Breaking the Cycle by George N. Collins with Andrew Adleman Summary
Overview of Breaking the Cycle
Confront sex addiction's grip with "Breaking the Cycle" - a compassionate roadmap from recovered addict George Collins. Praised for blending psychology with practical strategies, this guide reveals how managing your "tulpa" subpersonalities can transform shame into authentic intimacy. What hidden patterns control your desires?
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Key takeaways
The Invisible Prison of Sexual Compulsion
Imagine Bob, a successful businessman who sneaks away during the Super Bowl halftime to indulge his pornography addiction. His ten-year-old daughter walks in, witnessing a moment that ultimately costs him his marriage and normal relationship with his child. This devastating rock-bottom experience finally drove Bob to seek help and transform his life. Sexual addiction isn't just about sex - it's about using sexual behavior as a coping mechanism for uncomfortable feelings. The cycle traps countless people in a pattern where "you can't get enough of what won't satisfy you." This explains why those caught in sexual compulsion continually seek more extreme experiences or greater quantities - the temporary relief never addresses the underlying issues. Many develop these patterns in dysfunctional early environments where they lacked proper guidance about healthy sexuality. For young men especially, sexual behavior becomes a powerful coping mechanism - it feels good and provides temporary relief from negative emotions. The secrecy around these behaviors makes them particularly problematic, as "we're only as sick as our secrets." Almost anyone who suffered childhood trauma can develop sex addiction, with early sexual stimulation creating patterns that seek to recreate those feelings.
The Amphitheater: Identifying Your Inner Voices
Breaking Free from Your Mind's Control
Becoming a Detective of Your Own History
Connecting with Your Essential Self
Managing Triggers and Breaking the Cycle
The Path to True Intimacy
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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