What is Porn Addiction?
In today's digital age, access
to explicit content has
become easier than ever.
In one click you can have a
vast array of porn at your finger tips.
Even though I have covered The Problem With Porn before - The Problem seems to have become an epidemic as just recently I've encountered quite a few people struggling with not just occasionally watching porn - but people WHO HAVE TO WATCH PORN, so here I'm concentrating on actual addiction.
It may seem like a harmless pastime, however - BEWARE as it can spiral into an addiction with serious consequences.
So - here is the real downside of porn addiction, its impact on individuals and relationships and a few ideas to beat the addiction.
What is Porn Addiction?
The question is how do you know when watching porn
has become a problem?
Are any of the following statements true for you:
You want to watch porn all the time?
You are constantly feeling horny and have intense sexual urges, fantasies or indulge in impulsive sexual
behaviour?
You are not able to get erect without watching porn?
You feel like you are experiencing "withdrawal" symptoms when you try to give up watching porn?
If you do any of the above and you are not particularly
worried about the consequences of your actions - then you are most likely addicted to porn.
Understanding What Is Porn Addiction
Research shows porn addiction is the same as other addictions in that there are changes in brain chemistry and neural pathways of addicts.
Repeated exposure to sexual stimuli leads to desensitization, meaning they need progressively more hardcore, extreme porn to experience the same level of arousal.
Porn addiction can also be an indication of other mental health issues, for example:
Depression
Anxiety
Low self-esteem
Escapism - by turning to pornography as a coping mechanism to escape negative emotions or stressful situations, thus further aggravating the cycle of addiction.
The Impact of Porn Addiction
The side effects of porn addiction can go way beyond just one person.
Here are a few examples of how porn addiction can impact various aspects of your life and relationships.
Strained Relationships:
Secrecy and dishonesty can cause partners to feel neglected or betrayed - leading to feelings of resentment and distrust.
Sexual Dysfunction:
Because of the far fetched expectations created by watching porn it becomes difficult to become aroused by real life people or normal sexual
encounters and so erectile dysfunction becomes a daily reality.
Guys with ED caused by porn addiction find it very hard to cure - so they turn to hard core performance enhancing medications.
Distorted Sexuality:
Unrealistic images of sex in porn can warp one's perception of sexuality, causing dissatisfaction with real-life sexual experiences and issues with size, length of performance and other body image problems quickly leads to performance anxiety.
Impact on Mental Health:
Porn addiction can be an indication of other mental issues such as depression and anxiety.
Shame and guilt can contribute to mental well-being and make it easy to fall into the trap of starting to experiment with "happy pills" and "mood elevators", medications with side effects that include erectile dysfunction.
Solutions for Porn Addiction
Escaping porn addiction is just as challenging as overcoming any addiction.
But it is "DO-ABLE"
Eight Tips For Solving Porn Addiction
STEP ONE
Acknowledge the Problem:
The first step to recover from ANY addiction is acknowledging problem.
Recognize the negative impact porn addiction is having on your life and relationships.
STEP TWO
Seek Professional Help:
Consider consulting a clinical psychologist or counselor experienced in treating sexual addiction.
Therapy can help you explore issues causing the addiction and pinpoint strategies for managing your impulses or triggers and also work on ways to treat your addiction.
STEP THREE
Limit Access to Porn:
Take practical steps to limit your exposure to pornographic material.
A few things you can do at once is
Install website blockers.
Set up parental controls. or a
Avoid triggers like certain website and social media platforms.
STEP FOUR
Find Healthy Outlets:
Explore alternative activities and hobbies that promote overall well-being and fulfillment.
Engage in physical exercise.
Pursue creative outlets.
Read a book.
Write a book.
Learn something.
Do anything to keep yourself busy!
STEP FIVE
Communication Is Crucial:
If you are in a relationship - be open and honest.
Talk to your partner, share your struggles and work together to rebuild trust and intimacy.
Consider couples therapy.
STEP SIX
Practice Self-Compassion:
Give yourself a break - Overcoming porn addiction is a process that takes time, effort and patience
Be kind to yourself as you navigate the challenges and setbacks along the way.
STEP SEVEN
Connect with Support Groups:
Joining a support group or online community for individuals struggling with porn addiction can provide valuable encouragement, accountability, and peer support.
Sharing experiences with others who understand can help you feel less alone in your journey towards recovery.
Step Eight
Your Mantra Or Positive Affirmation:
Porn addiction is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences for individuals and relationships.
However in any situation facing you keep one thought
in mind:
I THINK - THEREFORE:
I AM AND I CAN!!
So now that you have a better understanding of porn addiction, I think you can begin to see that you are not alone.
There are ways to break the porn habit, recovery is possible with dedication, support, and perseverance.
© Ariana Robson
Mar 2024
Photo: edited from at efes pixabay.