Ep 25: Anonymous Q&A with Dr. Skinner - Recovery is Possible Through Connection
/Jason and Steve sit down and talk with Dr. Skinner about anonymous questions that UnashamedUnafraid (UU) have received. He talks to them about how there is recovery and a saving grace from any type of addiction. The addict must give up something to get their life back. It also involves true connection to others. At UU, we believe anyone can recover through our Savior Jesus Christ and his infinite Atonement.
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Jason and Steve sit down and talk with Dr. Skinner about anonymous questions that UnashamedUnafraid (UU) have received. He talks to them about how there is recovery and a saving grace from any type of addiction. The addict must give up something to get their life back. It also involves true connection to others. At UU, we believe anyone can recover through our Savior Jesus Christ and his infinite Atonement.
Who is Dr. Skinner? He is the director of Ado Recovery. They have a number of clinics around the United States and Canada. He started his own clinic and realized after a speaking engagement at BYU that there was a major issue with sex and pornography addiction. After several years of assisting in the recovery of addicts and betrayed spouses, Dr. Skinner was asked to head up Ado Recovery. They have grown from just four offices to over 14 offices in seven years. So, he has a lot of knowledge that he emparts to us and our listeners. So without further ado, Dr. Skinner tackles the first question.
Question One comes from a spouse of an addict. She wants to know if there is any level of porn addiction that you do not come back from? Dr. Skinner believes that there is no level of porn that you cannot come back from. He caveats it with there might be skeletons in the addicts closet that have not been disclosed.
What he means by this is there is most likely child abuse or other past experiences that occurred for that individual that has not been addressed. They are usually running from something. If the individual is willing to do the work, they will heal from the addiction; as well as, from the past trauma. This can be worked through hope in the atonement and with the help of therapists, friends, and family support.
Question Two is from a woman who’s friend disclosed that her husband has viewed child pornography. The husband’s therapist told him that is more likely porn escalation rather than pedophilia. Her friend feels she is beyond hope because of this and she wants to know if there is hope. Dr. Skinner says that most people are not looking at childhood porn. Nevertheless, her question is very important and needs to be addressed.
Dr. Skinner says there must be a differentiation between what type it was. Was it prepubescent, or teenage porn. Also, was it a stumbled across? And is it still happening? These are the follow up questions that should be asked. And just like question one, there is always hope in Christ. If the person is willing to put in the work, there can be true and lasting recovery.
Question Three asks if having Christ in the recovery is necessary? Dr. Skinner believes that addicts always need to have a true connection with others. After all, people are the vehicle (even though they are not perfect) that God or a higher power uses to connect with His children here on earth. At UU, we believe an addict can do it through our Savior Jesus Christ and his infinite Atonement.
If these questions have affected you or someone you know, please feel free to forward this podcast episode to them. We would appreciate you all to become Outsiders. It can be as low as $5 per month. If you have other questions please feel free to email any one of us at UU.