond to Jesus’ loving invitation to renewed life in him through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.           

An examination of conscience is available (see Appendix) for parish distribution. In addition, we recommend that all priests keep several referral cards in the confessional with them so that they can invite penitents to participate in the My House initiative as they see fit.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that, through Him, the world might be saved. - John 3:17

The following resources are available to help families combat threats against chastity, especially on the Internet and in different forms of media prevalent in society today. None of these resources are sponsored by or explicitly endorsed by the Catholic Church.

• Covenant Eyes - Internet safety software that provides accountability reports.
• Safe Eyes - Internet safety software that provides filtering and accountability reports.
• Christopher West & the Theology of the Body Institute - Author and institute dedicated to promoting a renewed vision of the human body and sexuality, based on the late Pope John Paul II's teachings in the "Theology of the Body."

Counseling resources

• Catholic Family Services - A non-profit professional counseling agency that provides services within the Archdiocese of St. Louis. We provide individual, group, and family counseling to anyone regardless of age, race, religion, gender, nationality, or marital status.

Many private insurance companies and Employee Assistance Programs cover the costs of counseling and mental health services. CFS will process insurance claims for reimbursement. And for those who qualify, services are offered on a sliding scale.

Catholic Family Services

9200 Watson Road, Suite G- 101

St. Louis, MO 63126

Telephone: 314.544.3800        Fax: 314.843.0552

www.cfsstl.org

• LifeStar Network- A three-phase treatment program aimed at helping individuals who struggle with pornography addiction and unwanted sexually compulsive behaviors.
• Sexaholics Annonymous (SA) - 12 step followship for those men and women who want to stop their sexually self-destructive thinking and behavior. for immediate support call 314-995-2687. 

• S-Annon - A program of recovery for those who have been affected by someone else's sexual behavior.  Hotline number in the St. Louis area: 314- 994-1259.
• Sex and Love Addicts Annonymous (SLA) - help for anyone who has a sex addiction or love addiction or both and wants to do something about it. A support group for women meets at Holy Communion Episcopal Church on Monday evenings from 6-7.
  

Other helpful resources

PORN NO MORE through the Serenellians Apostolate

• Clean Hotels - Information about hotels that do not offer 'adult only' movies in their rooms.
• Fireproof (movie) - Inspiring film about hope for relationships affected by selfishness and pornography.