There is an old acronym in recovery called H.A.L.T. It reminds us that we are often triggered when we are (a) hungry, (a) angry, (c) lonely, and (d) tired.
Let me add two more: B.S. We are at risk when we are bored and stressed.
1. Boredom
We get into trouble if we aren’t into anything else. Stay busy. Find a new relationship, new hobby, new habit, new book, or new passion. Boredom is not your friend.
2. Stress
The American Institute of Stress has identified 50 things that stress will do to us. And they’re all bad. Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk said, “When you have stress, your body keeps score.”
Recovery Step: The Bible says, “Be careful then how you walk” (Ephesians 5:15). That means avoiding two things – boredom and stress.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
