You used a lot of words to basically say "Buck up." Yes, I know a person is suppose to be good and not do these things. I'm not stupid. But it's almost like a compulsion. I'm more interested in somebody (and not judging, like you) saying they had a similar situation and this is how they figured it out. Or somebody might have some zen advice or something. But things like, don't do it or get divorced, is not advice. I'm not mentally retarded, I know the absolutes to this situation. I'm looking for a solution, some type of middle ground. Because obviously I can't stop cold turkey.
It's entirely possible to stop things cold turkey. I mean, as far as I know there are only two basic theories of breaking an addiction (though I could be wrong about that). Either you stop cold turkey and deal with your own withdrawal issues until you tough it out and break the addiction, or you gradually try to lessen your dependance in stages. Results vary by willpower. Probably some things respond better to one way and some to another.
I mean, do you think that you could gradually lessen your dependance in stages? If so, give it a shot, at least you're working toward fixing things. If you don't think you can, then cold turkey is your other option.
Because when you talk about a middle ground ... what exactly are you thinking? That you want to be able to flirt with other women without feeling as though you're at risk of sleeping with them? If that's it, well ... I'm no expert, but if the solution you want involves you still getting to flirt a bunch with other women while married, then my opinion is still that you need to think long and hard about what being married really means. When you got married things stopped being just about you. You sound like you know that, but your actions are continuing to lean in the other direction.
I don't think harmless flirting is wrong. But what I'm doing is not harmless. I take it too far. I want to get to the point where I feel no inclination, or at least able to stop the flirting when it goes too far. It's my personality. I love to flirt. But I need to keep it under control, to where the woman is completely aware that I'm not serious in my flirting.
So basically, are you willing to try to put a stop to at least anything other than surface level friendly flirting? If so, then pick your poison as to addiction treatment methods, make yourself a plan, set goals. You're the only one who can make it happen, no matter what anyone here has to say.
But as to finding stories, maybe you will find someone here with a similar experience who is willing to talk about it, or maybe you'll have to turn to Google. For now, I guess all you've got is jerks like me.
Formerly Mat Bloody Cauthon on Wotmania, blessed be its name
I am on the verge of having an affair
11/02/2013 11:41:57 PM
- 1766 Views
Ditch the wife or stop being a prat.
12/02/2013 12:30:30 AM
- 1028 Views
Great. Helpful advice
12/02/2013 12:33:36 AM
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What exactly do you want to hear?
12/02/2013 12:47:06 AM
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I don't know, something helpful
12/02/2013 12:59:23 AM
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The telling you to grow up bit wasn't the advice
12/02/2013 01:09:54 AM
- 914 Views
So there is no situation in which advice helps?
12/02/2013 01:23:21 AM
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I didn't say nobody could help you at all
12/02/2013 01:41:19 AM
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My opinion ...
12/02/2013 01:21:38 AM
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That's not really advice
12/02/2013 01:28:42 AM
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Why is it obvious?
12/02/2013 01:42:26 AM
- 970 Views
That's exactly what I'm looking for
12/02/2013 02:11:51 AM
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Get therapy or get a divorce. Your wife deserves better than the person you're being now. *NM*
12/02/2013 04:00:38 AM
- 503 Views
Careful you don't fall off that high horse
12/02/2013 04:53:11 AM
- 994 Views
You might try 4chan. Their morals seem more in line with the ones you're currently espousing. *NM*
13/02/2013 09:29:04 AM
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What exactly did you want to hear?
12/02/2013 04:31:56 AM
- 857 Views
role play. *NM*
12/02/2013 04:41:07 AM
- 495 Views
I appreciate something other than judgment. Thank you!
12/02/2013 04:51:56 AM
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i was poly for a decade. maybe that's a thing to consider? opening your marriage for both of you?
13/02/2013 05:12:06 AM
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If you don't have kids, then just leave the marriage or have an open relationship. *NM*
12/02/2013 05:19:27 AM
- 450 Views
You have 4 options
12/02/2013 06:03:43 AM
- 886 Views
Number one is not an option, it is a looming and growing disaster.
13/02/2013 02:57:19 PM
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I'm not sure there's enough context to offer much useful advice, but I'd line up incentives
12/02/2013 08:29:41 AM
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I don't judge you. I am exactly the same way.
12/02/2013 01:56:58 PM
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I don't give a shit about polyamory. I give a shit about honesty.
13/02/2013 09:26:56 AM
- 900 Views
Do you want help making a decision, or validation of one already made?
13/02/2013 02:47:59 PM
- 956 Views
Hehe, love that things are pretty much the same around here. *NM*
14/02/2013 12:29:56 AM
- 491 Views