Skip to Main Content
Pornography addiction is when a person can’t stop watching porn, even when they want to. The compulsive behaviors associated with pornography addiction interfere with a person’s work life, personal life, relationships, and everyday life.
Sometimes referred to as online porn addiction, problematic pornography use can develop into serious problems in a person’s life if they don’t get help.
Yes, porn addiction is a form of behavioral addiction, similar to gambling or gaming addiction.
People with porn addiction often experience a loss of control over their viewing habits, spending excessive time watching, and continuing to use porn despite negative consequences, such as relationship problems, emotional distress, or disruptions in daily life.
While not formally classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), many individuals seek help for compulsive porn use that makes it difficult for them to live a healthy life.
Porn is so addictive because it triggers dopamine release in the brain.
Dopamine plays a huge role in the brain’s “reward center,” causing a person to feel good, feel pleasure, and feel satisfaction. The dopamine release and feelings that a person experiences when they watch pornography can be similar to those created when a person uses drugs or alcohol.
A person can be considered addicted to porn when they can’t stop watching it, even if they want to, and when it interferes with their relationships, daily life, and health.
They may begin to feel unhappy with their sex life and watch porn in inappropriate places, such as at work or in public.
According to Neuropsychopharmacology, pornography consumption is prevalent, specifically for young adult males.
One study done in 2019 suggests that the prevalence of hypersexual disorders, which porn addiction may qualify as may range from 3% to 6%.
It’s hard to know exactly how many men are addicted to porn, but estimates suggest that about 5-8% of men may struggle with compulsive porn use.
The actual number could be higher, as many people feel too ashamed or embarrassed to admit they have a problem, leading to underreporting.
It’s important to note that not everyone who views porn is an addict.
Many people can watch it occasionally without it causing problems to their lives or relationships.
However, for men who struggle with porn addiction, they can feel a loss of control in their family life, careers, and romantic relationships.
Men in the United States are also more likely to avoid asking for help, whether from loved ones or professionals, because of the stigma around addressing mental health and addiction issues.
Many men believe their porn use is normal, even when it starts causing problems in their life, which makes them less likely to recognize it as an addiction. They may feel they should handle the issue on their own or worry that seeking help makes them seem weak.
Because of the private and sensitive nature of porn use, it’s challenging to get a complete picture of how widespread addiction porn addiction truly is.
Porn addiction may be caused by a variety of different factors.
Some of the possible causes of porn addiction can include:
When a person watches porn, it can trigger a release of dopamine in the brain. This release of dopamine causes the person to feel good and feel pleasure.
Over time, as a person continues to watch porn, the brain starts associating this action with pleasurable feelings. This association can then create the urge and make a person feel the need to watch it over and over again, even if they want to stop.
Some experts say that compulsive porn use can affect brain activity in a similar way to those who face challenges with drug or alcohol addiction.
Some of the more common mental health conditions that can co-occur with porn addiction can include:
Porn addiction can also co-occur with substance use disorders as well.
A person may use porn as a way to cope with the symptoms of mental health or substance use disorders.
Different factors may be the root cause of porn addiction.
If an individual is looking for help with porn addiction, identifying and addressing the underlying problem can help change the behaviors and actions they take as a result of them.
For some, the root cause of porn addiction may be an underlying mental health condition. For others, it could be trauma, unhealthy relationships, or a biological factor.
Unresolved trauma can put a person at a higher risk of developing an addiction, including porn addiction.
Trauma can also include exposure to pornography at a young age, which may cause a pornography addiction in the future. Other forms of trauma, such as abuse or childhood maltreatment, may also contribute to the development of a porn addiction.
Individuals with low self-esteem, underlying mental health conditions, or a history of trauma can be at a higher risk for porn addiction.
If you’re wondering whether you’re addicted to porn, ask yourself these key questions: Do you feel unable to stop watching it, even when you want to? Does it interfere with your daily life, relationships, or responsibilities? If so, you may be addicted to porn.
Another potential sign of addiction is when you need to watch more and more extreme content to feel the same level of satisfaction, or if watching porn leads to feelings of shame, guilt, or frustration.
It may also be affecting your relationships, such as creating emotional distance or sexual dissatisfaction with a partner. If any of these scenarios feel familiar, it might indicate that porn use has crossed the line from a habit into an addiction.
Some common signs of a porn addiction include:
For loved ones, porn addiction can show up as changes in communication, trust, and closeness.
You might notice your partner or friend spending more time alone or on their devices, avoiding important conversations or shared activities.
They may become secretive or defensive about their internet use, causing tension and distance in the relationship.
You could also feel hurt or confused, especially if the addiction affects your emotional or physical connection. Their mood might change suddenly when they can’t access porn.
Not everyone who watches porn has an addiction, but you can know if you have a porn addiction if you are unable to focus on anything else, neglect daily responsibilities, and need more frequent or extreme content to feel turned on.
Being sneaky about your use—hiding it from your partner or lying about the time you spend watching—can also be a red flag.
