STEP
3: PROVIDE ON-GOING HELP TO STRENGTHEN RECOVERY
I. CONTINUE REGULAR CONTACT
Maintain regular contact with
users and their family support group throughout the recovery process.
Invite members of the family support group to assist you and the user as
needed. When the caregiver believes the user has successfully completed
the personal plan for recovery, regular interviews are no longer needed.
The decision to stop regular interviews is based on inspiration and the
user’s ability to eliminate inappropriate sexual behavior.
II. FOLLOW-UP ON THE
PLAN TO STOP USING PORNOGRAPHY
During each interview, review
the user’s personal plan developed in Step 2 Develop a Personal
Recovery Plan. The following questions can assist caregivers in
monitoring the users’ progress.
 |
Are they making the
necessary behavior and lifestyle changes? |
|
Are they working to maintain
their spiritual strength? |
|
Are they completing reading
assignments? |
|
Are they maintaining contact
with their family support group? |
|
Are they studying and
updating worksheets? |
|
Are they attending available
community support group meetings? |
|
If needed, are they
attending therapy sessions with mental health professionals? |
|
Are they following through
on any other assignments made by the caregiver? |
|
Are they meeting with clergy
for spiritual guidance? |
The time required to complete
a personal plan for recovery varies according to the severity of the
problem and the user’s effort.
III. WORK THROUGH
RELAPSES
During the recovery process
many users relapse into past behaviors. Relapse occurs when the user
returns to pornography or inappropriate sexual behavior. Watch for
possible relapses and help users recommit to their plan to stop using
pornography. If their commitment to change is strong, relapses last only a
brief time.
Recommit the user to follow
the plan to stop using pornography by completing a blank
Consequence Worksheet, Stop Using Pornography
Worksheet, or Controlling
Triggers and Temptations Worksheet as necessary.
IV. IMPLEMENT
ACCOUNTABILITY
Do not rescue the user
from any unwanted consequence involving pornography and inappropriate
sexual behavior. Prayerfully evaluate any idea to make an exception to
protect the user. Also caution the members of the family support group to
do likewise. The user needs to experience the consequences of
inappropriate sexual behavior-including legal, family, financial and
spiritual consequences.
If the user continues to use pornography
and engage in inappropriate sexual behavior, it is necessary to intervene.
See Step 4 Dealing with the Lack of Progress for ideas.
