It’s something that’s not often talked about, but porn addiction is something that is very real, and very debilitating.
According to UK Rehab, pornography addiction is the ‘compulsive manifestation of sexual behaviour and impulses in combination with, and partly as a result of, the consumption of pornographic material, despite the negative consequences of such consumption.’
They add: ‘As with any behavioural addiction, an addiction to pornography develops as a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain’s reward centre, driving repeated consumption of pornography, often to the exclusion of previously enjoyed activities and at the expense of work or academic endeavours and hitherto cherished relationships.’
Like with any other addiction, porn addiction comes with its own symptoms, and it can interfere with daily life, work, friendships and most prominently, relationships.
Here are eight signs you could have a porn addiction.
You can’t stop viewing pornography
No matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to stop going back to your computer/phone to watch porn. You might not even realise just how much time you’re spending on the internet looking at it.
You’ve lost interest in physical sex
Losing interest in sex due to watching too much porn can be a sign of an addiction. You may become distant in bed, or completely uninterested in anything sexual with anyone else, especially without the use of pornography.
You’ve lost interest in your relationship
Not just sex, but you might also find you’ve lost interest in your relationship. While this could of course also be a separate concern, you may find that you’re fantasizing about the people you see in porn rather than your partner or even comparing your partner to the people you see on screen.
You experience cravings
Like with other addictions, you experience cravings that often you can’t seem to fight. Just like that drag of a cigarette after going without one for hours, falling back into a night of streaming porn can feel like a temporary release, before it’s met with feelings of guilt and shame.
You’ve fallen into debt
If you’re using more personalised services, you might find you’ve been overspending to the point of falling into debt, to satisfy your cravings.
You can’t get off without visual stimulation
You may find you feel ‘numb’ down there when you’re not getting off to porn. Like you can’t experience anything sexual without a visual screen-aid. This can become disruptive in relationships,
It’s started to affect your day-to-day life
If you find yourself constantly distracted by the thought of porn, then you could be facing an issue. It could also be taking you away from important things such as work and your relationships.
Your loved ones have noticed a change in your personality
Who knows you better than your family and friends? They may not know the reason for your change, but noticing enough to know you’re no longer yourself – with no other cause to blame – is a huge sign that it might be time you sought some help.
There are specialised therapies for porn addiction, and the prognosis is good. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one often used, as well as talk therapy and counselling.
There are also medications available.
The biggest thing is actually seeking help. With so many feeling ashamed, opening up about porn addiction isn’t something that is easy, and many people feel relecuant to seek help because of the stigma around the condition.
To deal with this, it’s always important to open up to someone you love and trust, and to find a mental health professional who specialises in what you’re going through.
Addiction can majorly impact your life, and help is always available.
Remember that your mental health is most important – and opening up about what you’re dealing with puts it to the forefront, and starts you on your journey to recovery.