You might notice you’re consistently late to important events, losing sleep, or struggling to keep up with daily responsibilities because you can’t stop watching.
If you feel unable to relax or unwind without using porn, then it has likely transformed into an unhealthy way to cope with stress.
You may also feel deeply ashamed, paranoid, or guilty, especially if you have begun lying about watching or listening to porn.
This can throw you into a cycle of feeling stressed, calming yourself by watching porn, and then feeling more stressed because you hate yourself for turning to porn use.
Shame cycles around porn use are very common among those who have religious trauma or feel morally against porn, but still can’t seem to stop themselves from viewing it.
If you suspect you or a loved one may have a porn addiction and are unsure what to do, it is best to reach out to a professional such as your healthcare provider or a mental health professional, to get support.
Therapists can teach you practical ways to cope and set realistic goals for change.
They might use different methods like talking therapy or mindfulness to help you get back in control.
Therapy also will help you in rebuilding relationships and improving communication, which is essential for recovery.
Porn Addiction can be a small piece of an overall addiction to the internet. Take our quiz to see if you are struggling with something more.
Some of the common symptoms of porn addiction can include:
Some symptoms of porn addiction are visible to the people around them.
For example, someone might frequently excuse themselves to be alone, saying things like, “I just need some time to unwind,” but instead, they use this time to watch pornography over and over again.
Their day might revolve around planning their next viewing, causing them to decline social invitations or family events when they’re actually prioritizing their addiction.
As the addiction progresses, they might find themselves searching for more extreme or different types of content because the usual material no longer satisfies them.
When attempting to cut back or quit, they could snap at loved ones who are trying to interact with them.
This pattern can lead to significant neglect of responsibilities. They might miss deadlines or skip meetings, and when questioned, they might defensively respond, “I’ve got it covered, don’t worry,” even though they’re falling behind.
Relationship strains become apparent as they might avoid intimacy or react defensively to concerns about their behavior.
Despite facing negative consequences like job insecurity or relationship troubles, they might continue to dismiss the seriousness of their situation with thoughts like, “I can stop anytime I want—I just don’t want to right now.”
Porn addiction can cause:
You might hide your porn use from your partner, leading to trust issues. Emotional distance, arguments or even breakups may happen if your partner feels hurt, neglected, or that they can’t live up to the extreme standards in the porn industry.
You may feel guilty or ashamed because you can’t control your porn use. Your self-esteem could suffer as you compare yourself to unrealistic body standards in porn.
Watching porn might be your way of coping with stress, but it could make anxiety or depression worse. You may start feeling isolated or depressed because of your addiction.
You could develop erectile dysfunction, finding it harder to get aroused with a real-life partner. Your interest in sex with your partner may decrease because you rely on porn for arousal.
You might skip or neglect work, school, or family responsibilities to watch porn. Your productivity and focus can drop as you spend more time on porn. You might lose sleep or feel stressed from trying to hide your behavior.
Studies show a significant relationship between mental health and pornography use.
Individuals with a porn addiction may experience feelings of shame, guilt, frustration, or sadness that can contribute to mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.
Additionally, pornography use and addiction may cause imbalances or changes in the brain that can lead to the development of anxiety or other mental health conditions.
Some people may use pornography as a way to cope with the symptoms of depression, which only ends up worsening the case over time.
Research is looking at the relationship between porn and the development of depression.
No, porn addiction does not cause microcytic anemia. Porn addiction, while it can impact mental health, relationships, and daily functioning, does not have a direct effect on red blood cell size or iron levels.
Microcytic anemia is a condition where the red blood cells are smaller than normal, typically caused by iron deficiency, chronic diseases, or certain genetic conditions like thalassemia.
Anemia, especially microcytic anemia, can cause fatigue and low energy, making it harder to feel sexually aroused or engaged with a partner. In some cases, individuals may turn to porn for quick stimulation to help with arousal when feeling too exhausted.
Yes, pornography can sometimes make trauma victims worse, especially if their trauma is related to sexual abuse or other forms of exploitation.
Watching porn may trigger flashbacks, anxiety, or emotional distress, reinforcing feelings of shame or guilt.
For some trauma survivors, pornography might also become a coping mechanism, which can lead to further emotional harm by avoiding addressing the root causes of their trauma.
This can result in a cycle where porn use worsens their mental health, delaying healing and recovery.
It depends. Some experts think porn can help with erectile dysfunction (ED) by reducing anxiety and increasing arousal. But others warn that too much porn, especially more extreme or niche content, can make ED worse.
This happens because the brain may become conditioned to only respond to very specific types of stimulation, making it harder to get aroused with a real-life partner.
If your porn use involves lying or causes feelings of guilt, it can damage your relationship, adding stress and making ED even more likely.
Also, certain types of porn that objectify or demean people can make guilty feelings worse. When porn conflicts with your values or causes emotional discomfort, it may create mental barriers that make intimacy and arousal with a partner more difficult.
If someone finds they need increasingly niche content to feel turned on, or if they struggle with arousal during intimacy, their porn use could be a contributing factor.
