Signs of porn addiction problems
If you suspect your spouse is struggling with Porn Addiction problems, you’re probably right. While there are differing definitions of how much porn is too much, most experts agree that if it interferes with your daily routine, it’s too much. For instance;
- Your sex life becomes unfulfilling.
- You stop doing the things you really enjoy.
- Relationships suffer as you are less interested in socializing.
- Your job or schoolwork is affected because of masturbating, looking at porn, or watching it at inappropriate times, like at work or in class.
- The obsession with porn takes over your life.
- Your health or personal hygiene is neglected.
- You can’t stop watching porn, even if you don’t enjoy it as much as you did when you started.
- As hard as you try, you can’t resist watching porn.
- You crave watching porn more and more.
- You feel ashamed after visiting porn sites, but you still continue to watch.
- To get the same effect, you have to watch more extreme sexual content.
- You keep it a secret, you feel ashamed.
- You feel angry and defensive when you’re told to stop watching.
Porn addiction Withdrawal
Pornography addiction (porn addiction) and sex addiction are called “process addictions” because it’s not a drug or other substance addiction.
Common withdrawals from pornography can look like:
- Depression, irritability, and mood swings
- Loss of libido
- Insomnia or trouble sleeping
- Feeling intensely lonely and disconnected
- Isolating
- Cross addicting to other compulsive behaviors, such as overeating, using alcohol or drugs
Treatment for Porn addiction
Studies of porn addiction problems aren’t as vast as substance use disorders. People don’t often discuss their porn addiction problems, which makes it hard to identify when they cross the line from ‘casual use’ to ‘addiction’.
Addiction to pornography is becoming a real problem that many people do not take seriously. Because pornography addiction is not as obviously dangerous as addiction to drugs or alcohol, many people allow the problem to fly under the radar.
The internet provides many pornography sites, (there are even WhatsApp groups for porn and sex addicts), it’s difficult to abstain and recover from sex and porn addiction problems without getting professional help. There are very good rehabs in South Africa that have evidence-based sex and porn addiction programs.
There are 12 step fellowships all over the world, which hold support meetings (online and in-person) for people called Sex and Love Addiction Anonymous (SLAA)
Get help with porn addiction problems
As with any other addiction, there is help for you and your spouse available here. There are porn blocking apps and other ways to maintain a healthy mindset
Please reach out to us and please, don’t be shy. The sooner you address the problem, the better. It’s a common problem, and there is always a solution for couples and families.
Colleen
