Pornography Addiction

by Victoria B., posted in Addictions, Behavioral Addictions, Mental Health

The term “pornography addiction” always gets a  raised eyebrow reaction. But, what make it so addictive? Why should it matter? People are free to have their own interests. That’s true, but viewing pornography can mess with your brain in the same way drugs do. And, just like drugs and alcohol a little can be ok (sometimes even beneficial) but “too much” can cause problems.

Whether you’re taking drugs or viewing pornography the addiction process is the same.

Here are three things that happen when a person suffers from an addiction:

  1. Chemical – you over-expose the brain with pleasure chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and epinephrine
  2. Re-wiring – your brain changes to accommodate the extra chemicals
  3. Dependency – You build a tolerance and a dependency to the chemicals. You go from “wanting” the pleasure chemicals in order to feel good to “needing” them.

This happens in the frontal lobes: The area of your brain responsible for making-decisions and logically thinking through situations and scenarios. This is the part of your brain most affected by addiction.

Come on … it’s harmless, it’s not like porn is going to kill you like abusing drugs can.

Pornography addiction can affect a person in the following ways:

  • Relationships – Porn decreases your interest in a real relationship and increases your appetite for more porn
  • Infidelity – Pornography use increases the marital infidelity rate by more than 300%
  • Divorce – 56% of divorces involve at least one of the people having “an obsessive interest in pornographic websites”
  • Cyber Sex – more than 50% of people involved in cyber-sex eventually lost interest in sex with a loved one
  • Addiction – 40% of addicts marriages end in divorce.
  • Behavior – Pornography is directly related to negative perceptions, attitudes and aggression towards the opposite sex.

Lifestyle and Happiness Aspects:

  • Twice as many people who use internet pornography are reported to have severe clinical depression compared to non-users.
  • There is a significant relationship between frequent porn use and feelings of loneliness and major depression
  • 58% of addicts suffer major financial loss
  • One-third of addicts lose their jobs

Prolonged exposure to pornography can change your beliefs:

  • Cynicism about love or the need for affection between partners
  • Loss of hope for sexual monogamy
  • Exaggerated perception of sexual activity in society
  • Less trust between intimate couples
  • New belief that promiscuity is normal.

Trends

The flavors of porn are more varied than ever. The infamous “Rule 34” is true. It states that “if it exists, there is porn for it”. Yikes.  There is a Amazon.com version of internet pornography called Pornhub. They came out with their 2014 “year in review” statistics. It’s really sad that the number one search term is “teen”. This category is entirely dedicated to girls who look younger than 18 years old. The company takes pride, in offering their clients what they want. In their annual report, they boast “If Pornhub users all over the world are thirsty for one thing in particular, it’s teen-themed porn, as “teen” was the most searched term in the world both this year and last.”

Love Drug
Porn addiction and sex addiction are treated as two separate disorders. Porn addicts are often hooked to virtual or visual stimulation and not to sex itself. Often a porn addict is not interested in meeting someone to engage in sex; he or she only wants to view it.

Do you think that the viewers are starting to think that sex with teens is not that big of a deal? I don’t want to sound like an alarmist, but the science states that watching port rewires the brain. For several decades now, porn has become the most common version of sex education for many people.

Debate

Pornography is a loaded subject. Opponents argue that it can ruin marriages, lead to sexual addiction or other unhealthy behaviors, and encourage sexual aggression. Proponents claim that porn can enhance sex lives, provide a safe recreational outlet and perhaps even reduce crime.

The bottom line: if it is pornography is causing problems in your life, then it is a problem. Period. There are many types of treatment facilities that offer porn addiction rehabilitation and recovery programs. Porn addiction is a behavioral addiction that is based largely on secrecy, habit and the thrill it provides. To get help, there are several things you can do:

  • Talk about your addiction in detail with a therapist or a friend that you trust. Choose someone who will be as honest in return.
  • Check into an Inpatient or Outpatient treatment program.
  • Make a relapse prevention plan so that you are prepared for the times that you may feel tempted to use porn again.
  • Install tracking devices on your computer, phone and television so that a trusted individual can help monitor your online behavior.
  • Be aware of the signs and stages of porn addiction. This means general signs, as well as those that are unique to you.
  • Use porn addiction resources available to you, such as 12-step programs, therapists and support groups.
800RecoveryHub.com
Our 800RecoveryHub site offers free and confidential help

59 thoughts on “Pornography Addiction”

  5. Thank you, Victoria. I thoroughly enjoyed the details that your presented in the article. I experienced many of the things that you shared with us. I hope you do not mind, I reblogged it for my readers who will enjoy and appreciate this informative post. I am grateful for your contribution. Thanks.
    Dale

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  8. A truly awesome and blessed message for all to read and comprehend. Thank you for sharing. May God bless you abundantly as you walk into your divine destiny in Jesus name Amen.

