Pornography addiction is an increasing problem, one that is receiving growing attention in the media. It is an issue that is bringing more and more people to our therapy clinics here in the UK.
The Internet places pornography at the tip of our fingers. With the click of a mouse anyone can access all manner of porn.
What happens when looking at online pornography gets out of control? At what point does it become an addiction? How can someone struggling with a pornography addiction get the help they need?
Pornography addiction is not yet recognized by the American Psychological Association as a mental disorder (as many other addictions are), but this does not mean that the problem doesn't exist.
The criteria for identifying pornography addiction is very similar to other addictions. Does reading, watching, thinking about, and/or viewing pornography interfere with a person's work, personal life, relationships, social interactions or family life? If this question is answered in the affirmative, then the person may well have a pornography addiction.
What are some of the main things that make porn addiction a greater problem than in the past?
Accessibility
It's easier than ever before to view pornography. Before the advent of Internet porn, a person had to actually enter an adult video store, or buy an adult magazine in a shop. Now, with a quick Internet search, anyone can have practically instant access to almost unlimited, free porn in the privacy of their own home.
Early Exposure
A recent study reported that 42% of children have been exposed to pornography on the Internet before the age of 18. In times passed, access to porn was more difficult, but with the advent of the Internet, children have a far greater probability of being exposed to it from an early age.
Tolerance
Some experts believe that tolerance to pornography is built up in a similar manner to alcohol and other substances. The more porn the addict consumes, the more they require in order to get the same degree of satisfaction. The Internet offers an unlimited supply of content with around 420 million different pornography websites available.
How can someone struggling with a pornography addiction get the help they need?
As pornography addiction becomes more common and receives more attention, our understanding of it grows. As our understanding improves, so does our ability to successfully treat this issue.
The first step to recovery lies in ending the denial and recognizing that there is a problem and that the person is addicted. This accomplished, there are numerous effective ways to treat porn addiction.
There are a number of 12-Step programs, both on and offline that offer help with this addiction. Sex Addicts Anonymous and Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous are two of the most popular. A person can also seek individual therapy and counseling, and hypnotherapy can be of enormous help in managing this addiction. Working with a professional who has experience in this area, the addict can learn to control their addiction and return to a freer way of life.
If you are experiencing an addiction to pornography, or know someone who might be, any of these therapeutic options can be helpful in conquering it.
----------------------------------------------------
Peter Field is a U.K. based counselor and a hypnotherapist with clinics in London and Birmingham. He is Fellow of the Royal Society of Health, Member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, and Member of the National Guild of Hypnotists. For 1-2-1 sessions please visit http://www.peterfieldhypnotherapy.co.uk Peter's self hypnosis recordings are now available at: http://www.hypnosiscdmp3downloads.com
No comments:
Post a Comment