No More Desire ™ Porn Addiction Recovery

108: Why Positive Thinking Isn’t Enough to Beat Porn Addiction—And What Works Instead


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When I was stuck in porn addiction, I kept hearing the same advice: “Just be more positive. Believe in yourself. Visualize your freedom.” But here’s the problem—positive thinking alone doesn’t heal porn addiction. In fact, it often makes things worse.

In this episode, I dive deep into the psychology, neuroscience, and spirituality of why forcing yourself to “just think positive” can actually increase shame, suppress your real emotions, and fuel relapse. We’ll talk about the trap of toxic positivity, the failure of the “law of attraction” in recovery, and why pretending to be fine when you’re hurting only keeps you stuck in the cycle of cravings.

Instead, I’ll show you a mindset shift that actually works: facing your pain head-on, learning to process negative thoughts and emotions honestly, and using practical tools to rewire your brain for long-term recovery. You’ll discover why the real solution isn’t blind positivity—it’s courageous presence.

We’ll cover:

  • The psychology of toxic positivity and why suppressing pain drives porn use
  • The neuroscience of stress, dopamine, and why fake positivity backfires
  • The spiritual truth that freedom comes not from escaping pain, but transforming it
  • A simple recovery exercise to ground yourself in reality and break free from cravings

If you’ve ever felt frustrated that positive thinking isn’t working—or worse, that it’s made you feel more ashamed—this episode will help you see the path forward with clarity and hope.

Porn recovery isn’t about “positive vibes only.” It’s about building the strength to face reality with courage and rewire your mind for freedom.

Blog Article for this Episode

Free Resources

Grab my Free eBook and Free Workshop for more strategies to overcome porn addiction, rewire your brain, and rebuild your life.

Recommended Episodes: 

How Negative Thinking Fuels Porn Addiction

The Subtle Lies that Keep You Relapsing

Addiction, Identity, and the Illusion of Brokenness (with Jason Shiers)


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No More Desire ™ Porn Addiction RecoveryBy Jake Kastleman

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