Pornography addiction is a problem that plagues many men and women in our society today. Pornography addiction, like any other addiction, can be overcome with the right approach. There are several options available for those seeking help including therapy and support groups.
There are divers groups of people who purport that pornography is harmless, that for many, especially men, it is a “normal” part of life, almost a rite of passage in some cases. Regardless of one’s moral stance on the subject of pornography, research indicates that pornography can be extremely addictive.
The word addiction comes from a Latin term meaning “enslaved by” or “bound to”. According to Helpguide.org, addiction manifests itself in three distinct ways: Cravings, loss of control over its use and continued involvement despite its effects and adverse consequences. Like many other health maladies it is a chronic condition that changes both the brain structure and function.
Pornography can be very dangerous for several reasons. Aside from the possible constraints of addiction, pornography can lead to the degradation of the opposite sex, as well as the degradation of one’s own moral character. For some it has the ability to instill violent tendencies and adversely affect behavior. Statistics indicate that when hundreds of scenes were analyzed from the top 50 selling adult films, 88% of scenes contained acts of physical aggression, and 49% of scenes contained verbal aggression.”
Pornography also has the ability to appease or placate sexual desire. This means it is not unlikely for one with this addiction to become more and more disinterested in sexual acts that were previously considered gratifying. For some it may turn them to seek out more violent or aggressive sexual acts as they become desensitized to other forms of sex.
As one of my professors often says: A problem is a problem but a problem in isolation is a much bigger problem. You can get help but like any addiction a strong support system will be key to your ability to successfully overcome it. Seek support from family and friends, therapy and other support groups. Do not be too ashamed to ask for help, this is a problem that afflicts many and dealing with it alone will not likely produce the outcome you seek.
There are those who love you and just want to see you return to a happier version of yourself. Do not be afraid to seek out support while you work on overcoming this challenge.
For those with loved ones suffering from pornography addiction
Living with an addict can be an extremely painful experience. Manipulation and blame can make some people actually ask the question: Am I going crazy? Maybe you feel like the person you see before you is not the same person you love. Addiction can “hijack” the brain and cause the one you love to act in ways you may never have imagined possible. This is not your loved one speaking, the addiction has taken over and they need help. Your loved one may or may not be ready to face their addiction and even if they recognize they need help, the road to recovery can be long and painful, and not just for the addict.
Help is available for friends and family members of addicts. Look for support so that if/when your loved one is ready to take the journey you have the emotional fortitude to walk the path with them.
