Take Action

Have a plan
Everything so far in the ‘Help! I want to STOP’ programme is geared towards having a plan and understanding why and how you’re going to quit child-porn.  You’re not only be going to change your way of life, but also the way you get on with your life, and even the neural pathways in your brain.  In most approaches to such radical change - such as quitting alcohol or drugs, or rehabilitation following a heart-attack – structure is an essential part of change, and moreso at the beginning.  Think about it, you will have enough on your plate just dealing with the emotional, psychological and behavioural backlash of giving up something that has been such a major stimulation – figuring out the best way to get through life as it presents itself may be a potentially significant strain.

Set a start date
You might be ready to stop now – maybe you’re confident, gung-ho, or just very afraid and shocked at yourself.  If you’re not ready to stop, keep coming back to the ‘Motivation’ and ‘Self-Awareness’ sections and think about why it is you don’t want to stop – remember, knowing why you don’t want to stop is a valuable starting point for your own unique programme.

TOP TIP:  Before you leave this site, imagine a date on which you are going to quit child-porn forever.  Then imagine what it would be like without all the hassle that you face now (the secrecy, fear of getting caught, child-sex taking over your life, the impact on your family, social and working life…).  Finally, imagine what it would be like if you didn’t give up and the police knock on your door the next day.  Make a note of your date and commit to preparing yourself.

Sticking to your plan
Life often gets in the way of most things – Christmas is a peak period for alcoholics relapsing, for instance.  Your plan will be more effective if it is flexible enough to adapt to changing (or expected) circumstances.  If you go on a beach holiday, how might you deal with any feelings about being around naked children?  Relationship breakdown appears to be a common consequence of child-porn taking over – if you break up with your partner, even if s/he doesn’t know why you’ve become so withdrawn, how will living on your own impact your motivation and plan to keep away from child-sex material?  Remember, a SMARTER plan exists within your environment and relationships – wherever you can, seek support and encouragement from others.