Pornography addiction is not an official diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5).
Using pornography may also activate the dopamine system, potentially leading to addiction. If you watch porn when bored or exhausted, consider changing your habits. You’ll be less likely to watch porn when it’s not at your fingertips.
They can come up with an individualized treatment plan to help you work through them. On the other hand, addictions are about lack of control — and that can cause significant problems. Other researchers suggest it may be more of a compulsion than an addiction. Since then, it’s become much easier to access porn via the internet and streaming services.
How to deal with a porn addiction
You may also want to consider speaking with a doctor if you are experiencing pornography “addiction.” A doctor can help develop a treatment plan and advise you on what to do next. When relationship issues arise, actively working on them together can make all the difference. A relationship counselor can help you and your partner work through problems and strengthen your bond. According to a 2019 study, for instance, approximately 11% of men and 3% of women self-reported having a porn addiction. Other scientists point out that studies so far have either been poorly organized or have struggled with defining what exactly would make this an actual addiction. Plus, some say it’s difficult to get a handle on how widespread the problem is, in part, because few users think the habit is a problem.
A Kinsey Institute survey found that 9 percent of people who view porn have unsuccessfully tried to stop. Porn addiction remains a controversial issue, with some research suggesting that it is not a real condition at all. This video has been medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE. Lifehacker has been a go-to source of tech help and life advice since 2005. Our mission is to offer reliable tech help and credible, practical, science-based life advice to help you live better. If reading this has you concerned about your porn use, here are some tips to help you on your path to recovery.
Since so many questions remain regarding the reasons behind hypersexual behavior and pornography use, there are very few studies looking at potential treatment options. There’s still controversy over whether excessive pornography use is an actual behavioral addiction — like gambling or shopping — or perhaps something else. A 2013 UK study of 226 men found that frequent pornography use may be closer to a compulsion than an addiction.
Causes of pornography addiction
With the right treatment, you can achieve lasting recovery from porn addiction. Porn addiction is not an official diagnosis, but there are various ways compulsive pornography viewing can become a problem. Overcoming porn addiction is a gradual process, and slip-ups and relapses may occur.
- Brain chemistry imbalance can occur because porn often raises serotonin and norepinephrine levels.
- The rise of the Internet has triggered and exacerbated various types of addictive behaviors from gaming to gambling to shopping.
- And the obsession gets to the point that it interferes with work, relationships, and other parts of daily life.
- Since then, it’s become much easier to access porn via the internet and streaming services.
- If you watch porn when bored or exhausted, consider changing your habits.
But porn addiction isn’t recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Research comparing the brains of people who compulsively view porn to the brains of people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol has produced mixed results. One 2015 review article concluded that internet pornography shares basic mechanisms with substance addiction. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a publication of the American Psychiatric Association, is used by healthcare professionals to help diagnosis mental disorders. If you struggle with pornography, know you’re not alone, as this behavior is very common.
Support groups
The causes of porn “addiction” vary, and the treatment plans do too. You can get help and overcome the issues, regaining control of your life. If you are experiencing issues managing your pornography viewing, there are treatment methods available to help you manage your symptoms. Brain chemistry alcohol and the brain imbalance can occur because porn often raises serotonin and norepinephrine levels. These hormones control your moods, and high levels can lead to compulsive sexual behavior. Whether it’s an addiction or not, those who use pornography regularly have intense urges or cravings for sex.
Many people with porn “addiction” find it difficult to become aroused by real-life partners, even when they find their partner sexually attractive. Although there is disagreement about the causes of pornography brain changes associated with long-term ketamine abuse a systematic review pmc addiction, treatment usually involves addressing an underlying issue, which could relate to mental health. A 2014 study emphasizes that many studies of pornography addiction have been poorly designed or biased.
What is addiction?
It is important to note that some people who claim that pornography is addictive may oppose its existence altogether or have very rigid ideas about healthy sexuality. For example, they may believe that a monogamous heterosexual relationship is the only appropriate sexual outlet. The diagnosis of pornography addiction is controversial, and not all therapists will acknowledge it. Moreover, researchers have presented various different models of the signs. The researchers argued that the same response occurs when a person who uses drugs views drug-related images.
Some experts believe there’s a link between heavy use of porn and dissatisfaction with relationships. But if you’ve tried to stop and can’t, consider contacting a mental health professional experienced in treating compulsions, addictions, and sexual dysfunction. Treatment for behavioral addictions generally involves talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. But your doctor may recommend medication if you have co-existing conditions, such as depression or OCD. While it may be uncomfortable exposing truths about your behaviors and thoughts, you need to confront these realities to ensure you get the treatment you need.
Addiction affects other aspects of the brain as well, steadily changing it, and making it increasingly difficult for the person to avoid the addictive substance or behavior. Dismissing compulsive porn viewing as “less of a problem” compared to other kinds of addiction can affect your recovery. Problematic pornography usage often entails the alcohol-depression connection not being able to limit your pornography viewing. You might use porn to escape distress or other mental health conditions. Experiencing negative thoughts and low self-esteem can make you want to find satisfaction and comfort, which porn can provide. Neither does the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists.
The APA proposed that it be added as a subcategory of hypersexual disorder. However, the scientific board eventually concluded that there was not enough evidence to support the diagnosis. Some people seeking treatment for pornography addiction may instead benefit from addressing other issues, such as relationship problems, sexual shame, or depression. Therefore, if a person opts for therapy, it is important to choose a therapist who understands and can manage these issues. The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) suggests that there is not enough evidence to support classifying porn or sex addiction as a mental health disorder. Instead, they suggest that characterizing porn as problematic is linked to harmful views about sexuality.
It’s difficult to “specialize” in a disorder that lacks a professionally agreed upon definition or uniformly outlined diagnostic criteria. When the DSM-5 was being drafted, experts considered adding a diagnosis called “hypersexual disorder,” which would have included pornography as a subtype. But the final decision was to leave it out, based on the fact that there wasn’t enough scientific literature to substantiate it.
Proponents suggest that it can help people improve their sex lives and provide a safe outlet for desires. Opponents believe it damage relationships, contributes to sexual aggression, and creates unhealthy or destructive behaviors. When you misuse drugs or alcohol, you may turn to other similar coping mechanisms, like porn. This can lead to watching porn excessively and prioritizing it over other things in your life. Although porn addiction is not an official diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth addition text revision (DSM-5-TR), many people self-report pornography viewing as an issue in their lives. Be wary of therapists who claim to “specialize” in diagnosis and treatment of pornography.
