What is porn addiction, how to stop it and is counselling available?
The condition ruins lives, destroys relationships and can possibly cause physical injury
PORN addiction is a serious condition that ruins lives, destroys relationships and cause physical injury.
Here, we take a closer look at how addiction to pornography develops in the first place and how it can be treated.
What are the symptoms of porn addiction?
It is a condition in which an individual has an unhealthy relationship with sexually graphic and explicit materials.
These can include magazines, books, videos, movies, graphic novels, and other formats that show sexual acts and/or sexualised images.
Like any addiction, the addict's behaviour will be kept secret, with them going to great lengths to keep their habit a secret.
Symptoms of porn addiction
Top rehab clinic Castle Craig lists the symptoms of porn addiction as:
- Increased isolation from family, friends, spouse, and/or sexual/romantic partner;
- Failed promises to stop consuming pornography, or deflection to a different kind of porn as “evidence” of decreased consumption and/or being in control (for example, switching from one theme or medium of pornography to another);
- Negative consequences in professional, family, relational, functioning;
- Preoccupation with accessing/consuming porn, including secretive behavior, scheduling, and strategizing;
- Feelings of shame, fear, self-disgust, and/or being out of control;
- Substantially decreased or increased desire for sexual activity related to amount of porn consumed;
- Increasing desire for increasingly explicit pornographic materials;
- Feeling unable to control/manage consumption habits;
- Dishonesty or secrecy with others regarding quantity and nature of porn consumption;
- Decreased intimacy and increased objectification of others;
- Planning life/activities/finances/relationship activities around porn consumption;
- Forgoing previously enjoyed activities/relationships to consume porn.
How do people get addicted to porn?
Like any addiction, porn addiction is down to naturally occurring chemicals in the brain which are released as porn is consumed.
Addiction centre says: "When an individual artificially overstimulates the release of these chemicals through the use of drugs, alcohol, sex, porn, or any other stimulus, the body develops a tolerance of and expectation for those chemicals that cannot be met through normal, healthy activities, and addicted individuals will continue to engage in unhealthy and even destructive behaviours in order to maintain the 'high' that has been artificially achieved."
Do only men get addicted to porn?
Women can also get addicted to porn, and suffer similar symptoms to men.
While women are traditionally more interested in erotica than porn, it is possible for them to become hooked on hardcore material.
What are the long term risks of porn addiction?
Men partial to perusing a lot of X-rated material are more likely to suffer erectile dysfunction - and it's because they are so used to looking at kinky images, experts suggest.
And those men who prefer watching their fantasies played out on screen are also less likely to enjoy actually having sex, the study showed.
Researchers surveyed more than 300 men aged between 20 and 40 who visited a San Diego urology clinic for treatment.
Castle Craig also outline other risks - including prison.
They say: "In addition to relationship breakdowns, financial strain, loss of job and family, increasing isolation, anger, depression, anxiety, and irritability, some kinds of porn are illegal and prosecution of obtaining and or possessing these materials can carry serious legal consequences that may include but are not limited to prison, parole, being placed on a sex offender monitoring program, severe financial penalties, and a criminal record."
How can I broach the subject with someone I suspect is a porn addict?
As is true when dealing with any addict, it is very important to tread carefully when speaking to someone you suspect is hooked on porn.
suggest avoiding condemnation, guilt mongering or humiliation and making threats.
They encourage being well informed before speaking to them, being supportive, and having plenty of information about their problem and what help is available to them.
Are there any famous porn addicts?
Action star Terry Crews admitted last year that he struggled with porn addiction.
He confessed that he had gone to rehab to battle his compulsive porn viewing as it "messed up" his life and threatened to derail his marriage.
"I literally had to go to rehab for it."
Former Coronation Street actor and Our Girl star Sean Ward has also spoken out about being addicted to pornography.
Speaking on Loose Women in January 2019, he opened up about his road to recovery: "I think finding out what my addictions were, where I was going wrong - you have to admit to yourself and that you are on a bad path."
Are there any charities helping porn addicts?
There is lots of help available for people who are struggling with porn addiction.
One is , which offers an online recovery course.
Can you go to rehab for porn addiction? What is the treatment for porn addiction?
People often find it hard to ask for help with their porn addiction, especially as there is a social stigma attached to being a compulsive masturbator or watching lots of porn.
Addicts may have received mixed messages from their spiritual community, family, or culture that discourages them from acknowledging the addiction because it has been labelled as shameful, weak, or evil.
However, help is available for both addicts and people affected by a loved one's addiction.
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