Porn Addiction: What Causes It And How To Deal With It

Pornography is a controversial subject.

It's not for anyone, but some people enjoy it and use it regularly. However, addiction is usually the result of regular use. Porn addiction eventually leads to many issues. I will list a few here:

• sexual addiction
• hypersexual disorder
• sexual abuse
• behavioural addictions
• compulsive disorders
• mental health disorders
• mood disorders
• loss of quality of life
• psychological distress
• relationship issues
• social isolation

Unfortunately, pornography is not officially considered an addictive behaviour by the American Psychiatric Association. However, viewing pornography can be just as problematic for some people who experience an uncontrollable compulsion to watch it.

Because the concept of porn addiction has not been officially recognised by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), there are currently no official diagnostic criteria for diagnosing people who suffer from porn addiction.

We'll look at the differences between compulsion and addic­tion and review how to deal with both. You will learn to:

• Identify habits which may cause problems for you.
• Change unwanted behaviours into desired ones.

What is Porn Addiction?

According to the National Institute on Media and the Family, pornography addiction is defined as compulsive sexual behaviour that causes distress or impairment in daily life. While porn addiction is common among men, women can develop similar problems.

Types of Porn Addiction

There are several different types of porn addiction, including:

• Hypersexuality: When you become sexually aroused by non-erotic stimuli, like watching TV shows or movies.
• Compulsivity: When you feel compelled to view pornographic material repeatedly.
• Pathological Sexual Behavior: When you engage in behaviours that are harmful to yourself or others.
• Sex Addiction: When you experience intense feelings of desire or urges to engage in sexual activity.

If you feel like someone known to you is addicted to porn, it's time to seek professional treatment.

Does it count as an addiction?

It's hard to say precisely how many men and women regularly watch pornography or how many find themselves unable to resist it.

A Kinsey Institute study found that 9% of people who viewed pornography had unsuccessfully attempted to quit. This survey was taken between 2002 and 2003.

It has become much easier to get online pornography since then.

It's easier for people who watch pornography to keep doing so because they have easy access.

A 2015 study found that Internet porn shares some of the same brain pathways as substance addictions.

Compulsion vs Addiction: There is a thin line between them; they're both defined by the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA). They say there is a distinction between compulsion and addiction.

A compulsion is a repetitive act performed without any rational reason. Addiction involves an inability to stop the habit, even though there may be negative consequences. Both involve loss of self-regulation.

Porn addiction is challenging to overcome. There are several different methods for overcoming porn addiction.

Addiction looks different for everyone.

Watching or enjoying pornography doesn't mean you are addicted to it nor require any sort of treatment.

Addictions are about losing control. And that leads to serious consequences.

If you are concerned about any of the following, you probably have an addiction:

• Find that the amount you watch pornography grows periodically
• feel as if you must watch pornography — and that watching pornography gives you a high
• feel wrong about the consequences of watching porn
• If you start watching porn, you are unable to stop looking for hours on end
• Insist that your romantic partner views pornography or acts out pornographic fantasies even if they don't enjoy them
• Are unable to have sex without first watching pornography
• Are unable to stop yourself from watching porn even when you know it's ruining your life

What causes the compulsion to watch porn?

It's difficult to explain why viewing pornography can sometimes lead to an uncontrollable compulsion.

You start looking at pornography because you enjoy it but don't feel guilty about doing so.

You might enjoy the feeling of having an adrenaline boost from the high it gives you.

At some point, it doesn't seem worth worrying whether these viewing habits are causing any kind of problem or if they will cause you to regret them later. It's just that momentary rush you can't resist.

A habit gets formed.

If you attempt to quit, you may discover you just can't do it. It's similar to an addiction where you feel compelled to keep doing something even though you know it's terrible for you.

Substance abuse and pornography addictions are similar.

Addiction to video games happens to every gamer at some point.

How do you stop this addiction?

Do you think you can stop your porn-watching habit by yourself?

Try these ideas:

• Delete all electronic pornography and bookmarked websites from all your devices.
• Throw away all your old pornography.
• Ask someone else to set up an anti-porn filter for your computer, tablet, or smartphone without telling you the password.
• Make sure you have a plan. You might want to use an alternative strategy instead of going for it when that powerful urge strikes.
• If you're looking for an excuse not to watch porn, think about how watching it has affected your relationships and career.
• Think about whether there are any trigger points and try to avoid them as much as possible.
• Find an accountability partner and frankly share your problem and take help.
• Keep a journal to record any difficulties you encounter and remind yourself of things that worked well for you in the past.
• Put your online devices, such as your computer, in a public place in your home. Then, you will not be able to watch any porn without being caught. Again, the fear keeps you accountable.
• Learn and practice Kayakalpa yoga online or visit a nearby SKY Yoga centre. Kayakalpa Yoga helps to transmute sexual energy into spiritual energy.
• Learn Kundalini meditation and practice introspection and moralise your desires. Then, superimpose your unwanted desire with a positive thought.

There are several treatments available.

You might want to see a counsellor if you have trouble dealing with your anxiety. He/she can create an individualised plan to help you cope with stress.

Therapy

If you think you might have an impulse control problem, talk to a mental health expert. It could help if you also suffer from anxiety, OCD, or depression.

If you feel porn has impacted your life, your therapist might suggest individual, group, or family therapy.

Beware of psychotherapists who claim to be experts at treating porn addiction. It's hard to become an expert in a disorder with no universally accepted definition or diagnostic guidelines.

A counselling session will allow you to learn why you developed an addiction to pornography. You may be able to use coping mechanisms to overcome these issues.

Support groups

People often feel more assertive when they talk to someone else who has experienced something similar.

Contact a primary care physician, psychologist, or local hospital for help finding local resources for sex addicts.

You may want to check out these additional resources for further reading:

• DailyStrength.org
• Rehabs.in
• Institute of Andrology and Sexual Health
• Sanctum Wellness Sex and Pornography Deaddiction Program

Medication

If you're suffering from addictive behaviour, your doctor may recommend behavioural addiction treatments, including talk and cognitive behavioural therapies. However, they may also prescribe medications for coexisting conditions, such as depression or OCD.

If you don't treat it, what happens?

If left untreated, compulsive behaviours or addictions can destroy your life. In addition, your relationship with others could suffer significantly if you don't get help for these issues.

Porn addiction may cause sexual dysfunction, depression, and anxiety.

• Poor relationship quality
• Low sexual satisfaction
• Low self-esteem

If you ignore your duties or miss out on essential things, you could face the consequences later.

Visible Symptoms to Watch out for

If your loved one has any of these symptoms, they could be experiencing a disorder:

• watches when not working or not appropriate places and times
• watches longer hours of pornography increasingly
• has trouble keeping up with his/her social, occupational, or personal responsibilities
• is experiencing relationship difficulties
• has tried to limit their intake, but they can't help themselves.

If someone close to you displays any symptoms associated with an impulse control disorder (ICD), it may be time to talk openly about their condition.

Conclusion

Watching pornography occasionally — or even regularly — doesn't necessarily mean you have a problem with sex addiction. But, eventually, it will lead to an addiction.

If you've attempted to quit but haven't succeeded, consider reaching out to a mental health professional specialising in treating compulsive behaviours, addictions, and sex addiction.

Therapists can teach you skills to manage stress and anxiety, so you feel better about yourself.

If there is anything I can help you with, please comment below. I am here to help you succeed.

Be Blessed by the Divine!
Krish Murali Eswar.