How To Avoid A Quarantine Relapse

It’s amazing how quickly the world can change. 

A few weeks ago, we were going about our lives in a relatively normal manner, and now many of us are confined to an at-home quarantine to avoid spreading the COVID-19 virus.  

As for me, I’m still working.  People aren’t going to stop dying and someone has to bury them.  So here I am. The joys of being a funeral director.

Anyway, many of you are off work and/or school and have found yourselves at home under quarantine with a whole lot of time on your hands.

For a porn addict, this is a critically dangerous time.

Sitting around with nothing to do and nowhere to go is a relapse waiting to happen. You have to be vigilant and alert in order to avoid having all your hard work fall apart. 

Here are some ways to avoid a quarantine relapse:

1. Keep Busy

You need to keep yourself active during this time.  Sleeping in late and laying around in sweatpants watching Netflix is going to lead you to act out.  If you’re too bored, eventually you will let your guard down and temptation will get the best of you.  

This will be a great time to: 

-Write that book you’ve been meaning to write

-Start an online side hustle

-Read the books gathering dust on your shelves

-Prepare yourself and family for any emergencies

-Finally tackle that at-home to-do list.  

-Workout at home

The last one leads us to the next point…

2. Stay Active

Keep your body moving.  Don’t allow yourself to get lazy.  This is a quarantine, not a vacation.  Participate in some sort of physical activity every day

There’s a ton of “At-Home Workout” plans being sent out right now.  Many for free! Find one and get started.

You could play with your kids.   This is a perfect time to have some bonding time with your children.  Go out in the backyard and play catch or go for a walk. 

3. Avoid Alone Time

Porn addicts get into trouble when we have too much time alone.  Try to avoid being home alone where you would have opportunities to relapse.  

4. Keep In Contact With Your Support Group

Don’t let the Coronavirus quarantine put you in isolation.  Your support group meetings may have been canceled, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose contact.  Call or text your accountability partners. Try to organize a group skype meeting to continue to support and pray for one another.  

5. Take Time To Pray and Meditate

I’ve often found the more I spend time with God the less likely I am to be tempted to relapse.  The opposite is true as well. The longer I go without prayer and meditation the weaker I become.  

Take the time every day (You have plenty of time now, so no excuses) and get deep into God’s Word.  If you feel tempted, go right to Him. Pour out your heart to Him. He will take away your temptations, your fears, and your anxieties.  

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We don’t know how long this quarantine or the Coronavirus crisis will last.  Things are changing very rapidly. But if you’re not prepared, you’re a relapse waiting to happen.  Stress and anxiety are one of the main causes of porn addiction and also of relapse.  

Stay calm. Stay Active. Stay Alert.  Don’t let this unprecedented situation cause you to lose all the progress you’ve made. 

You got this brother.  We’re in this together.  As always, if you’re struggling, reach out.  Shoot me an email. DM me on Twitter. I’m always here to help and pray with you.

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