If you struggle with an addiction to pornography, it can be easy to lose control of your daily activities, as well as your relationships with family and friends. The good news is that you don’t have to live this way; there are steps you can take to help get control of your addiction and begin living a healthier, happier life.
The first step in controlling porn addiction is to understand the consequences of your addictive behavior, as well as the specific behaviors you need to change.
What is porn addiction?
When you’re watching porn, are you able to stop when you want to? If you can’t control your porn-watching habits and feel a strong desire or compulsion to watch porn on a regular basis, then there’s a good chance that you have developed an addiction.
Approximately two out of every three individuals who regularly watch porn become addicted – so if your porn-watching is causing emotional distress, interfering with your daily life, or leaving you feeling guilty about watching, it may be time for action. If so, here are some suggestions for controlling your addiction.
Does it exist?
I’m sure you’ve heard of sex addiction. It’s a term that gets thrown around a lot and depending on who you ask, it might seem like an excuse for being unfaithful or just another way of saying your sex life needs a little spice.
Before you can control your porn addiction (if indeed it is one), it helps to know if it even exists. The good news is that there are plenty of people out there who will tell you yes, porn addiction is real, and when talking about what constitutes someone being addicted to porn they have more than enough clinical terms and criteria available.
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What are its negative effects of it?
While many people see pornography as a harmless activity, it actually has many negative effects on one’s life. For example, porn can make one develop unrealistic expectations about sex, making them less satisfied with their partner’s normal sexual behavior.
It can also cause a person to become aroused more quickly and at lower levels of physical contact than they normally would. And lastly, pornography use can lead to significant erectile dysfunction in men under 40.
While these side effects are often overlooked or ignored in favor of trying just a little harder and more frequently, they can cause long-term damage to relationships and sexual function if left untreated. By following some simple steps you can begin to control your porn addiction today
Symptoms of Porn Addiction
Although porn addiction does not have clinical diagnostic criteria, as substance use disorders do, porn addiction symptoms and behaviors are similar across users. Symptoms include: Compulsive use of porn (checking it multiple times per day) or a feeling that you can’t control how much you’re using it.
You may feel like you need to hide your online activity from others or feel guilty about what you watch. You might spend a lot of time thinking about porn, engaging in sexual fantasies, or planning when and where you will view porn next.
You may find yourself making excuses to go home early from work or missing social events because of your preoccupation with watching pornography.
Are Pornography Beneficial for Adult
Do you often watch pornography? Whether it is considered a good or bad thing, research has shown that pornography can sometimes have negative effects on adult relationships.
For example, in a study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior in 2014, researchers found that pornography use was linked with greater risk for infidelity among men and women. If you are concerned about your use of pornography, there are many helpful tips out there for how to control porn addiction. Here are some things you can do
How do I know if I’m addicted?
A good first step is to look at your usage habits. Do you feel guilty, ashamed or depressed after viewing porn? Does it take over your thoughts? Do you try and hide it from loved ones? If so, you might be suffering from an addiction.
It’s worth seeking help for your compulsion, if only for your own sake. You can start by talking with a trusted friend or family member—or even a professional counselor—about what’s happening in your life and how you’re feeling.
If you are concerned that Internet pornography use may be negatively impacting other areas of your life, please seek professional help immediately. You deserve happiness and success, free from addiction!
Is it treatable?
Even though it’s not officially classified as an addiction, porn can easily become one. Research has suggested that about half of all people who watch internet porn find themselves struggling with pornography addiction at some point in their lives.
The good news is that scientists are learning more about what causes these addictions and how they can be treated and controlled. If you or someone you know is fighting a pornography addiction, there are resources available to help curb cravings and deal with emotional issues associated with watching pornography.
Seek professional help if needed and remember: You don’t have to resign yourself to becoming a slave to internet porn just because you’ve tried it a few times—you can control your addiction!
What are my options?
We know, now, that porn addiction is just as serious as a drug or alcohol addiction. With so many different types of porn out there it can be hard to step away from it all; but if you’re serious about conquering your addiction, there are plenty of resources available for those looking for help.
Whether you’re looking for more information on how to control porn addiction or want a way to get involved in fighting against it (or both!), check out these websites and organizations
Strategies for managing your pornography habit.
- People struggling with porn addiction typically have a hard time quitting on their own. So it’s important to develop strategies for managing your pornography habit before you need them. The following six strategies may help you maintain self-control and resist temptation:
- 1) Make a rule about when and where you will watch porn, so that it doesn’t get in the way of work or other activities.
- 2) Build an accountability system into your routine, such as telling your spouse or friends what you are doing when they won’t be home.
- 3) Talk with someone who has struggled with pornography and can offer support during difficult times.
- 4) Limit access to sexual materials like magazines or videos at home, so that if temptation strikes, it is less likely to result in relapse.
Conclusion
Now you know how to control porn addiction. Be sure to integrate these strategies and tips into your life on a daily basis. Continually remind yourself of why you’re working so hard and make sure that you keep your end goal in mind whenever temptation strikes.
Know that it will get easier as time goes on, but remember that porn is more than just a pleasure-seeking habit; it’s an escape from reality. Avoid escapism at all costs and remember: no matter how bad things are right now, they can only get better with time!