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  13. Reblogged this on Out Of Sin and commented:
    800RecoveryHub has a good post today on porn addiction and its impact on one’s life. Mentioned is the physiological aspect on the brain and how porn mimics substance abuse. Most surprising was the stats, leaving those that say “it’s not hurting anyone” to sit and ponder the impact.

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  14. A job well done. I recently gave a presentation on sex addiction and pornography at a Christian counseling center. One of the attendees lost her marriage to her husband’s porn addiction. I agree that this problem is often ignored as being innocent voyeurism. Viewing porn certainly causes physiological (brain chemistry) changes. It is very similar to the high caused by opiates and cocaine. Thanks for blogging about this important topic.

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  15. Any human sense addiction is bad from sugar to porn. Being human, we have a hard time fighting our urges, and sometimes animal instincts. But to deny they exist,l leads to much trouble. I am still trying to stay in control of my animal urges, sweet tooth, over-thinking, etc.. Good post!

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  18. Oops! I should have proof read before sending my last post. It should have read — thank you for the statistics that you provided. It is very informative, and a little scary too, Charles Quail+

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  19. Reblogged this on Ink Pastries and commented:
    Addiction falls under one over-arching category: distraction, which is Satan’s tool, or the ego’s (if you prefer psychology jargon), for keeping you in slavery. Let God bring you out of Egypt….now! Read the Old Testament and see yourself in it–don’t be a grasshopper afraid of giants. He is with you!

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  22. Very goo post. Although I must admit, as someone who consumes porn, I think it is like anything else. You must find a balance. I enjoy porn, and so does my significant other. I’ve watched it since I was a teenager and I have no agreession or degrading feelings toward women. Nor do I have most if the problems mentioned above. Moderation is key

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  23. You write a good piece. I think that overindulgence in anything, whether chemical or process, can cause change. Pornography, a process addiction, can be a real problem. As with all addiction, the element of shane and fear of disclosure is consistent. There is too much of it. There is too much Internet. The availability will be always there. Freedom of choice and speech will continue to be used effectively. But keep this crap away from the children.

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  29. Reblogged this on ocdandback and commented:
    I like that this article mentions the effects of porn on the brain AND the subsequent effect of porn on relationships. Also, it is a good point that porn can gradually change our perception of what is acceptable, such as having sex with minors.

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  30. thank you for your article – i noticed on your list of addictions that you dont list sex as a separate addiction – too bad – for those of us who suffer from this addiction you can get information at http://www.saa-recovery.org. i have been addicted to porn for 37 years but only admitted it as a problem 3 years ago – there is help. I am gratefully sober one month.

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  34. i agree with one other person, porn has been such a negative result on my life, addictions seem to be saying, ‘I can’t stand to be alone; so I need comfort, so porn is a substitute for loneliness as is chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, it is a substitute for our/mine life to face our fear or fears, it is a substitute for being alive i think, or to feel alive.

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  39. Reblogged this on lisawingrovemac's Blog and commented:
    Good stuff. I have always had a problem with pornography though i subscribe in general that mist things are ok in moderation when it comes to pornography we cross lines. Pornograhy not only does all the things you rightly speak about but i believe it breeds the very seeds of child pornography and the degrading and demeaning of women. In turn abuses of the same often follow. For all these reasons as with an addiction it is strongly supported to seek help. Please reach out.

