Many people in Western culture consider porn to be part of their sex lives. For them, it is more of a pastime than an addiction. With that, since 2020, a popular porn site has been accessed by 15 million people. 50 per cent of that figure that are watching porn are men in the UK. Porn addiction has since then become one of the most reported forms of addiction.
What is Porn Addiction?
Porn addiction is a type of sexual addiction. The World Health Organization recognises it as a compulsive sexual behaviour disorder. It is characterised by excessive pornography use and the compulsion to view porn but not being able to stop. Just like other forms of addiction, pornography addiction can often be detrimental to a person’s overall well-being.
Who Needs Counselling?
Watching too much porn could get an individual addicted. However, does that necessarily mean they need counselling? Anyone who is struggling with the compulsive use of pornography needs to seek help.
Getting addicted to pornography can cause problems in various areas of your life. It is crucial to get counselling and therapy before a person’s pornography habits can get worse. Addiction may be a tough battle to win but with professional help, porn use can be controlled and recovery is one step closer.
Please note that some centres offering counselling also do mandatory reporting. However, this only happens if the individuals undergoing counselling consume illegal pornography (e.g., child pornography).
How Porn Addiction Counselling Works at Kembali
Kembali Rehab Centre understands that recovery from addictive behaviour is not a one-size-fits-all process. That’s why we offer treatment for porn addiction that is based on your individual needs and condition. We carefully assess each individual to determine the root causes that have led to their addiction to pornography. We will then offer therapy for porn addiction that is appropriate to them. Our porn addiction treatment may include the following:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Psychoeducation Sessions
- Mindfulness and Meditation
- Relapse Prevention and Aftercare Service
Get professional help from our therapists at Kembali Recovery Centre. We have a counsellor for pornography addiction counselling and sex addiction specialists who will guide you throughout the process. With our customised treatment plan, you will be taking the first steps towards overcoming pornography addiction.
Signs and Symptoms of Pornography Addiction
Just because a person is watching porn, doesn’t necessarily mean that they are addicted to it. Some of the signs and symptoms that indicate that a person may be addicted to pornography include:
Loss of Control
Because of compulsive sexual thoughts, a pornography addict may find it hard to stop themselves from viewing pornography. Despite trying to stop themselves, they have lost control and crave more.
Internet Addiction
As people want to watch more, they spend excessive amounts of time on the Internet. They’ve lost track of time and spent most of their day not doing anything. Some would neglect their responsibilities with their school, work, or family.
Unrealistic Ideas on Sexual Relationships
Because of their use of porn, they develop unrealistic ideas and expectations about sex. For them, sex and porn are the same. One would notice that they become more demanding or want to experiment with different sexual activities. If their expectations are not met, they get frustrated which could then make their partner uncomfortable.
Dependency on Pornography
Too much consumption of porn can lead to dependency. Their day doesn’t seem to be complete if they won’t be able to watch one. Some would even spend money on internet pornography. Most of these individuals are using pornography as a way to cope with anxiety, sadness, or other mental health problems.
Causes of Porn or Sex Addiction
Addiction does not happen immediately and can be caused by a variety of factors. The factors that could cause an individual to have sex or porn addiction can be:
Biological Factors
Chemical or hormonal imbalances can affect a person’s brain chemistry. Serotonin, a chemical that affects our mood and emotions, also plays a key role in a person’s sexual desire. High levels of this hormone can lead to such behaviour.
Ease of Access
Nowadays, anyone can access pornographic material such as soft and hard core pornography on the Internet. The ease of access is contributing to the addiction.
Relationship Problems
When a person is having relationship troubles, they can turn to pornography as an outlet. They could be sexually unsatisfied with their partner or feel burnout with their relationship.
Co-occurring Disorders
A person addicted to porn may have a mental health condition or be suffering from other types of addiction like sex addiction or drug addiction.
Other Pornography Addiction Treatment Options
There are different types of treatment for porn addiction. This includes:
Psychotherapy
Psychological therapy or psychotherapy is a treatment approach that involves talking to a psychologist. Through this, the underlying issues that contribute to one’s addictive behaviour can be addressed. An individual will learn healthier coping mechanisms and develop positive thought patterns.
Sex Addiction Therapy
Pornography addiction can co-occur with other types of addiction. Treating co-occurring disorders is essential for recovery. Depending on one’s condition, an individual being a sex addict might have led to them having pornography addiction and vice versa. Reach out to a sex therapist as they can provide support and guidance on how to overcome this condition.
Couples Counselling
This is ideal for porn addicts that are in a relationship. One has to understand that addiction affects not only the individual but also their partners. Through relationship therapy or counselling, problems in their relationship can be dealt with. The counsellor can guide them on how to communicate effectively, develop healthy boundaries, and rebuild trust.
Medication
In some cases, Addiction Medicine physicians will prescribe medication. It could be antidepressants or other forms of medication that are usually prescribed when one has co-occurring disorders.
Support Groups
Just like treatment and medication, support groups also have a significant impact on one’s recovery. Support groups provide them with a sense of community and lessen their feeling of isolation. Through these groups, they will receive support, share experiences, and learn coping strategies.
If you are struggling with porn addiction, please know that there is help available. With the right form of treatment and support, you will be able to effectively quit porn and overcome addiction.
Get Porn Addiction Therapy at Kembali
Pornography addiction is complex and may not be stopped immediately. However, don’t let pornography get the best of you. Porn addiction help is a call away. Kembali Recovery Centre offers tailored treatment programmes that will be helping you overcome porn addiction effectively. Contact us and seek help from our specialists. We’re here to help you take back control of your life.
