Helpful resources

Crisis lines, organizations, articles, and books — for when you need more than a module. Everything listed here is free unless noted.

If you need help right now

Crisis & mental health lines

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988

Free, confidential, 24/7. For anyone in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741

Free 24/7 crisis support via text message. No phone call required.

SAMHSA Helpline

1-800-662-4357

Free, confidential, 24/7. Substance use and mental health referrals.

SMART Recovery

smartrecovery.org

Science-based recovery support groups — online and in-person, free.

Organizations & support groups

Organization

Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA)

A 12-step fellowship for people whose sexual behavior has become compulsive. In-person and online meetings worldwide.

saa.org
Organization

Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA)

Twelve-step program for those struggling with sex and love addiction. Strong online meeting community.

slaafws.org
Organization

Sexaholics Anonymous (SA)

A 12-step program with a clear sobriety definition. Strong international community and structured step work.

sa.org
Organization

Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH)

Professional organization for clinicians treating compulsive sexual behavior. Includes a therapist directory.

sash.net
Organization

Fight the New Drug

Research-based education on the effects of pornography. Not religious — focused on science and personal stories.

fightthenewdrug.org
Organization

Covenant Eyes

Accountability and filtering software for managing device access. Works across phone, tablet, and computer.

covenanteyes.com

Articles & educational reading

Article

What Viewing Porn Does to Your Brain

A clear, non-judgmental overview of the neurological research behind compulsive porn use — how dopamine, habituation, and reward pathways are affected.

canopy.us
Article

Shame vs. Guilt — Brené Brown

The research behind why shame is destructive and guilt is productive — and why the distinction between "I am bad" and "I did something bad" changes everything in recovery.

brenebrown.com
Article

Urge Surfing: How Riding the Wave Breaks Bad Habits

A thorough, accessible explanation of how urge surfing works, where it came from, and why observing rather than fighting an urge reduces its power over time.

positivepsychology.com
Article

Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder — WHO ICD-11

The World Health Organization's spotlight on ICD-11, which officially reclassified compulsive sexual behavior as a recognized disorder — what it means clinically and why it matters.

who.int

Recommended books

Book

Out of the Shadows — Patrick Carnes

The foundational text on sexual addiction — accessible, non-shaming, and still one of the most widely used in treatment.

Book

Chasing the Scream — Johann Hari

An investigation into addiction that reframes it as a problem of disconnection rather than weakness — compelling and research-grounded.

Book

The Shame Riptide — Paldrom & George Collins

A practical guide specifically for porn addiction recovery that addresses shame directly as a clinical and personal obstacle.

Book

Unwanted — Jay Stringer

Explores the underlying emotional and relational dynamics that drive unwanted sexual behavior — integrative and compassionate.

Book

Self-Compassion — Kristin Neff

The research-backed case for treating yourself with the same compassion you'd offer a friend — directly relevant to shame-based recovery.

Book

Atomic Habits — James Clear

The clearest practical guide to environment design, habit replacement, and identity-based change — directly applicable to recovery.

A note on these resources: Honestly Grounded does not have a financial relationship with any organization, book, or tool listed here. They are included because they are clinically credible and genuinely useful. Links open external sites — Honestly Grounded is not responsible for their content. If you are in crisis right now, please call or text 988, or text HOME to 741741.