How do I stop this act?

Dear Agatha, I’m a boy of 25 years of age who started masturbating at the age of 18. I have been trying to stop it but to no avail. I simply can’t. Please help. Confused Guy. Dear Confused Guy, Masturbation is like addiction to drugs. You need to first acknowledge that it is a problem you are ashamed of and one you want to get rid of in your life. The thing is growing the determination to stop it. As with all other addictions, it has to be gradual. There is no way you can stop it suddenly because you didn’t become dependent on the habit in one day. First, it was a tentative gesture until it became a way of life with you like the pyramid. Therefore, ending the habit has to be gradual too; this time around, using the inverted pyramid approach in your quest to beat the habit. Set realistic goals for yourself; the time frame that is practical to you. Thinking of how long it took you to become dependent on it, will help you come to a realistic conclusions on the time you would require to end it. Another way to go about it, is to avoid the kinds of thoughts and situations that usually bring about the urge to stimulate yourself. Because it has become a way of life, the usual cold bath may not work in your case which means you must avoid being alone most of the time. Some men are known to excite themselves when in the bathroom. It is something they cannot help. If this applies to you, rush the process of your bath and cleverly avoid lingering on your anatomy. Fill your mind with thoughts that are inimical to sexual urges; the kind that will make all thoughts of sexual excitement vanish from your mind. You can also find help in the words of God. Read the Bible close to the time you want to take your bath. Retain the thoughts in your mind until you finish taking your bath and dressing up. At night when the urge is more potent, get a thriller film to watch or book to read. If the urge threatens to suffocate you, don’t feel bad if you end up doing it. Nobody expects you to beat the habit in a day; life makes more meaning when after each fall, we are able to rise again. This is where most people get it wrong; wanting to do it all in one day. There is no immediate remedy to addiction so don’t condemn yourself or get frustrated any time you suffer a set back. What you need is sheer determination to end it within the stipulated time frame you gave yourself. If you live alone, look for a very positive and strong minded friend to help you out. Most addictions need the help of friends and family to end. When you have a friend who loves to pray and offer words of encouragement, it makes it easier. Just be positive minded and lean on God by reading the Bible. His presence will make the habit very easy for you to defeat. Good luck.