There are different forms of addictive behavior that affect the way we behave, think and act. Such forms of momentary addiction come as a result of addiction which produces short-term rewards. They’re closely related to the use of substances or alcohol.
Numerous theories try to explain the role that addictive behaviors play in an individual and how these behaviors lead to their manifestation. Within this article will be explained different forms of addiction, with particular emphasis on addiction to porn and sex, the role that these play in the general behaviors of an individual in society.
What is Porn Addiction?
Hypersexual disorder is a pattern of behavior that involves an intense preoccupation with sexual fantasies and behaviors that cause anxiety, are used inappropriately to cope with stress, cannot be voluntarily restrained, and endanger oneself or others.
This term is often used as an umbrella for other addictive disorders such as excessive masturbation, cybersex, pornography use, telephone sex, sexual behavior with consenting adults, strip club visits, etc.
Porn addiction is a problem that gets under the umbrella of hypersexual disorders. Referring to the term porn addiction, this can further be developed and interpreted as “Problematic use of online pornography” (PUOP).
This phenomenon is always increasing and mainly affects young people, causing various problems such as those in behavior and increasing the probability of addiction, taking into account the factor “Triple A” (accessibility, affordability, anonymity).
What Makes An Addiction?
Originally, “addiction” simply referred to “surrendering” or “being too committed” to a person or activity, or engaging in common behavior, which could have positive or negative consequences. The study of addictive behavior crosses several disciplines, including, inter alia, behavioral neuroscience, epidemiology, genetics, molecular biology, pharmacology, psychology, psychiatry, and sociology.
This means that we have different definitions from all disciplines, but in genesis, the definition that includes the same essence in principle explains that addiction is complex but treatable, it is a disease that affects brain function and behavior.
In Psychology, addiction in one form or another is related to compulsion. When we refer to compulsion as a concept then it is related to addiction to drug use, i.e., repetitive behavior to achieve the effect which causes momentary satisfaction or avoidance of temporary stress. In addition to substances, people can also develop an addiction to behaviors, such as gambling (gambling disorder).
Behavior addiction is a form of addiction that involves an obligation to engage in non-substance-related reward behavior, sometimes called a natural reward despite any negative consequences on a person’s physical, mental, social, or financial well-being.
Causes of Porn Addiction
Porn addiction refers to a person who is emotionally addicted to pornography to the point that it interferes with their daily lives, relationships, and ability to function. Porn addiction comes in many forms and for many reasons. Numerous psychologists in various studies have revealed the causes that lead to addiction to porn.
Some indicators that make addiction possible in this case include lack of satisfaction in an individual’s sex life, watching porn clips can affect behavior disorder and this form can be repeated in more sensitive places such as the workplace, and viewing pornography can lead to laziness which makes it possible to avoid other responsibilities or neglect certain tasks for a certain period.
In terms of the impact that pornography can have on an individual’s brain or the neural aspect, it can be explained as the same link to drug use or addiction to drugs. This is explained by the fact that during the use of drugs when a person becomes addicted to them, the same or higher dose must always be taken so that the effect is the same, so, similar is the effect of pornography as it involves the release of dopamine neurotransmitters (pleasure), at the moment when the videos are with less sexual intensity then porn addicts find videos with higher intensity to achieve the desired pleasure.
So, some of the main causes that lead to porn addiction are unsatisfactory sexual intercourse, mental disorders such as psychological stress, so individuals can watch porn to get away from this disorder, cultural principles whereas their cause an individual can be involved in watching porn to learn more about various aspects throughout the sexual process, positions or similar, as well as biological factors including brain response to pornography that can change the way it functions and increase the risk for to become addicted.
Anxiety about sexual performance may impel further reliance on pornography as a sexual outlet.
Treatment Options for Porn Addiction
Consumption of pornography is highly developed, especially among young men. For some individuals, pornography is simply a form of entertainment, while for others problematic pornography use (PPU) accompanied by excessive masturbation promotes seeking treatment.
Porn Addiction Therapy & Rehab
Porn addiction is not considered a disorder by the DSM but indirectly belongs to the group of Compulsive Sexual Disorder known as a form of the disorder that affects the mental, physical and sexual condition of an individual.
As such, behavioral disorders can be treated in a variety of ways ranging from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is known as one of the most effective therapies for coping with behavioral disorders especially when dealing with younger ages.
Individuals addicted to porn and who find it impossible NOT to watch porn, ie watch for a relatively long period (7-8 hours a week), should seek treatment from adequate professionals such as psychologists.
Psychologists can help treat porn addiction through coping techniques such as practicing meditation and relaxation techniques, engaging in physical activities and exercises, and similar techniques that help with emotional and behavioral self-regulation.
Porn Addiction Accountability Groups
Accountability groups are groups that consist of several individuals who have common goals, to help each other by expressing themselves to each other about their problems, challenges, or goals. They set goals for the coming weeks, discuss them, and try to make progress on the parts that tempt them.
Team support can be defined as the process of giving and receiving nonprofessional, nonclinical assistance from individuals with similar conditions or circumstances to achieve long-term recovery from psychiatric, alcohol, and/or other drug-related problems, as well as pornography.
Accountability groups or support groups include individuals who have the same concerns and in different ways support each other to pass difficulties together. It is a very good form of overcoming stressful and anxiety-causing situations.
In this case, it is a very good way to deal with porn addiction where through discussion, goal-setting (such as reducing porn viewing), and achieving them, comes the facilitation of achieving the goal, self-control, and positive behavior change.
Resources
There are various forms of awareness of individuals on topics such as addiction to Pornography. The various sources which are presented below are the best forms of providing fair and accurate information to anyone about porn addiction, difficulties, distress, and harms it can cause in an individual’s life.
Books on Porn Addiction
Various books reveal the role of constantly watching porn in an individual’s life.
Some of the books that outline this role are listed below, we’ve also done a full writeup with our reasoning for choosing them.
1. Treating Pornography Addiction: The Essential Tool for Recovery – Dr. Kevin B. Skinner;
2. Your Brain on Pron: Internet Pornography and the Emerging Science of Addiction – Gary Wilson
3. The Porn Trap: The Essential Guide to Overcoming Problems Caused by Pornography – Wendy Maltz & Larry Maltz
4. Breaking the Cycle: Free Yourself from Sex Addiction, Porn Obsession, and Shame – George Collins
5. The Porn Myth: Exposing the Reality Behind the Fantasy of Pornography – Matt Fradd
Apps on Porn Addiction
We’ve done a full dive down and review of the top apps to help with a porn addiction. They’re listed below.
Conclusion
As discussed in this article, Pornography is a topic that affects mostly young people, affects their daily lives, affects the destabilization of romantic relationships and sex life, as well as affects the increase of stress, anxiety, psychological distress and increases the chance of developing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Anxiety Disorder (AD), Conduct Disorder (CD), and related behavioral disorders.
Those affected by this addiction which is being examined day by day by professionals in the field should seek treatment from professional psychologists through the therapies which are suggested by them, and not receive invalid information on the internet that may affect the bad way to these individuals.
Such individuals can also educate themselves through books written by professional authors as well as can help themselves through mobile applications which aim to raise the awareness of individuals affected by this addiction.
The information presented in this article is entirely part of scientific articles published by professionals in the field such as Psychologists, Sociologists, Psychiatrists, and Neurologists. You can safely rely on this information.
References
NIDA. 2020, July 10. Drugs and the Brain. Retrieved from on 2021, March 12
Tracy, K., & Wallace, S. P. (2016). Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction. Substance abuse and rehabilitation, 7, 143–154.
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