Beating an Addiction to Pornography

Addiction to porn is a form of sexual addiction but is actually quite difficult to determine as it is not easy to differentiate between a healthy interest in sex and exploration and an addiction. Some describe it as an extreme use or abuse of pornographic material, whilst other experts define it in the same way as other addictions when compulsive and secretive behaviours are coupled with a preoccupation of thoughts to the subject. The factors included in pornography consist of sexual thoughts, images and sounds, involving human bodies, sexual fantasy, arousal and activity.

There has been an increase in the incidence in pornography addiction in modern times possibly due to the advent of the internet, ease of accessibility, types of materials available, an increase in the hardcore porn available and the anonymity that goes with online use.

Recognising The Addiction

A person addicted to porn may display the following behaviours and should identify these as contributory factors that help to determine their addiction. There is often an increase in frequency of engaging in conversation about sex, fantasies becoming more in depth and dominating thoughts, considerable time spent looking at or watching material of a pornographic nature, a move to needing to watch or read about more hardcore pornography in order to achieve the same result, an increase in masturbation and restlessness and anxiety when access to these materials is denied.

If a person is trying to reduce the frequency of any of these factors, an addiction is likely and help should be sought.

How to Beat the Addiction

Confiding in a close friend is important in order to reduce the secrecy involved. Once the secrecy has been broken it often loses some of its appeal. Choose someone who is understanding and will not judge you. A person who can offer constructive advice and will help you cope with the period of withdrawal will be extremely beneficial to the recovery process.

Seek counselling, either individually or in a group to find out the causes for the addiction, how to manage it, distraction techniques and to help reduce the attraction to pornography. Counselling will also help you to find other ways of seeking pleasure from sex using legitimate sexual practices with you partner of choice.

Remove all pornographic material from the house or workplace. Reduce time permitted for surfing the internet, if possible place the PC in a public room in the house and only allow yourself to go on it when others are around.

Hypnosis can help to achieve a reduction in the urges for wanting to use porn and can be practised with a professional therapist or via a self-help technique using CDs, books or DVDs.

Keep a calendar and record thought and triggers for wanting to use porn and also try keeping a masturbation calendar if this practice was part of pornography use. Try and increase time between masturbation and write down ways in which pleasure can be derived. Exercise and roller coasters for example can all achieve an adrenalin rush that may satisfy your needs.

Try expressing thoughts through words, dance, art or music as a way of communicating strong emotional responses.Pornography addiction is a complicated disorder and sufferers do not always realise they have an addiction until they are denied access to materials. This type can be overcome using therapy and distraction techniques and individuals should remain positive that they can achieve their goals.