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Are You Addicted to Pornography?
by
Linda L. Simmons, Psy.D.
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- Pornography addiction follows behavioral cycle
- Tolerance increases with use for porn addicts
- Porn addicts are likely to suffer withdrawal
- Extensive support needed to overcome addiction
At the heart of the debate surrounding pornography is the question of whether pornography is simply entertainment enjoyed by consenting adults, or whether it is a truly harmful activity that may even lead to addiction. First of all, one must ask if pornography meets the criteria of an addiction.
Pornography, as with other addictions, follows a predictable behavioral cycle. A person becomes preoccupied with pornography and, as use increases, so does tolerance. A pornography addict will feel compelled to engage in this activity and may feel unable to control or stop the behavior. If a pleasure response is achieved, the addict will feel temporary relief. An addict who is unable to find pleasure or relief will experience frustration. When pornography is stopped, withdrawal symptoms will likely be experienced—irritability, anxiety, frustration, and so forth.
Again, the brain is also involved as the addict’s amygdala and the rest of the pleasure circuit stimulate arousal and the expectation of a pleasurable experience. The behavioral and physical reinforcements promote the continuation of the addictive cycle. How do you know if you are experiencing the symptoms of pornography addiction? Here are some questions to consider:
- Do sexual thoughts and/or behaviors monopolize your life to the exclusion of relationships and day-to-day responsibilities?
- Is it a struggle to control or stop your thinking about or viewing pornography?
- Have you lost your job or are you in danger of losing your job because of involvement with pornography?
- Do you spend more money on pornography than you can afford?
- Is it difficult to watch television or look at a magazine without flipping through the channels or pages looking for stimulating sexual material?
- Do you use pornography to escape, deny, or numb emotional problems?
- Do you feel the need to keep your pornography use secret or hidden?
- When confronted about pornography use, do you become angry, irritable, or offended?
- Has your pornography use continued despite negative consequences?
- After many attempts to stop pornography use, do you feel it is hopeless that you’ll ever gain control of the problem?
If you have answered yes to many of these questions, then you have crossed the line from pornography as possibly entertaining to pornography as addictive. You will need help and extensive support to overcome the problem.
...from The Everything Health Guide to Addiction and Recovery.
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