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Porn Addiction: The Real Threat behind the Screen
People all over the world are being affected by porn addiction, and most of them don’t even know it.
It is always lurking in the dark, seducing the unsuspecting with its promises of pleasure, only to destroy their lives with its cruel tricks and traps.
If you or someone you love suffers from porn addiction, this blog will help you figure out if it is time to seek treatment.
Understanding Pornography Use
With some simple questions you can determine if your use of pornography is problematic or not.
For example, ask yourself these questions to get started on a self-evaluation process.
These are basic criteria that have been developed by pornography researchers, as they studied people who used pornography in ways that were destructive in their lives.
If you answered yes to any of these questions, there may be a problem with your pornography use.
- Do you feel preoccupied with using porn?
- Is using porn creating problems for you?
- Do you feel loss of control around using porn?
- Are you spending more time using porn than originally intended?
- Have others expressed concern about your use of porn?
Signs of Pornography Addiction
Porn addiction is not always as obvious as alcohol or drug abuse.
Often, it is invisible to people around us.
However, there are telltale signs that someone is addicted to pornography.
Watching porn often affects brain chemistry and changes your responses to sexual stimulation.
If someone in your life spends much of their time viewing pornography, has trouble stopping despite negative consequences, or continues to watch porn despite promises not to do so, they may be struggling with an addiction and need help in order to recover and regain control of their life.
According to a recent study, if you answer yes to two or more of these questions, then you might have a problem with porn addiction.
This questionnaire was developed by Dr. David Ley, who conducted a research on Internet pornography for his book The Myth of Sex Addiction published in 2016.
It was designed for men who struggle with excessive use of internet pornography but women can also complete them too if needed.
You can find out more about his research on internet.
Ley found that both groups reported very similar scores when completing these questionnaires and felt that both genders could benefit from using them if they thought they had a problem with internet pornography usage or were concerned about someone else’s excessive use online.
Effects of Pornography Use on the Brain
Research on pornography addiction is limited, but current studies suggest that those who struggle with pornography addiction have different levels of brain functioning compared to those who do not.
The brains of individuals addicted to porn react differently than non-addicted brains when exposed to stimuli.
What is more, both functional MRI and PET scan results have revealed a link between porn consumption and increased dopamine production in an area of the brain called Nucleus Accumbens the same area activated by drug abuse.
And, once an individual becomes hooked on pornography, it becomes incredibly difficult for them to stop viewing explicit material because their neurological system has essentially become dependent on such stimulation in order to function properly.
Recovery from Pornography Addiction
What you need to know about getting well, staying well and understanding this very common problem.
Pornography addiction is a growing concern, both for those who struggle with it and for those who know someone affected by it.
In today’s world, getting addicted to pornography is easier than ever before, with readily available access via computer and mobile devices not to mention all of its availability on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram etc.
Recovery from pornography addiction often requires professional help in order to get past compulsive behaviors that are difficult to understand or overcome without guidance and support.
Recovering from porn addiction takes dedication, but people can and do recover.
Conclusion
No one wants to believe that they are addicted to porn, but it is important that you take a long, hard look at how much time you spend with your laptop and smartphone.
It might feel like harmless fun now, but overuse can lead to psychological issues in adults and even children, who are developing habits of their own.
This is just one more reason why it is important for both parents and kids to have open lines of communication about digital behaviors.
If you think you might be addicted or if your child shows concerning signs of addiction, consider meeting with a therapist who specializes in internet-related addictions or starting an online support group.