Porn addiction: study on the pathological use of pornographic material

By Cristiano Antonino On May 24, 2023

A recent study by Cody Harper and David C. Hodgins, published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions , shows that the pathological use of pornographic material (porn addiction) is associated with impaired social functioning (higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower satisfaction with quality of life and social relationships) as well as with problematic use of alcohol and cannabis, gambling and compulsive use of video games

According to the authors, those most at risk for developing a porn addiction are men, although women are not exempt.

Porn addiction is a common form of sexual addiction that presents the following symptoms

Progressive increase in the amount of time spent using pornographic material;
Seeking progressively more intense or bizarre content;
Unsuccessful attempts to stop or decrease the addictive behaviour;
Use of pornographic material despite the occurrence of negative consequences: difficulty or impossibility of creating and maintaining social or emotional relationships; feelings of depression, shame and isolation; loss or impoverishment of relationships with family members or partners; loss of interest in other activities (work, school, social life, family, sport…); performance problems at work or study; financial problems; associated use of drugs; sexual dysfunctions…;
Attempts to conceal, deny, hide the addiction.

The person with porn addiction, contrary to popular belief, uses pornographic material for purposes other than achieving orgasm: porn addicts are much more interested in sustaining and feeding their sexual fantasies.

The orgasm represents, in this form of addiction, the end of pleasure and the return to real life, whereas the aim of the porn addict is rather to stay in the neurochemical trance induced by pornographic material for as long as possible.

Porn addiction, in addition to the listed symptoms, can be connected to certain sexual dysfunctions or relational and relationship discomfort, because the porn addict experiences increasing difficulty in experiencing in reality the same amount of arousal and stimulation that pornographic material offers him/her.

It is therefore possible that the porn-addicted person

Easily achieves arousal or orgasm by enjoying pornographic material, but finds it more difficult with a real partner;
He/she can reach arousal and orgasm with a partner but takes longer than he/she or his/her partner would like;
The partner may complain of lack of interest or not complete involvement on the part of the porn addict during sex;
He/she can reach orgasm but only by replaying pornographic images in his/her mind;
You find pornography more stimulating and interesting than sex.

Pornography, when used pathologically, can become very problematic, just like any other substance of abuse.

It therefore requires specialised psychotherapeutic intervention for its treatment.

Porn addicts may be reluctant to ask for help and may find it difficult to relate their relational or sexual problems to the abuse of pornographic material

It may also be the case that shame about porn addiction leads the porn addict to isolate themselves and hide their behaviour.

It is very important that physicians, psychologists, psychotherapists, and health professionals ask specific questions with respect to the consultation of pornographic material in the face of sexual or relationship problems, and in general learn to keep the possible presence of such an addiction in mind during assessment and treatment, in order to avoid ineffective if not harmful interventions.

Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy has a proven effectiveness in the treatment of addiction.

The therapeutic approach is based on psycho-education, specific skill training (social skills, conflict resolution, resumption of recreational activities, active listening, assertive training, emotional regulation, etc.) and relapse prevention.

Some approaches combine cognitive-behavioural techniques with Mindfulness to implement treatment effectiveness.

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