Addicted to Pornography?
Share
Largest Heart: Helena Bester
May 21, 2019
Introduction
Yes, it can be seen as dirty or shameful, but often an addiction to pornography helps the addict to relate to the other problems in his life.
Addiction to pornography is hard to acknowledge and even harder to stop. Only when a person comes to the crossroads of understanding the price of sustaining his behavior does the changing begin.
But, is pornography addiction?
There is a lot of controversy in the mental health field about it. If one looks at the definition of an addiction, pornography fits.
What is an addiction?
An addiction is a repetitive behavior that hinders a person’s emotional, but also psychological growth. It has a destructive impact on personal relationships and someone's work. Loneliness, depression and low self-esteem are the results.
Everybody does it
The porno industry is a ten-billion-dollar industry in the US. It might be easy just to brush the topic aside. Pornography can't be a real addiction, can it?
It can.
Porn – as a repetitive habit that cannot be stopped, provides an outlet for some people for their most primal feelings and desires.
Early relational trauma
Neglect and abuse
Many people who struggle with pornography have experienced early abuse in childhood. It could have been neglect, verbal- or emotional abuse or sexual abuse. It could be a combination of some of these factors. The damage was never acknowledged, and the child has hidden it away and tucked it out of sight.
'I am not good enough.'
Dissociation becomes the norm. The child feels that some part of him/her is not worth the trouble. Children feel crazy, more confused and they wonder if the abuse they experienced was 'really that bad.'
They start to look for a substance or an activity that will help to make them feel whole, albeit only fleetingly. Some turn to pornography.
Children with a trauma that went unacknowledged feel they are the cause of it all.
They crave love and emotional safety, but self-loathing dominates. Unconsciously, an outlet is sometimes found in the playing out of their erotic and sexual desires.
Pornography is a disease of distraction.
It keeps things constant for the addict, providing an outlet for his feelings and it keeps a partner from looking too closely within. The addict believes that something 'out there' will someday come and change things. One day he/she will do it right.
Internet use
The Internet has a never-ending supply of porno and is easily assessable. One survey found that 17% of the almost 10,000 users surveyed meet the criteria for sexually compulsive behavior.
An intensive drive to go to pornographic websites or look at porno all the time is harmful and addictive. It is even more of a problem if it hinders the completion of non-sex related tasks.
Conclusion
Pornography addiction is hard to hide. Like substance abuse disorders, lies are necessary to make sure that you are not found out.
Getting help starts with opening up. You can start with a family member or a friend, but for deeply rooted problems, the help of a trained healthcare or religious professional might be best. They are trained and many have support groups they can connect you with.
Largest Heart
Largest Heart’s mission is to spread hope, love and knowledge, one opportunity at a time. If you or a loved one suffer from pornography addiction there is help and there is hope. There are a lot of resources available and a simple Google search will help you zoom in on the organization that can help you or your loved one best.
There is no better day than today to act, take control and make a difference in your life or that of someone you love. We’re only here for a short time so don’t wait – today’s the present you’ve been waiting for!
Resources
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meaningful-you/201309/the-hidden-wisdom-porn-addiction
May 21, 2019
Introduction
Yes, it can be seen as dirty or shameful, but often an addiction to pornography helps the addict to relate to the other problems in his life.
Addiction to pornography is hard to acknowledge and even harder to stop. Only when a person comes to the crossroads of understanding the price of sustaining his behavior does the changing begin.
But, is pornography addiction?
There is a lot of controversy in the mental health field about it. If one looks at the definition of an addiction, pornography fits.
What is an addiction?
An addiction is a repetitive behavior that hinders a person’s emotional, but also psychological growth. It has a destructive impact on personal relationships and someone's work. Loneliness, depression and low self-esteem are the results.
Everybody does it
The porno industry is a ten-billion-dollar industry in the US. It might be easy just to brush the topic aside. Pornography can't be a real addiction, can it?
It can.
Porn – as a repetitive habit that cannot be stopped, provides an outlet for some people for their most primal feelings and desires.
Early relational trauma
Neglect and abuse
Many people who struggle with pornography have experienced early abuse in childhood. It could have been neglect, verbal- or emotional abuse or sexual abuse. It could be a combination of some of these factors. The damage was never acknowledged, and the child has hidden it away and tucked it out of sight.
'I am not good enough.'
Dissociation becomes the norm. The child feels that some part of him/her is not worth the trouble. Children feel crazy, more confused and they wonder if the abuse they experienced was 'really that bad.'
They start to look for a substance or an activity that will help to make them feel whole, albeit only fleetingly. Some turn to pornography.
Children with a trauma that went unacknowledged feel they are the cause of it all.
They crave love and emotional safety, but self-loathing dominates. Unconsciously, an outlet is sometimes found in the playing out of their erotic and sexual desires.
Pornography is a disease of distraction.
It keeps things constant for the addict, providing an outlet for his feelings and it keeps a partner from looking too closely within. The addict believes that something 'out there' will someday come and change things. One day he/she will do it right.
Internet use
The Internet has a never-ending supply of porno and is easily assessable. One survey found that 17% of the almost 10,000 users surveyed meet the criteria for sexually compulsive behavior.
An intensive drive to go to pornographic websites or look at porno all the time is harmful and addictive. It is even more of a problem if it hinders the completion of non-sex related tasks.
Conclusion
Pornography addiction is hard to hide. Like substance abuse disorders, lies are necessary to make sure that you are not found out.
Getting help starts with opening up. You can start with a family member or a friend, but for deeply rooted problems, the help of a trained healthcare or religious professional might be best. They are trained and many have support groups they can connect you with.
Largest Heart
Largest Heart’s mission is to spread hope, love and knowledge, one opportunity at a time. If you or a loved one suffer from pornography addiction there is help and there is hope. There are a lot of resources available and a simple Google search will help you zoom in on the organization that can help you or your loved one best.
There is no better day than today to act, take control and make a difference in your life or that of someone you love. We’re only here for a short time so don’t wait – today’s the present you’ve been waiting for!
Resources
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meaningful-you/201309/the-hidden-wisdom-porn-addiction