That is good advice. I'm two years free, and still have the urges, but don't follow through. The one thing i would add is that stopping without help is very difficult. It doesn't have to be professional help. Just someone who you trust enough to tell your secret to.

All SI does is re-enforce feelings of self hate and failure. Ideally, finding out why the behavior started would be nice, but usually it is buried in the subconscious. The longer one can go without inflicting injury, the better the chance of ridding yourself of the control SI has on you. Its an addiction, and like any addiction, you have do be ready to give it up. If you aren't, stopping the behavior will remain out of reach. Many people have mentioned keeping a favorite knife or blade around just in case. As long as that instrument is there, the chances of stopping are lower. Its very much like a heroin addict saying they are stopping but keeping some in their drawer, just in case. I know that you can always just go out and buy another blade, but having a favorite knife or blade is almost symbolic. Give it to someone you trust or go find a dumpster and ditch it.

Sam2