Pornography addiction -- especially on the Internet -- is a growing problem that is gaining more and more media attention these days. In this article a U.K. therapist discusses the issue.
Pornography addiction is an increasing problem, one that is receiving growing attention in the media. It is an issue that is bringing more and more people to our therapy clinics here in the UK.
The Internet places pornography at the tip of our fingers. With the click of a mouse anyone can access all manner of porn.
What occurs when viewing pornography online escalates and gets out of control? At what point does it become an addiction? How can the porn addict access the help they need?
Pornography addiction is not yet recognized by the American Psychological Association as a mental disorder (as many other addictions are), but this does not mean that the problem doesn't exist.
The criteria for identifying pornography addiction is very similar to other addictions. Does reading, watching, thinking about, and/or viewing pornography interfere with a person's work, personal life, relationships, social interactions or family life? If this question is answered in the affirmative, then the person may well have a pornography addiction.
What are some of the issues that make pornography addiction more of a problem than it has been in the past?
Accessibility
It's easier than ever before to view pornography. Before the availability of Internet pornography, people had to physically enter an 'adult' video store, or purchase a magazine from a shop. Now, with just a quick search on the Internet, anyone can gain access to a practically limitless array of free pornography in the privacy of their own home.
Early Exposure
A recent study reported that 42% of children have been exposed to pornography on the Internet before the age of 18. Whereas in the past access to pornography would have been more difficult, with the Internet children have a greater chance at being exposed to it from an early age.
Tolerance
Some experts believe that tolerance to pornography is built up in a similar manner to alcohol and other substances. The more porn the addict consumes, the more they require in order to get the same degree of satisfaction. The Internet offers an unlimited supply of content with around 420 million different pornography websites available.
How can the porn addict access the help they need?
As porn addiction grows, so does our understanding of it. With a better understanding comes better ways to treat the problem.
The first step to recovery lies in ending the denial and recognizing that there is a problem and that the person is addicted. Once this is accomplished, there are several helpful and effective ways to treat pornography addiction.
Numerous 12-Step programs -- both on and offline -- offer help with this particular addiction. Sex Addicts Anonymous and Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous are two of the most popular. A person can also seek individual therapy and counseling, and hypnotherapy can be of enormous help in managing this addiction. Working with a professional who has experience in this area, the addict can learn to control their addiction and return to a freer way of life.
If someone you care about is experiencing an addiction to pornography, or you think you might be yourself, any of these therapeutic interventions can prove helpful in overcoming it.
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