Pornography addiction (overuse of pornography) is excessive pornography use that interferes with daily life. Currently, the DSM-IV does not consider pornography addiction as a diagnosis. Therapists are beginning to take pornography addiction more seriously.
Pornography addiction is considered to be a sexual addiction, which is any sexually-related compulsive behavior which interferes with normal living and causes severe stress on family, friends, loved one's and one's work environment.
What Is Pornography Addiction?
Pornography addicts replace important relationships in their life with pornography. Pornography addicts often isolate themselves in their sexual acting out. They can spend hours or days lost in two-dimensional images.
While some pornography addicts compulsively masturbate as a part of acting out, others engage in masturbation minimally and can still lose themselves in the endless sexual images and websites found online.
Signs That Pornography Usage is Problematic:
- Pornography use feels out of your control.
- Use of pornography is incomparable with values and beliefs. You feel guilt and/or remorse after using pornography.
- Use or pornography consumes your thinking. When not actively using porn, you think about it frequently and anticipate using it again.
- You spend increasing amounts of time using pornography.
- Use of pornography has negative consequences in your life. For example, you become less effective at work or in school.
- Pornography usage causes problems in intimate relationships. It may create emotional distance in intimate relationships.
Signs of a Pornography Addiction:
- Inability to stop using porn despite attempts at stopping.
- Anger if asked to stop
- Hiding - or attempting to keep secret all or part of pornography use
- Living a porn-related double life.
- Continuing the pornography addiction despite obvious consequences, i.e. relationship loss
- Getting lost (losing time) in problematic pornography use
Consequences of Pornography (Sexual) Addiction:
Social - addicts become lost in sexual preoccupation which results in emotional distance from loved ones. This can lead to the loss of friendships and relationships.
Emotional - anxiety and/or extreme stress are common for those pornography addicts who live in constant fear of discovery. Shame and guilt can spiral, especially if the behavior is at odds with the personal values and beliefs of the addict. Boredom, fatigue and despair are inevitable as addiction progresses. The ultimate consequence may be suicide.
Legal - pornography addiction may lead to greater risk-taking behaviors that can end up with the addict engaging in illegal activities while "chasing a high." The addict can lose his or her job and/or professional licenses if the addiction goes unchecked.
Spiritual - loneliness, resentment, self-blame and self-pity can easily arise from pornography addiction.
How To Change Patterns of Behavior Related To Pornography Usage:
- Change routines and environments that lead to pornography usage. Learn to avoid high risk situations.
- Make a pro/con list of using pornography. Do the benefits really outweigh the consequences?
- Spend less time alone.
- Review relationships and friendships. Are they satisfying? What would make them more satisfying?
- Learn new ways of coping with feelings like anxiety, anger, loneliness, and depression.
- Identify and use other activities that help you relax, enjoy yourself, and feel good.
Is Recovery From Pornography Addiction Possible?
Yes. Many thousands of addicts know that recovery is absolutely possible and within your reach when the following principles are followed:
- Acceptance of the disease and it's consequences.
- Commitment to change
- Surrender to the need to control the compulsions.
- Willingness to learn from others in recovery for sexual addiction.
- Twelve step programs, support groups, and from trained therapists.
Pornography Addiction Resources:
Find a therapist who specializes in the treatment of pornography addiction.
Am I A Sex Addict? Sex addict screening test. Are you a sex addict?
Sex Addicts Anonymous 12-step program focused around the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Codependents of Sex Addicts Anonymous - COSA is a twelve-step recovery program for men and women whose lives have been affected by another person's compulsive sexual behavior.
The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health - offers hope and valuable resources to those seeking information about sexual addiction.
