I'm actually surprised at a lot of fatalistic responses here.
You really should not see yourself as a victim to yourself. It seems like a lot of people are very adamant that NO ONE can EVER stop CDing. Likewise, many say you can NEVER stop porn.
Let's just get this straight...you can do whatever the Hell you want to do. YOU own your life...not the other way around.
The TED talk that you linked is actually a very good basic review of the major topics in science surrounding porn. But, honestly, I was incredibly surprised to see that most young boys are seeking porn at the age of 10! WOW!! Talk about critical periods of brain development! Imagine a brain that is at such a critical stage of development that gets continuously exposed and re-exposed to the same stimuli...dopamine release strongly forming certain pathways in the brain for THAT stimulus release. The man that conducted the TED talk was right to liken it to a research experiment.
My personal rule of thumb is that MOST things in life are perfectly fine in moderation. Smoking the occasional cigarette or enjoying a glass of wine is not going to lead you spiraling down a road to addiction. But, it can...if you do not practice self-control.
However, addiction is not defined by frequency alone. Addiction, by definition, means that something is causing distress in your life...something is negatively effecting the way you look at yourself, the way others look at you...it is negatively effecting your loved ones...it is negatively effecting your job. These "negative" effects can even be something as simple as the addictive stimulus popping into your mind at times that it shouldn't, coupled with a need/desire to answer that stimulus at inappropriate times.
And, the fact of the matter is that a brain addicted to alcohol looks quite similar to a brain addicted porn...or, a brain addicted to nicotine...or, a brain addicted to sex... An addicted brain is an addicted brain.
Furthermore, I want to say that from experience, that you should be VERY selective of the people that you surround yourself with in your recovery. Many people that have answered you on this thread are probably facing similar addictions. Unfortunately, most addicts in denial do NOT want to see another addict recover...this is why you'll meet people that very clearly seem to have a problem, but they also will adamantly come up with every excuse in the book to shake you from your path to recovery.
As unfortunate as it is, recovery from addiction actually means that you cut a few ties to people that do not have your best interests in mind. I would SINCERELY advise you to really consider this, because I have seen so many people fall off the path of recovery simply by surrounding themselves with people who did not have their best interests at heart.
You remember how our parents always hounded us about the type of friends that we had? (Or, at least mine would). It turns out that there is a lot of truth and wisdom behind this...the people that we surround ourselves with greatly influences us. Surround yourself with people that want you to succeed and want you to do what is best for YOU.
It doesn't matter that "Steve" or "Jenn" say that porn isn't a big deal...or, that they feel CDing won't cause you to fall back into old habits. What really matters is that YOU feel that porn is negatively impacting your life and you are so committed to stopping it, that you are afraid CDing may cause you to fail in achieving your goal. That is the only thing that matters. And, I have to say if you truly believe CDing may cause a problem, LISTEN TO YOURSELF! You know yourself best. Do not listen to people that would have you fail because they are battling their own problems.
My advice to you would be to find a group of people that are also trying to give up internet porn. There are literally TONS of groups out there, because internet porn is actually now one of the leading problems counselors are facing as a divorce issue. Many of these groups are held at churches, but in most places you do not have to be part of that church congregation. Basically, the churches just allow them to hold the meetings in their facilities. Some groups do have a religious component, but many do not. AA actually has a great model for addiction that is used with a lot of other programs...but, AA is also religious-based...so, the "off-shoots" off AA often have religious components.
The real reward of these programs is that it sets you up with a group of people that want to see you succeed. You become accountable for the people in your group and you do everything in your power to see each other succeed.
Also, you need to block access to porn. And, that is extremely difficult to do in this day and age. But, essentially, you are probably going to have to block access to sites on your computer and your mobile devices. There is a ton of software out there, but I recommend NOT knowing the password to the blocking programs. Give it to a friend you trust who wants to see you succeed. You may want to consider getting a phone that does not surf the internet.
Masturbate.
If CDing is mainly a sexual thrill for you...masturbate before you dress up. Then, test the waters. Try having a plan for what you are going to do while dressed....something that doesn't involve watching porn or taking pictures. Heck, block the sites that you would normally go to for picture-posting.
These actions lower the risk that CDing will cause you to start watching porn again (or, porn-like things...like pictures). If you find that you don't feel like CDing...don't do it. If you feel like you want to do it...go for it, but take the precautions.
Also, try diversion activities. I find myself watching porn when I'm bored. I feel like many people can relate. So, when you feel boredom hitting and you start craving porn, get up and do something else.
When you are masturbating, you might find yourself thinking back to scenes that you have seen in porn...but, that's okay. Acknowledge the thought and keep on fantasizing about whatever else pops into your mind. Don't get caught in a cycle of, "Oh GOD...I saw that in porn...I shouldn't be thinking about that!" The fact of the matter is that simply not watching porn is doing wonders to help your brain as it is...you are actually USING your brain for fantasy...something that porn actually prevents you from doing. You'll eventually find that the scenes you can come up with in your mind are much more intense than what you can find on the internet. Why? Because, science has also found that our brain is our primary sexual organ. USE IT!
The great thing is that once you start to begin to use your brain again actively as a sexual organ, sex is waaaaaaay better. Porn is basically fast food. It doesn't require much work...it's readily available...and, it's pretty filling. For most people, fast food is alright on the occasion...but, you are addicted...and, so there's really no way to move forward without cutting ties completely. At first, it will feel like you are losing so much...it will be hard...you'll start to think, "This really isn't that big of a deal...who am I hurting?" But, you know that answer to that question. And, I promise you that quitting your addiction and beginning to utilize the great things that your mind can come up with...and, really ENJOYING physically and emotionally your flesh and someone else's is way more gratifying in the end in comparison to porn. I absolutely insist on great sex...and, I have great sex. I spend a lot of time telling other people how to have great sex...and, I swear to you porn is not necessary to have great sex...it actually can kill it. One of the best things you can do though is dirty text your ideas to your partner. This is especially great if you find yourself wanting to seek porn. Instead of firing up the computer, use your brain...use your imagination...and, tell your partner what you want to do to him/her. What usually happens is that couples find themselves fantasizing and testing the waters with things that they always kind of wanted to try in bed, but were too afraid to talk about with their partners.
And, once you break the habit of posting pics of yourself CD and seeking porn...test the waters again...send a dirty pic to your SO...tell him/her what you're thinking about.
Lastly, know that you aren't alone. Many people here will fully support you...I'm one of those people. Do what is best for you. Be honest with yourself. Personally, it sounds to me like you have already tackled those two very huge steps (deciding what is best for yourself and being honest)...now, all you have to do is be kind to yourself by actually doing what you know is best.
