Porn
Addiction Characteristics
The following characteristics will
help you to confirm your own addiction status. The more of these
traits you find in yourself, the more likely it is that you are
addicted to porn.
Out of control use of
pornography
Examples include: Compulsive viewing of porn and simultaneous
masturbation, very regular frequenting of strip clubs, compulsive
telephone and cyber sex sessions.
Inability to stop using porn, in
spite of consequences
Consequences include: Loss of partner or spouse, severe
relationship problems and loss of career (e.g. being fired for
viewing porn on a company computer.)
Stubborn
pursuit of self-destructive behaviour
Porn addicts quite often feel that they are entitled to the
unlimited supply of porn. They respond with anger if anyone comes in
the way of quenching their thirst for pornography.
On-going, failed efforts
to stop using pornography
Intermittently, porn addicts become aware that something is wrong
and attempt to control their addiction. Some move to new cities or
neighbourhoods. Others seek refuge in religious activities to soothe
their shame. Pornographic anorexia may also be attempted in which
addicts abstain from all use of pornography.
In spite of their efforts, however, they eventually resume using
pornography and may go on pornographic binges as they try to catch
up on what they missed during the self imposed deprivation.
Using porn and fantasy as
a primary coping strategy
Porn addicts believe that porn will solve all of their problems and
fulfill all of their physical and emotional needs. This belief
sustains an arrogant attitude toward others, that prevents them from
developing meaningful relationships. This social isolation causes
them to increasingly sexualize and therefore alienate people around
them. As their isolation increases so is their use of porn in order
to cope with the resulting loneliness.
Regular increases in the
dose of pornography
Porn addicts constantly aim to increase the quantity and variety of
their pornographic experience. New pornographic experiences are
often identified with a sense of achievement.
Severe mood changes
related to pornographic activity
Porn addicts experience intense shifts in mood, often due to shame
and despair caused by their out of control addiction. Moods may
acquire a particularly intense negativity during their attempts at
freeing themselves from porn addiction. This is because the
withdrawal symptoms that they experience are quite painful,
physically and emotionally.
Spending Inordinate
amounts of time on obtaining porn
A porn addict's life is completely defined in terms of the
addiction. Everything is organized around porn. Other areas of life
are simply not considered. Porn addicts spend most of their days
obsessing about and preparing for using porn, regardless of any
other activity they are involved in. Whether at work or at home,
porn addicts devote vast mental and emotional resources to their
pornographic quests.
Porn addiction is an entrenched
habit. If you do nothing to overcome it, it will destroy your life.
The good news is that it is possible to regain freedom from
porn addiction. Help is available. Reach for it today.
Related Pages
Why It's Hard to End Porn Addiction
Porn: The Crack
Cocaine of the Net
The Solution to Porn Addiction |
