You’re Not Broken - Overcoming Pornography Addiction

You’re not broken and you’re not alone. In fact, many people across the world struggle with pornography addiction. It doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with you. It’s just that you’re using pornography to experience feelings of pleasure and relaxation. And these feelings are something we naturally crave.

If you’ve started to feel negative emotions after watching explicit content, or if this addiction is starting to impact your daily life, then it’s time to seek professional help. You’re on the right path by reading this article, and you will soon find the support you need.

Why Some People Develop A Pornography Addiction

Understanding why people develop an addiction to adult material can often help people let go of those feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-esteem.

The truth is, you’re addicted to something that makes you feel gratification. There are lots of reasons why addictions begin. In the case of drugs, alcohol, and nicotine, these substances affect the way you feel, both physically and mentally. These feelings can be enjoyable and create a powerful urge to use the substances again.¹

If we consider alcohol abuse, drinking in excess can often alter someone’s mental and physical state and help them to bury feelings, ignore painful memories, and, for a short time, feel excited, uplifted, light-hearted, and free of responsibilities.

Now consider adult material. Having a lot of sex or masturbating whilst watching pornography means that the body releases chemicals like:

• Oxytocin
• Dopamine
• Serotonin

These chemicals give you instant feelings of pleasure, contentment, and relaxation. So if you’re stressed out, anxious, or dealing with a difficult time in your life, the risk of becoming addicted to pornography will be at an all-time high.

In the UK, more people are becoming exposed to explicit adult material at a younger age, making pornography addiction a growing risk amongst young people too. A survey of British schoolchildren’s attitudes to pornography found that a significant number of teenagers between 14 and 18 watch pornography frequently, with some becoming addicted. ²

You might ask:

Why am I watching more and more explicit material? Is there something wrong with me?

No. As humans, we experience desensitization when exposed to regular experiences. For example, teenagers playing violent video games no longer have the same reaction to minor violence as they would have previously.

A 2015 pornography study found that people have a lower responsiveness to pornography and other sexual stimuli due to desensitization, which leads them to seek out more graphic content to experience the same sense of pleasure.

A Pornography Addiction Doesn’t Define You

Addiction can be a challenge, but it is not impossible to overcome. Learning how to stop watching pornography comes down to understanding that it’s only a means to an end.

You’re not doing this because you’re dirty in some way, but because you’re mentally in need of the feelings of gratification and relaxation that dopamine provides. You’ve made a connection with these desirable feelings and pornography. The same way any addiction begins.

Once you’ve identified the connection, you can reconnect your need with a more beneficial activity. For example, you’re stressed out and can’t stop thinking about watching pornography. It’s time to take up a new hobby that triggers dopamine.

Consider these:

• An adrenaline rush, such as riding a bike downhill
• Open water swimming
• Morning ice baths
• Creative hobbies

These types of activities can stimulate your nervous system and break the connection between a dopamine hit and watching porn.

Still feeling tempted?

Try these practical steps:

• Delete any apps that allow access to explicit material.
• Use a family-friendly browser
• Use filters

Small Steps Towards Success

By reading this article, you’ve already demonstrated to yourself that you’re on the road to recovery. And that’s something to seriously be proud of. While it’s not going to be smooth sailing, small wins throughout the week will turn into new behaviour. Over time, with commitment and dedication, you will take back control and overcome pornography addiction. We truly believe in you!