Porn Addiction - Treatment, Symptoms and Causes

Porn addiction is a controversial topic as most of the experts refrain from including it in clinical/official diagnosis. The study in the field of sexual compulsivity and pornographic addiction is relatively new and, therefore, scarce. All that are compulsions may or may not be addictions. Porn addiction is a type of behavioral addiction: a compulsion to pursue a non-drug activity (although similar to substance addiction) with an expectation of reward despite its negative consequences later on. The pathway to the reward is mapped in the brain reward/satisfaction makes you want it again and more. The chemical dopamine exists in our nerve cells to reminds us of the rewards, pleasures and the Pathways to it. It is responsible for all the cravings, the lust, compulsions, addictions, motivation, desire that we experience every day.

“Nothing wrong with a little dopamine exercise……..

A little bit more” is a typical dialog of the dopamine puddle in your brain to tuck the right thoughts out of sight. And who to blame, for the desire to feel good, with such stressful and non rewarding lifestyles our generation has stumbled to and refuse to get relief from. For example, the porn addict will associate the free time or relaxation or even happiness with the thoughts of porns he can and will watch and the feeling after the release, satisfaction which leads to reward circuit activation and dopamine release.

Addiction to porn can be blamed on to two major factors among the many-

• The tools at our disposal- internet which allows us the access to infinite amount of porn, anonymously. A recent study says around 33% of males aged between 16-34 years old are addicted to Internet porn and this figure is growing every day as high-speed Internet proliferates.
• The means- the lappies, smartphones, tablets, social media. As the times progressed, the digital age brought with it the technology making porn available at the touch of the fingertip anyplace, anytime.
• The other subtle causes are the ‘fantasies come true’ documentaries. The concepts which, once, were too brutal or savage to ask of one's partner were filmed and spread on the internet. The frame provided is not limited to 'role play” anymore; there are categories as 'non-consent” which, according to studies, further hikes up the excitement of the viewers.
• Most of the children are being exposed to porn at a tender age of 11, of course through the internet. The teenage addicts are the most important as their recovery is quite difficult one owing to their own self-image issues, peer pressure, hormonal imbalances, depression, anxiety in this age.

The circle of a person, his mind and body must be in a good shape. The coordination of thoughts and actions should be clear. Hiding addiction under the tag of 'I deserve a break” is not cool. Knowing the line and toeing it is important. The gut instinct yelling 'stop” should be heeded. Here are some of the symptoms which are most honest in detecting the problem.

• The obvious of the symptoms is the craving. The cravings for porn content is almost like drug cravings - Desire for more, aggression when not provided, dominant and emotionally disconnected behavior.
• The person tends to live a secret life. The other one, to entertain his sexual fantasies which tend to become more and more violent as the addiction progresses. This affects the relationship as the interest in the partner diminishes.
• More time spent watching porn or searching for more explicit content for simulation develops more tolerance. More time is needed to get you aroused or to climax. This is the most important criteria for diagnosing the addiction. The tolerance only increases with time.
• Continued use pornography despite serious consequences (e.g., loss of relationship or job, contraction of a sexually transmitted disease or 'STD”).
• Compulsive masturbating.
• Concentration problems

• CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: the therapy is based on a) identifying the negative b) breaking down the negative c) eradicating the negative It works on the principle that thoughts, feelings, and actions are all related. Action/event → benefits/thoughts → consequence/reaction
• Individual/group therapy: individual therapy helps you focus on your problem and drives you to self-analysis, making you reconsider your choices. It is approximately 30-60 mins. Group therapy can provide you with a community of like-minded individuals who are facing similar struggles.
• Motivational interviews (MI): a person’s motivation determines his success in recovery from the addiction. This is type of self-centered treatment, where the person’s preferences, values, and beliefs direct the course of the treatment. It explores the views of the person on their own addiction with them. They assist the person to mold their thoughts and beliefs in the best way.

• The addiction always starts as an innocent taste of the New. it slowly evolves and very slowly gains the control of mind and body. The trick is to know that NO CRAVINGS LAST FOREVER. It's not in human nature to glue himself to one emotion/desire indefinitely. It is, therefore, possible to break away and scatter one’s attention to other stuff. Thus preventing the step in this quicksand.
• Engaging yourself with hobbies and activities as gardening, books, guitar, etc are the most effective way of keeping out the negative thoughts. This will twist the mind in focusing on your positive, sunny side, eliminating the core of any addiction as such- self-image issues.

It refers to the brain resisting the sudden change in the pattern of things and the forced thinking of self-control against the addiction. The changes that occur are hyper-reactivity to the cravings and desires tending to push the person back on the Pathway.

• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Poor concentration
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Social isolation
• Headaches
• Severe loss of libido