What Are Effective Ways to Stop Masterburate Addiction for Good? - #21676

I am really struggling with this masterburate addiction, and it's affecting my life in ways I never thought it could. Like, I find myself doing it multiple times a day, even when I have other important things I should be focusing on, like work or spending time with friends. I know this isn’t normal, but I can’t help it! Every time I try to stop, I feel this overwhelming urge, and it just takes over my thoughts. Just last week, I thought I finally was getting a grip on it. I had gone two whole days without giving in, and I felt pretty proud of myself! But then, out of nowhere, stress hit me hard at work, and it seemed like the only way to relax was to give into the masterburate addiction again. I felt like I was back at square one, and it was so discouraging! I’ve read a few articles that mention triggers, but I’m not sure how to identify mine. Is it stress, boredom or something else? It seems a bit confusing when I think about it because sometimes I feel great, and then suddenly, I just want to indulge again. I even tried going for walks or keeping myself busy with hobbies, like painting and reading. Those things help a bit, but they aren’t a complete solution. And honestly, when I'm busy, I forget about the masterburate addiction, but the second I sit down to relax – bam! It's like that addiction is right there waiting for me! I’ve also heard people talk about mindfulness and meditation, and I’m curious if that could be help. Does anyone here know how to really incorporate that into my daily routine to counteract the masterburate addiction? I feel like just having more awareness of my days might help, but it's hard to commit when there’s this constant pull to run back to what’s become a comfort zone. So my question is: what practical steps can I take to not just manage, but actually stop this? It feels like such a huge mountain to climb. I really wish I could be free from this masterburate addiction, so any advice on how to do that would be so appreciated! It’s tough to talk about this since I feel embarrassed, but I’m hoping that sharing could help shed some light on my situation. I genuinely think that if I could just understand better how to combat this issue, I might find a way out. It’s a little nerve-wracking putting this out there, but I’m determined to change. I just want to feel in control of my own life again!