About Pornography
Pornography addiction began with the viewing and stashing of magazine and video pornography. And though that kind of pornography was and still is damaging, its effects pale in comparison to the effects of modern-day pornography—pornography that is amplified by new and frighteningly powerful enablers: the Internet, Smartphones, and social media.
Addicts today can feed their Internet pornography problem by viewing online still photos, downloading pornographic videos, or by having webcam sex (paid and unpaid). Some use the Internet to meet and eventually “hook up” with anonymous sexual partners. The ‘new media’ of smartphones offers some addicts instant phone-based pornography downloads along with wherever/whenever live video streaming of sexual activities, and Facebook can allow people to cruise images and profiles for hours on end.
What is porn addiction?
Similar to someone with a chemical or substance addiction, pornography addicts tend to replace important relationships and commitments with their “drug” of choice: pornography. Non-Internet porn addicts can be found in places like strip clubs and adult bookstores, but it is unlikely that they have a strip club addiction or an adult bookstore addiction. Rather, they have consistent and compulsive sexual problems that manifest in different ways.
Pornography addicts tend to isolate themselves when engaging in their sexual behaviors. They typically spend many hours or even days lost in two-dimensional images and experiences. Nonsexual Internet addiction can also be painfully isolating, causing real-life consequences for the person addicted to online gambling or fantasy games. However, Internet pornography addiction also carries a moral stigma and the likelihood that important love and sex relationships will be negatively affected.
While some sex and pornography addicts use compulsive masturbation as a part of their acting out, others engage only minimally in masturbation, yet they still end up losing themselves to the endless sexual images and sites found online.
Some signs of porn addiction can include the following:
- An inability to stop the behavior(s) and pornography use despite previous attempts to do so
- Anger or irritability if asked to stop
- Hiding or attempting to keep secret all or a part of the pornography use
- Living a double or secret life related to pornography
- Continuing the behavior despite obvious negative consequences, such as a relationship distress or job loss
Finding Healing and Hope
Reach Out for Help
Often, addicts and their partners have isolated themselves due to the shame of the addiction. To help overcome that shame and to start healing, it’s critical that you reach out and ask for help. You can do the following:
- Join a 12-step support group
- Talk to a trusted friend, clergy, or family member who will support you in your efforts to make positive changes in your life
- Begin working with a licensed therapist who is certified in treating sex addiction (see the About Us page for more information).
Those involved in Internet pornography addiction have to arrive at their own conclusion to make a change, a decision that often comes a lot later than their partners would like or can tolerate.
Pornography addiction help tips
Below are listed a few tips for dealing with pornography addiction:
- Talking about the issues in detail with a trusted friend or therapist who will be as honest with you as you are honest with them
- Making an addiction prevention plan to follow when tempted
- Putting tracking devices on your smartphone and computer so others (best not a spouse) can monitor your online behavior
- Knowing the signs of pornography addiction—both the general signs and those specific to you
- Knowing the stages of pornography addiction
- Making good use of pornography addiction resources such as 12-step meetings, sex addiction professionals, and online recovery support groups