["Natalie" asked me to share her story.]

He is kissing and touching me. I tell him to stop. He pushes me up against the wall. I push him back and then he slaps me. I think I am about to be raped!

I run for my car crying uncontrollably. At a safe distance, I pull over and throw up.

How did this happen?

This guy would email me beautiful romance scenes. He and I were the main characters. After another fight with my husband, I went to him to escape. When I answered his personal ad, I promised, "No contact. Just email."

In weeks, emailing became texting which became phone calls which led to coffee which ended with a kiss which led to today's events. I am a Christian wife and mother. I know better.

How did this happen to me?

Before personal ads, I listened to erotic audio books. I found those when looking for romance novels. It was then that I quit wanting sex with my husband.

In my teens I discovered romance novels. I would binge and read a stack in a few days. Then I would quit for sometimes years. Then I returned to escape marriage problems.

My husband asked me to quit. I would but eventually just read in secret. A friend explained she wrote romance novels because of "the money. Women are addicted to these things."

Is that how I got here? Addiction?

I guess it fits.

1. I failed several attempts to quit.
2. I kept increasing the intensity.
3. I lost interest in other pleasurable activities.
4. I was secret and/or dishonest.
5. I became more isolated.
6. I continued despite negative consequences.

It all started with romance novels. That was my pornography.  

 

[Natalie successfully completed treatment at a counseling clinic. She remains married to her husband and is a devoted mother.]

 

If you are interested in having Eric speak at your school, church, or other event, call 972-342-0753 or email eric@ultimateescape.org.