Porn Addiction
The wildfire-like spread of pornographic sites on the Internet, combined
with the large amount of X-rated material already available has some
experts on sex and addiction concerned, that an increasing number of
unsuspecting people will become victims of a rapidly growing obsession,
porn addiction. Porn addiction is characterized as a behavioral
condition resulting from the abuse or overuse of pornography. Like other
addictions, porn addiction can ruin lives and relationships. While many
people may be able to use porn without developing an addiction, some
could be in peril of developing a serious porn addiction.
‘Porn addiction’ is not classified by medical doctors as a disease, porn
addiction is defined as a psychological dependence, or addiction to
pornography, characterized by obsessive viewing, reading, and
fantasizing about pornography to the point of causing impairment to
one’s life. Some backers of this hypothesis suggest that porn addicts
should experience similar types of symptoms to those involved in
physiological addictions to drugs or alcohol, such as physical and/or
psychological problems when they attempt to quit, and desensitization to
the “substance”, creating a need for larger or stronger “doses”.
Porn addiction, like other addictions is a treatable illness. The
psychological foundations of porn addiction require behavioral and
recovery group therapy as a part of rehabilitation treatment and can
also require the administration of medications to lower the sex drive.
Marriage or relationship counseling is also a common part of the healing
process, as the damage porn addiction causes to a relationship can be
devastating and require extensive mending.
Recovery from porn addiction should involve continued participation in a
12 step or recovery type group, as well as continued avoidance or
pornographic materials, places, and situations likely to trigger a
relapse. Creating nurturing family and romantic relationships is also a
part of the recovery process for porn addiction, the building of healthy
romantic and social relationships is a strong defense against the
loneliness and objectification of porn addiction. With the proper
treatment and the learning of coping and relationship skills, porn
addiction can be overcome and a healthy romantic and personal life
reattained.
