Pornography Addiction

Pornography addiction is a common form of sexual addiction characterized by a preoccupation with sexualized imagery. There is some debate over whether or not pornography addiction is a legitimate illness. Like other forms of addiction, pornography addiction can have serious effects on a person’s life. The American Society of Addiction Medicine accepts behavioral addictions such as addiction to pornography as a real and treatable condition.

I’ve always had the sense that watching porn wasn’t the healthiest thing to do, and I’ve recently felt convicted that this is something that I need to address in my life.

At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we believe that addiction can take many forms, including pornography addiction. If you struggle with pornography, Christian counseling for pornography addiction might offer the solutions you need.

There are many misconceptions about pornography addiction. You will see on our service page for Christian counseling for sexual addiction, addicts of all forms fight an inner battle that is usually not directly tied to the act. For those with pornography addiction, use of pornography is rarely about sexual enjoyment. Rather, it is a means of coping with an underlying torment such as issues related to past trauma or abuse, depression, anxiety, and many other matters which make a person feel overwhelmed or out of control. Instead of looking down on people with pornography addiction, it’s important to understand that the addiction is a manifestation of a deep need to either numb intense pain or to at least control what one is feeling for a time. Christian counseling for pornography addiction takes a holistic approach towards beating your addiction by addressing the hidden hurt within.

I watched porn like other people watch their favorite T.V. shows. It was part of my daily routine — a way to escape from reality.

The Stages of Porn Addiction

How does someone become a porn addict? There are many reasons people become addicted to pornography. Through Christian counseling for pornography, you will gain a better understanding of your unique experience with pornography addiction. Typically, those who struggle with pornography addiction experience the following stages:

• Early Exposure – It’s very common for those with porn addiction to have been exposed to pornographic materials at a young age. In a time where sexual content is readily available on television and on the Internet, one might expect an increase in children and adolescents who are being exposed to pornography at a young age.

I started watching pornography very young. It started with dirty magazines. I became fascinated by it even though I didn’t fully understand what I was seeing.

• Addiction – Addiction happens when viewing pornography becomes more frequent, having an impact on the pleasure centers of the brain. This causes an increased need for the behavior.

What started as an occasional vice became a ritual. I became compelled to watch porn more and more, even though I felt it was wrong.

• Escalation – As a person continues in pornography addiction, use often increases. Porn addicts also tend to expand the kinds of porn they view towards things they would have found unethical in the earlier stages of their addiction.

I couldn’t get enough. I started experimenting with other genres of pornography when older things became boring.

• Desensitization – Frequent use of pornography has a physical effect on the mind and body, often resulting in an increase in the frequency and the vulgarity of the pornographic materials viewed in order to feel excitement.

I started to feel numb. Things that used to excite me had no effect, but I still couldn’t stop. Sometimes I’d lose hours of time in a pornography trance.

• Action – If not addressed, pornography addiction can escalate from fantasy to reality. You might find yourself pressuring your partner to participate in sexual acts they are uncomfortable with, or you might struggle with issues of infidelity both in person and online.

Once pornography stopped providing me with the excitement I craved, I began seeking out sexual encounters in bars and online. I wanted a real relationship, but couldn’t let go of this need to fulfill my fantasies.

If you engage with pornographic materials, you might wonder whether or not you are addicted to pornography. As with other forms of addiction, each person experiences the addiction in their own way. In Christ, we know that pornography use on any level is sexual immorality. Christian counseling for pornography addiction is useful for all users of porn, even if they feel they don’t suffer from addiction. However, there are some key warning signs that point to a problem which is addictive in nature.

Symptoms of pornography addiction include:

• Increase in time spent with pornographic materials. Some lose hours or even days lost to pornography.
• A progression in the intensity and vulgarity of the sexual content being viewed, even if it goes against your values.
• Continued pornography use despite consequences.
• An inability to stop using pornography.
• Lying about porn use, including the nature of content and frequency of use.
• Anger or irritability if confronted by others about your porn usage.
• Escalation from viewing pornography to engaging in risky sexual encounters either in person or online.

If you or a loved one is struggling with pornography addiction, our skilled Christian counseling for pornography professionals at Tacoma Christian Counseling are ready to help.

How Pornography Addiction Affects Your Life and Relationships

Pornography Addiction and Your Mind and Body

The addictive nature of pornography has a physical effect on the brain. As with alcohol and drugs, pornography causes a chemical response in the brain. This response is mostly fueled by the neurotransmitter, dopamine, but also includes other biochemicals such as oxytocin, adrenaline, and endorphins. These chemicals create a high, which  combats negative feelings such as depression and anxiety. The problem is that in order to maintain the same levels of these chemicals and the same high, porn addicts find themselves increasing porn use and escalating towards materials and acts which they would have found too risky or unethical before.

