Porn addiction is not an official diagnosis, but there are various ways compulsive pornography viewing can become a problem. Here are some risk factors to look out for.

Although porn addiction is not an official diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth addition text revision (DSM-5-TR), many people self-report pornography viewing as an issue in their lives.

According to a 2019 study, for instance, approximately 11% of men and 3% of women self-reported having a porn addiction.

While watching porn isn’t always an issue, it can lead to addiction-like behaviors for some people. If you find that you cannot manage your pornography viewing and this behavior is hindering your ability to lead a fulfilling life, you may want to seek professional help.

Additionally, learning about porn “addiction” and its causes and symptoms can help you address and overcome it.

One of the reasons porn “addiction” is so common is because it’s easy to access. It’s free and requires less effort than interacting with your partner. Some people eventually prefer watching porn to the real thing.

Research shows that one popular porn site receives 115 million views each day. This number of views shows that many people are tapping into the resource. It’s only a few clicks of the phone or computer away, and the urge is satisfied.

The cause of porn “addiction” can help you treat the underlying issues. These causes include:

Since excessive pornography viewing can lead a person to prefer porn over intimacy with their partner, porn “addiction” can cause problems in relationships and lead to tension. Watching pornography also helps put relationship issues out of mind, leading to a potentially toxic cycle.

Escaping psychological distress

You might use porn to escape distress or other mental health conditions. Experiencing negative thoughts and low self-esteem can make you want to find satisfaction and comfort, which porn can provide. Watching porn can allow you to dissociate and experience pleasure.

Sometimes relationship problems or other life issues can cause psychological distress. Porn may help ease negativity and make you feel better about your life for a little while.

An outlet

As an outlet for sexual dissatisfaction, you can become dependent on porn. You’ll use it to ease the discontent rather than find real-life ways to fix the issue.

Unrealistic views

Watching porn can cause unrealistic views of sex. When it becomes too much, you may not enjoy sex as much. You may then crave the false scenes in porn, turning to them repeatedly.

Brain chemistry imbalance

Brain chemistry imbalance can occur because porn often raises serotonin and norepinephrine levels. These hormones control your moods, and high levels can lead to compulsive sexual behavior.

When addiction occurs, it can change your brain pathway. The circuits in your brain interfere with your ability to resist the urge to watch porn. You’ll start needing to view more porn to receive the same levels of enjoyment as before.

Drug or alcohol abuse

Porn “addiction” often occurs with a substance use disorder (SUD). When you misuse drugs or alcohol, you may turn to other similar coping mechanisms, like porn. This can lead to watching porn excessively and prioritizing it over other things in your life.

History of abuse

Trauma is linked to addiction because abuse causes feelings of unworthiness. You might use porn to block or numb your feelings when you feel bad about yourself.

Problematic pornography usage often entails not being able to limit your pornography viewing. You might want to stop, knowing it interferes with your life. But you still do it even when you don’t want to.

There are some symptoms of problematic porn usage that you can watch for. These indications include:

  • compulsive porn watching
  • watching porn at work or in other risk situations
  • ignoring responsibilities to view porn
  • viewing more extreme porn for the same level of satisfaction as you once experienced
  • continuing to watch porn after experiencing feelings of frustration or shame over it
  • wanting to stop watching porn but not being able to
  • spending money on porn, specifically, if it affects your daily life or family necessities
  • using porn to cope
  • making porn a central part of your day
  • neglecting personal care
  • losing interest in other activities
  • becoming less interested in social interaction
  • decreased satisfaction during sex
  • relationship issues
  • feeling less satisfied with your partner

If you are experiencing issues managing your pornography viewing, there are treatment methods available to help you manage your symptoms.

Addressing underlying issues with porn

Porn “addiction” usually stems from underlying issues. Identifying and addressing these issues can make all the difference in your life. This treatment requires looking into:

Relationship counseling

When relationship issues arise, actively working on them together can make all the difference. A relationship counselor can help you and your partner work through problems and strengthen your bond. It can help you both talk about your values and deepen your trust.

Lifestyle changes

If you watch porn when bored or exhausted, consider changing your habits. Spend less time on your phone and other electronics. You’ll be less likely to watch porn when it’s not at your fingertips.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can help you understand your issues with pornography. It helps you identify unmet sexual needs and can help you deal with psychological distress. You’ll see a therapist that can help you overcome the issues and recognize the underlying causes.

A therapist may use a range of different counseling methods. Some of the most common methods include:

Visit a doctor

You may also want to consider speaking with a doctor if you are experiencing pornography “addiction.” A doctor can help develop a treatment plan and advise you on what to do next.

It may also be helpful to speak with a sex therapist to discuss your symptoms and determine a treatment plan. A sex therapist may be best for advising you on sexual health and empowerment.

Support groups

Pornography “addiction” is not uncommon. You can join a support group and talk with others who are overcoming the same issues.

The causes of porn “addiction” vary, and the treatment plans do too. You can get help and overcome the issues, regaining control of your life.

Excessively viewing porn can lead to problems, even when you try to avoid them. Make sure you’re honest with yourself and address an issue if you think you have one. It’ll help you regain control of your life and feel more able to focus on the essential aspects.

You can visit the AASECT website for a list of sex therapists and counselors. They will help you find a sex-positive therapist who uses research-based treatment methods. You don’t have to live with guilt, shame, or other negative feelings related to porn addiction.