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  40. I found this interesting and informative. I find addiction to be ambiguous to the person so listening to others speak about it helps broaden my own understanding and hopefully helps me to better navigate through my life.
    I stopped looking at porn sometime ago. I saw it as being as a gateway drug, so to say, to my addiction to substance abuse.
    I like the definition of addiction meaning “compulsive behavior that has clearly negative effects on a person because of it.”
    What I find interesting is how one kind of behavior that is addictive to someone can be stopped by self wil by that person and not another yet they can have other behavior that is truly addictive and self will alone does not help them but the other person can stop that behavior with self will. So addiction is more about the person and not the behavior. For some reason we are individually “wired” to specific addictive behavior. Seen in that light addiction takes on a much broader and encompassing population. The idea of security can be a addiction in itsel. Someone can be so concerned with protecting themself that they isolate themself and never see the addictive behavior. That example can be synonymous with wealth, health, awareness, enlightenment and many other types of behavior that seem socially acceptable yet they can harm the individual in ways they overlook because of the way we look at or define addiction.

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  41. The reason I am very uncomfortable with pornography is that I wonder if the girls are happy with themselves doing this stuff. I get more uncomfortable if I think they are enjoying it. Am I screwed up? Is the world screwed up? Even that I used the word ‘screwed’ probably says something. Ah Hell, I’m getting too old for this shit.

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    1. I write on a lot of different subject, so I appreciate your feedback. Please feel free to disagree with me!

      I got so many followers by 1. I interact with a lot of other bloggers, by reading, liking and commenting on other posts. 2. I am active on other platforms and share articles on Twitter, Google + etc. 3. I wrote 109 articles in the last year.

      I hope you come back and visit. I am going to go and check out your site.

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  43. I thoroughly enjoyed your article. However, there is one comment with which I, as a recovering porn addict, would take exception. In your blog you state, “And, just like drugs and alcohol a little can be ok (sometimes even beneficial) but “too much” can cause problems.”

    I most certainly do not agree with this on several levels, but the primary issue is that ANY use of porn is totally contrary to God’s perfect plan for us and, as such, allows sin into our lives and, if married, into our marriages. The harm, both personal and relational, caused by this addiction cannot be overstated and just as some consider marijuana to be a ‘gateway’ drug, even ‘soft porn’ can serve as a gateway to harder and harder versions of porn. As with other drugs, our bodies become used to the stimulants released through these activities. This causes many to seek newer, different, and even darker forms of stimulation in an effort to achieve the same ‘thrill’ (or escape from reality) and has been shown to lead to criminal activities in some cases. Thank you for an excellent article pointing out the dangers of this oft overlooked issue!

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    1. Thank you so much for your candor. Your perspective is invaluable. I have dozens of articles on many types of addictions and mental illnesses. I have personal experience with some but not all. … That is a good thing 😏

      However, what I meant was — like drugs and alcohol for the non-addict or non-alcoholic , a little can be ok. For example, if a person is not an alcoholic — having a few drinks on the weekends is fine; for me, having one sip is too much.

      Bottom line – I feel that Porn can have its place (when consumed “responsibly”) in a healthy relationship when neither party has a porn addiction.

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      1. Unfortunately, I can also relate to various addictions and am grateful to have come out the other side more-or-less intact… 🙂 Will still have to respectfully agree to disagree on ‘responsible’ use.

        Thanks and have a great day!

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  45. There is a noticeable volatility to my husband’s behavior when he’s engaging in his addiction. His temper becomes shorter, he’s always yelling at the kids and wants nothing to do with spending time together. People need to understand that just like some people shouldn’t drink or be around those who do, some people shouldn’t view sensual images or be around people who encourage it.

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  46. My body-sharing twin is a porn peddler and I applaud this well written, fact-based article. The problem with porn is addiction, not the porn itself. Many people use it as a healthy sexual outlet. Those that don’t use it as a tool but they can also identify they don’t use it as intended should seek help with their addiction if they want to change. In the meantime, my twin hopes to make writing sexually explicit stories profitable, IE, she continues to write porn. Fine, suspense romance as her publishers labeled her work.

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  47. I ejaculated for the first time in 56 days without porn or masturbation (well, my girlfriend have me a handjob, it finally felt amazing). My girlfriend is so patient and understanding but losing erections during intimacy really hurts her. I got into porn once things went sour in my marriage… We broke up, then the enormity of the addiction hit me. Check my blog if anyone’s going through a similar situation.

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  49. It’s very sad that porn addiction doesn’t get enough attention. I personally know of many whose marriages have been destroyed because of it, including mine. My husband is seeking therapy but little has changed. Thank you for such a wonderful article.

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