Sample Accountability Questions
Sample Accountability Questions
For those in recovery from pornography or other media addiction, we suggest developing 1-3 regular accountability partners that you check in at least once or twice a week if not daily. The following is a list of suggested questions; feel free to modify as appropriate for your situation.
1. Have you viewed any pornographic image since we last spoke, intentionally or not? Have you acted out in any way since we last spoke? If so, how and what steps will you take to avoid doing so in the future?
2. Have you done anything since we last spoke that you are ashamed of? If your wife (or husband) knew what you've done today, would she (or he) be pleased? If not, why not?
3. Have you been monitoring when you become Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired (HALT)? Have you dealt with those needs before they could become triggers?
4. Are you willing to do whatever is necessary to protect your sobriety for the next 24 hours, including:
· rigorous honesty
· physical care of your body
· praying to God
· calling on others (especially calling a lifeline during intense temptation)
· forgiving all resentments
· refusing all lust opportunities as toxic
· reading literature
· going to meetings
· setting boundaries
· maintaining an attitude of gratitude
5. How has your spiritual life been? Have you prayed, sincerely? Is there anything you need prayer for?
6. Are you keeping the commitments from your Media Sobriety and Recovery covenant?
Adapted, in part, from Tom Buford’s accountability questions and other sources.
Links to Other Lists of Questions
Fires of Darkness (Tom Buford)
firesofdarkness.com/accountability.htm
Character Building Questions for Life Transformation Groups
Extensive lists from Church Multiplication Associates
www.takethejourney.org/ltg/questions.htm
Daily Sobriety Renewal
Used by one of the 12-Step groups for addicts
sasandiego.org/daily_sobriety_renewal.htm
1) Are you willing to admit you are powerless over lust and sexual acting out, just for today?
2) Do you desire sobriety for the next 24 hours: freedom from sexual obsession and acting out, freedom from fear, resentment, shame, and isolation?
3) Are you willing to do whatever is necessary to protect this desire including spiritual reading, reaching out and calling others, prayer and meditation, physical care of your body, setting appropriate boundaries, and refusing all lust hits as toxic?
4) Do you realize that at the end of these 24 hours, you are free to continue with sobriety or to go another way?
5) Do you understand that this renewal does not keep you sober (God does), but it does make you aware of yourself and accountable to others?
6) And, just for today, are you willing with me to hand over your will and the care of your life to the One Who kept you sober yesterday and has protected you from the full consequences of your lust in the past?
God,
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Thy will, not mine, be done.
7) Have you done anything in the last 24 hours that you’re ashamed of? Are you planning to do something you will be ashamed of?
8) Exchange at least one gratitude.
