TR Weekly Boost: Issue 09

Time for your weekly boost from Transparent Recovery!

Author

Dustin Anderson
June 16, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

In Today’s Edition, we will discuss the following:

  • That will never work. A letter from Dustin.

  • 3 Barriers to Successful Recovery

  • Learning to Reach Out to your Community

  • Self-deception: the lies to be on guard against

  • and more.

📝 That will never work.

Have you ever shared an idea you were excited about, only to have it shot down before you could even explain?

I had that happen this week while sharing an idea I had for the future. Immediately following my idea people responded with, "That will never work."

I asked, "Well, why not?" Again, the blunt answer was, "No, that will not work here."

In that moment, I found myself feeling angry. You know, the kind that comes when you do not feel heard or understood. After the frustration subsided, I realized something important. That external "no" I heard in the meeting is a perfect reflection of the internal voice so many of us live with. How often are we our own worst enemy?

It made me think about all of us, and about this journey of recovery.

What are you missing out on in your recovery because you've told yourself it's not possible? How many times has a potential path to healing been shut down by your own limiting beliefs?

  • "True freedom from this addiction isn't possible for me."

  • "My marriage can never really be repaired."

  • "I've tried everything; nothing is going to work."

  • "I can’t tell anyone the whole truth… they’ll never understand."

When we treat these thoughts as facts, we shut down any potential before we can entertain the possibility of change.

I want to challenge you to do one thing. Find the "that will never work" statement that is running in the background of your recovery. Identify the one limiting belief you’ve accepted as true.

Now, instead of letting it shut you down, simply ask the question I responded with: "Why not?" What if it could work? What would that look like? Take five minutes to pray about it, journal on it, or bring it up to a trusted friend. Just entertain the possibility.

Your biggest breakthrough is waiting for you on the other side of "that will never work." Don't be the one who slams the door on it.

Rooting for you,

Dustin

What percent of reported porn users say they don't have anyone in their life helping them avoid pornography?

scroll to the bottom for the answer

⛰️ 3 Common Barriers to a Successful Recovery

Lack of Community

Recovery thrives on connection. When you lack a solid support system you can become more and more isolated from other people. But an authentic community offers real a place of encouragement, vulnerability, and accountability needed to keep you moving forward.

Lack of Initiative

Recovery is an active process that demands engagement. Without initiative—whether due to fear, self-doubt, or simply being stuck—it's hard to make progress. But by celebrating small wins and consistently making time to connect with others, you can begin to make positive progress.

Lack of Honesty

Being honest about our challenges can help keep us from falling into denial or rationalizations that block progress. This lack of transparency will allow unresolved core issues to keep healing at bay. Learn to be honest with yourself and with your community. True healing always begins with honesty.

🎵 Won’t Start Now by Seph Schlueter

“No you never let me down”: The picture of the God of the universe pursuing each one of us relentlessly reveals how great His love is for us! There is nothing you have done, can do, or will do that can stop God from loving and pursuing you.

Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid of them. Don’t be terrified because of them. The Lord your God will go with you. He will never leave you. He’ll never desert you.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIrV)

“You’ve never let me walk alone Not even once And You won’t start now”: Where else can you find a friend like this? Think about it. Jesus never walked away from you, not even while you are stuck in sexual addiction! And He won’t start now.

He has never let you down,
 never looked the other way
 when you were being kicked around.
He has never wandered off to do his own thing;
 he has been right there, listening.

Psalms 22:24 (MSG)

“I’ll never see a breakthrough come that isn’t right on time”: Why does the psalmist tell us to wait patiently? I think one reason is because God’s timing is always perfect. We can trust in God’s timing even when we don’t understand it. It’s in the waiting we learn to trust and fully depend upon God for our daily bread. Will you depend on Jesus today?

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 27:14 (NLT)

🔥 In Case You Missed It…

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🙋 Learning to Reach Out to Your Community

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It Takes a Village!

👨‍⚖️ The Truth about accountability partners: Why would we expect another man to meet all of our accountability needs? I tell men all the time - you do not need an accountability partner, you need a tribe.

📱 Habits, Habits, Habits: Are you struggling to reach out when you need help? Then build a new habit. Start to make daily phone calls and text messages to safe people in your life whether you need help or not. The habit of staying connected will help reaching out to come more naturally for you.

🤥 Self-deception: Common Lies We Tell Ourselves

Recently during a support group, the topic of self-deception came up, so I made a list of some common lies that we tell ourselves to enable our addictions. Here is my list of FOUR common lies:

  1. It’s not hurting anyone because it’s just me involved.

  2. I might as well give in to acting out because I feel hopeless.

  3. I can do it on my own. I do not need anyone else to help.

  4. I cannot cope of live without it.

I would love to hear from you! Reply to this email and let me know what other lies you have believed. Acceptance and awareness are the first steps to healing and freedom.

Do you have anyone in your life helping you to avoid porn? Transparent Recovery offers free virtual support groups for men struggling with porn addiction.

CLICK HERE to learn more.

Till next time,

TRIVIA QUESTION ANSWER: 84% of reported porn users say they don't have anyone in their life helping them avoid pornography.

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