What Is Porn Addiction and How to Stop It

While many psychiatric professionals do not agree that porn addiction is an actual addiction, it is not a myth and for many, it represents a true problem.

This kind of addiction can cause great damage to relationships, partnerships, career, and self-esteem.

Pornography addiction unofficially falls under the spectrum of sex addictions and even though still not recognized as a mental disorder, many have gone through the challenges and consequences of being dependent on porn. Before answering the question of “how to stop porn addiction” let’s understand what is it, how it develops and what kind of effect it can have on a person’s life.

The chemistry behind the addiction

Like all other addictions, porn addiction too relies on the part of the brain responsible for giving rewards. By using a stimulus, such as pornography, the brain is tricked into releasing abnormal levels of dopamine. This reaction resembles one has when using drugs, being addicted to alcohol, and gambling.

After going through enough cycles of receiving the stimulus and releasing dopamine, the brain learns to recreate the process. Therefore, you are encouraged to take steps to ensure the dopamine flows do not stop.

After some time, the mentioned cycle grows strong enough to override conscious actions. As a result, one is driven to the point of being unable to overcome the urges and watch pornography, almost against one’s will. Once a person notices the problems this is causing in life, one usually attempts to fight those urges, which is often fruitless.

The symptoms of porn addiction

Foremost one is excessive masturbation, following the extensive and frequent watching of pornographic content. We might constitute “excessive” as the amount that interferes with the normal daily functions affecting negatively a person’s life. Another indicator is the increasing amount of time needed to find enough stimulating types of pornography to reach the climax or to be aroused.

As time goes by, more and more time is allocated to finding exciting material.

Further symptoms include a sense of distress if pornography watching is prohibited, using pornography to alleviate anxiety or depression and retrieval from social interactions due to excess of time invested in pornography watching.

The consequences of porn addiction

Depending on the level of craving, the side effects of porn addiction can be dire. The addiction itself desensitizes the addict, and the lust can grow bigger and bigger.

What once started as achieving erotic arousal through watching porn can grow into an insatiable desire, which can drive the person to play out those fantasies in real life with partners that are maybe unwilling.

Such a desire can cloud the ethical rationale and lead to a violent outcome. More often than not, the addicts will neglect the social circumstances and watch pornography in inappropriate places, such as work or public transportation. If left uncontrolled, the addiction can lead to public humiliation and even jail time.

The causes of porn addiction

Porn addiction is relatively easily developed as it leans onto the most basic survival instinct — sexual drive responsible for ensuring progeny.

This addiction is a shortcut into receiving a nature’s “happiness hormone” without actually investing time and effort into finding a partner to fulfill the sexual drive.

There can be both psychological and biological reasons for the addiction to happen. How to stop porn addiction can be answered by looking into how this plays a role in a person’s life and what has the person unsuccessfully attempted to do in order to solve the problem.

Environmental factors in early life, like abuse or exposure to sexual content, could be one of the main psychological reasons.

Others might be depression or anxiety, where the brain is looking for a way to relieve the tension caused by stress, by receiving a quick dopamine injection.

There are also genetic reasons for the addictions, as a higher level of testosterone or estrogen and genetic predisposition for impulsivity. If the person is prone to emotional de-regulation, there is a higher chance of developing the addiction.

There are also social reasons behind the curtain of addiction.

Social rejection and isolation can discourage one from investing effort into building a healthy sexual relationship and turn to an easier way.

Understanding how these factors played a role in creating the issue can help figure out how to stop porn addiction.

The recovery from a porn addiction

Breaking any kind of addiction is a difficult task and one that addicts usually need support for. 

1. The most substantial step is to recognize that the problem exists.

Reclaiming life through perseverance and hard work is possible. The best solutions depend on the individuality of the addict and the level of addiction, but there are several steps and pieces of advice that are helpful. 

2. Try to avoid extensive alone time and idleness

It’s obvious that the allurement to watch pornographic content happens when we have no more pressing matters to attend to, and we are alone. Do your best to keep yourself entertained and busy elsewhere. Find a creative hobby and socialize more with people around you. It will help, if you exercise every time you feel the emptiness of addiction withdrawal. 

3. Create your support group

Create your support group, by confiding in people you trust, who will show respect for your challenge. You will be surprised by the amount of understanding and privilege those people will show if you ask it right. If you are too ashamed to confess, try looking for support groups online or in person. 

4. Educate yourself about the problem

There is no such thing as too much information when you are dealing with the addiction. You are not alone in this, and many people have shared their experience online and you can surely reflect on some of them. To share the load that way, will ease your journey to recovery. 

5. Probably the best option would be psychotherapy

Probably the best option would be psychotherapy as it would be tailored to your own personality and needs. A skilled psychologist will help you discover and implement the most effective methods of overcoming the addiction and support you throughout the process of recovery. It will probably be uncomfortable to shed light about your thoughts and behaviors, but there is no reason for you to be ashamed in front of the professional. You recognized the issue, and you are putting an effort to make it right.