Speaking with a healthcare professional can help determine if porn is linked to ED and offer ways to manage it.
Porn addiction can take a toll on a person’s physical and mental health, affect their life at work, impact their finances, impact the way they see themselves, and cause problems in relationships.
Individuals with a pornography addiction may experience intimacy issues as their porn use cause feelings of loneliness or unrealistic expectations. It can also make it hard to build healthy relationships for this reason.
Individuals with a porn addiction may also break the trust between them and their partners. Their partners may leave them or have a hard time building back trust in the relationship.
For a person’s physical health, porn addiction can lead to problems like sexual dysfunctions or sleep disturbances that can impact their everyday life and other responsibilities.
No, porn addiction by itself doesn’t directly cause death.
However, the problems that come with it can seriously affect your life. For example, it can lead to severe mental health issues like depression or anxiety, which might cause some people to turn to harmful behaviors, like substance abuse or self-harm.
If someone is struggling with both porn addiction and these other issues, it can become dangerous.
There are various ways a person can break and recover from a porn addiction.
Recognizing and acknowledging that there is a problem is a great first step in overcoming it.
It can be helpful to write down or simply understand why you should and want to give it up and then consider a plan that works for you.
Reaching out for professional help is essential in helping a person address what is truly going on that may be contributing to the porn addiction.
Certain things like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or joining support groups can help a person work through their underlying challenges and build a support system to help them heal and build new habits and lifestyles.
One thing a person can do is get rid of all the pornography they have. People can also install filters on their computers, phones, or tablets, blocking pornographic content.
Additionally, practicing healthy habits in place of porn use can help a person build an everyday life that is free of the urge to turn to pornography as a way to cope or “escape.”
Considering different treatment options and developing a treatment plan with a professional can help you find what works for you on your path to recovery.
To avoid porn addiction, it’s important to set clear boundaries around your use and stay mindful of how it affects you.
Be aware of how often you’re watching and whether you’re using it to cope with stress, boredom, or loneliness.
If you notice these patterns, it might be time to reassess your habits and focus on healthier ways to manage emotions, such as engaging in activities that bring fulfillment like exercise, hobbies, or spending time with others.
Building a balanced lifestyle that includes meaningful connections and rewarding activities can help prevent porn use from becoming a dependency.
Porn addiction can impact every aspect of a person’s life. Over time, it can cause serious problems in a person’s health, well-being, and relationships.
These problems can impact a person’s quality of life and their everyday routine.
However, it is important to know that if you think you have a porn addiction, don’t be scared or ashamed to reach out for help. There are many people who have shared similar challenges and have overcome them.
Recovery from porn addiction is completely possible.
It is also important to know that recovery from porn addiction requires effort and commitment, so it is important to find what works for you and to build a strong support system that helps you heal and holds you accountable.
To quit porn addiction, you can:
Recovery from porn addiction is unique to each person.
Some may need weeks; others may take months or years to fully recover from porn addiction.
Withdrawal symptoms may occur when a person addicted to porn tries to stop but can’t.
Common withdrawal symptoms associated with porn addiction can include:
If you think that a loved one may have a porn addiction, it can feel like a difficult or uncomfortable subject to talk about.
Sometimes, a person may not see that there is a problem or be in denial about it. Having a calm and open conversation about it may help.
However, it is also important to remember that a person will not get help if they don’t want it. Letting them know you are there for them when they are ready to talk or helping them connect with professional resources can go a long way.
If you are planning to have a conversation about porn addiction, it is important to plan what you want to say, stay calm, be patient, and listen to what they are saying. It is also important to set boundaries and be clear with what you say to try to avoid miscommunication.
It can also be helpful to remember that you are not there to fix them but can simply be there for them and work with them.
Not everyone who watches porn is addicted to it.
However, if you have tried to stop and feel like you can’t or are facing problems in your life due to pornography use, it could be time to reach out to your healthcare provider or a mental health professional who can help you.
Psychotherapy is the most common treatment for individuals with a porn addiction.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common and effective form of psychotherapy that can help a person identify negative thoughts and behavior patterns, as well as identify triggers that can help a person change and restructure them.
If a person’s porn addiction is stemming from relationship problems, it may also be helpful to see a relationship counselor or therapist.
The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) is a professional organization that is comprised of sexuality educators, sexuality counselors, and sex therapists.
Additionally, many people find it helpful to join support groups where they can meet other people who may share similar experiences and learn from each other.
Porn addiction can cause a person to isolate themselves, and joining a support group can help them build meaningful connections and a strong support network.
You can search “porn addiction counseling near me” or reach out to your healthcare provider to help you find resources to connect you to help.
The Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a behavioral health treatment locator that serves as a confidential and anonymous resource for individuals looking for help with mental health and substance use disorders.
A porn addiction is when a person cannot stop porn use, despite the negative consequences it has on their life and wellness. Sandstone Care is here to support teens and young adults with mental health and substance use disorders.
Related Posts
