StoriesAboutGod.org

I was brought up in a Christian family, was adopted as a baby and went to church at a young age.  At 16 I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and sent to the hospital.  I was also dealing with a secret addiction with pornography.  I spent a year up in another city away from my parents.  My addiction drew me to steal porn from malls and stores because I could not buy it at my age. 

I moved down back to the city where I started.  When I moved back I was 18 and I could buy my own porn.  This addiction kept me away from God.  I moved with a roommate and I had cable television.  I spent hours watching TV, and using the VCR as you might imagine. 

I moved again and fell in love with a woman.  The marriage was to “fix” my problem.  I was arrested for burning a dumpster during a manic phase.  I got probation and my wife was little help for my addiction.  I was arrested again and was sent to jail. 

I spent 3 months reading the Bible and talking to family.  I started going to 12 step meetings for sex addiction.  This was about 1996.  I dropped out after a year. 

10 years later my life was changed by a chance meeting with a church group at the Peace and Justice fair.  I started going to church and slowly changing my ways.  A friend at the church, who was going to AA meetings invited me to the meeting.  I saw what I had been missing.  I started going back to meetings for my addiction and lost 50 pounds.  My Mom said she could tell I was doing better just by looking at me. 

I am more aware what drives me to do things that get me in trouble.  I have to watch my pride, and my ego.  I believe that no matter what you are addicted to it is all the same in the end, it is to escape from reality.