Lately I've been considering the idea of giving up the hobby. As I posted in another thread, last week I saw 3 providers in the TER Top100. I'm feeling pretty much like an addict. I figure I've spent in the 100k neighborhood on this hobby, and combine that with the liability and danger. I don't really remember ever trying to cut back or quit altogether, so I feel I'm in somewhat uncharted waters. Who among you have tried to quit? Any stories or tips. This is really the only thing I've ever been addicted to, and I don't think it will be easy to stop.

I have had my battles with other demons.  Alcohol, other drugs, cigarettes to name a few.  There are support groups for almost every obsession known to man.  I believe the one that singles out what you are possibly struggling with is called "sex addicts anonymous".  Google it and I am sure you will find a lot more info.  Good luck to you!

I too am familiar with this phenomenon, and I too have spent many a dollar in this hobby.  However, in my case, I look at it as a reward.  When I first got involved in the fall of 2011, I began to give up many of my bad habits, like drinking and overeating.  I became healthier, lost over 25 pounds and started eating healthy.  All of this led me to feel that I could hobby and the money I used to spend on food and alcohol, I could use to see the ladies.  Yes, one needs to stay within his means, whether that means taking some weeks off, or seeing some amp places or getting less expensive massages (with or without happy endngs) along with seeing the regular  wonderful bevy of beauties available to us both locally and those visiting our fair city.

The other posters have provided good advice.  Unless you cut off your fun parts, the urge will still be there.

Hobbying is just an addiction..you have to control it..it sounds like it is controlling you..you have to manage your budget..letting your dick do it is not a great idea..

CTP-your hobbying resume indicates that you're probably scraping by without my hobby funds. Your review list is pretty much a who's who in the escort industy. I've always been in awe not only of your amount of carousing, but in your participation on the boards and with reviews. Keep up the good work; I count on your reviews and posts. But maybe I should have been clearer in my original post. I mentioned the money more as an aside than anything. I've never put myself in financial peril by my activities. I guess I'm more disturbed at the compulsion that seems to be involved.

I referred to the demons I have gotten past and food is not one of them.  Obviously you have demons you are struggling with or you wouldnt spend all your time on here trying to find fault with everybody elses.  Why dont you take that broom you are so good at swinging around and sweep up your side of the street?

One Hundred Thousand Dollars is a good chunk of change, but in this game, it's not an astronomical number.
100k = 90 3/hr cocktail dates, 71 4hr dinner dates or 37 overnight slumber party sex fests.  

If money is the issue, maybe you should try providing.

Bottom line, whether you are in a "traditional" relationship, hobbying, or both,  there is some need that is satisfied by the interaction with a woman. So some emotional and/or physical need is met. If you choose not to hobby, those needs still will be there.  And in the words of Tony Robbins, Dr. Phil, and all these other analysts that did Warner Erhard or EST training, a person will do more in life to avoid pain, than they will ever do to gain pleasure. Once you figure out what that is relative to your hobbying life, you can then begin to address controlling it.

Some guys like the thrill of being with a provider and the fact that it is illegal according to the law and the risk of getting caught.  Others like the thrill of simply paying for a provider and not the actual sex.  I know of one, now departed entertainer, who use to surround himself with providers as he simply loved the thrill of having providers around him.

maybe try cutting down...??

I had posted again saying that money was really secondary. I originally mentioned it to indicate the degree to which I had taken this hobby(looking back, I also think my 100k estimate may have been substantially low). I feel the bigger issue is the compulsivity that I'm displaying. The trajectory of my hobbying has been a steady rise. So I understand when you suggest cutting back, but it may be like asking a heroin addict(hope that's not being overly dramatic) to just ease up a little. I don't know if that is an option; it may have to be cold turkey.

Life is about choices. If you think you have a problem then maybe you do. You can choose to stop, that decision and power is yours alone. Why not give it 6 months and see how you feel? You get one life, so if something isn't making you happy, then don't continue it.