Pornography Addiction and Your Relationships

Pornography addiction can make having a healthy relationship nearly impossible. Partners of porn addicts often feel betrayed, insecure, and have issues with trust in the relationship. Conversely, those who watch porn experience a change in their perceptions of intimacy and sex, which can cause serious relationship problems. Pornography degrades women as well as men, and portrays sex as an act of vulgarity, power, and sometimes violence rather than an act of intimacy, bonding, and communion between two loving partners. Pornography addiction often causes other issues such as erectile dysfunction, lack of interest in your spouse, and difficulty enjoying sexual activity that doesn’t mimic pornographic acts.

Help for Partners of Pornography Addicts

If your spouse has a problem with pornography addiction, we understand the struggles you face on a personal level as well as within your relationship. Whether you need help making sense of a past relationship which was ruined by porn addiction, or if your current partner is struggling with these issues and you need support, or if your partner is currently in Christian counseling for pornography addiction and you want to know how to help them recover, we are here to lend you guidance and support. Partners of porn addicts often feel betrayed, neglected, and threatened with pressure to live up to the men, women, and sexual acts portrayed by pornography. These things lead to issues of insecurity, depression, mistrust, and emotional disconnect from your partner. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we sympathize with your struggle, and we are here to help you in whichever way you require.

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption. – 1 Corinthians 1:30

If addiction to pornography has you in chains, know that there is hope. Tacoma Christian Counseling for pornography addiction can help you free yourself from this bondage so you can rebuild your self-esteem, your relationships, and your connection with God. Christ wishes for all his children to find redemption and freedom from sin in all forms. Through good Christian counseling fortified by faith in the promises and patience of God, full recovery is possible.

Christian counseling for pornography addiction can help you:

• Understand the cause for your addiction.
• Manage the things which cause you to use pornography as a coping mechanism.
• Seek out healing and wholeness through Christ.
• Rebuild damage to your relationship with yourself, loved ones, and with God.
• Redirect your life toward things that  add meaning and fulfillment to your life.

In Christ, all things are possible. Through Christian counseling for pornography addiction, our aim is to help you fill the void in your life with light and hope. Our Christian counselors are very compassionate and understanding of people in your situation. Just as Christ showed compassion mercy to Mary Magdalene as she faced stoning for adultery, we take a similar stance towards those who are repentant and sincerely wish to turn their lives to Christ.

Our Approach to Healing Pornography Addiction

Pornography addiction is a form of sexual addiction. Therefore, the approach will be similar to Christian counseling for sexual addiction. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, our team includes skilled Certified Sex Addiction Therapists who are extensively trained in addiction counseling. Like sexual addiction counseling, Christian counseling for pornography addiction is comprised of three phases: behavioral counseling, core counseling, and relational counseling. While Christian counseling for pornography addiction does follow these three phases, your counselor will get to know you and your personal experience with pornography addiction in order to develop a plan that suits your unique needs for recovery.

Behavioral Counseling: The focus here is to better understand your emotions, thoughts, and actions. You will learn how to become more aware of your inner dialogue and emotions so that you can gain better control of negative thoughts and behaviors. Once you learn how to be kinder and more patient with yourself, you will work towards meeting basic needs in your life.

Core Counseling: Addiction is typically a symptom of hidden problems. Through Christian counseling for pornography addiction, you will tackle those issues along with the feelings of shame, insecurity, depression, and fear often associated with pornography addiction.

Relational Counseling: Once you learn how to become the ruler of your thoughts and emotions and have addressed the wounds which fed your addiction, you will work towards building a new life without pornography. Our goal is to nurture your true self, to help you rebuild relationships, and to promote a more meaningful connection with others and with God.

Christian counseling for pornography addiction will take you on a personal journey of healing and redemption. Sometimes the road can be rough, but we are dedicated to seeing you through the hard times. With the advancements in neuroscience, we have a better understanding of how addiction affects the functionality and physical makeup of the brain. We also know that counseling is shown to be very effective in re-wiring negative patterns in the brain for those who suffer from addiction. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we have seen people escape seemingly impossible forms of bondage through faith in Christ with the help of our skilled and compassionate Christian counselors.

Is Christian counseling for pornography addiction confidential?

Yes. Everything you discuss with your Christian counselor is protected, private information. Even the fact that you attend Christian counseling for pornography addiction is kept confidential. Only in instances where your counselor assesses you are at risk of harming yourself or others can they break that confidentiality.

Do women suffer from pornography addiction?

Yes. While pornography addiction is thought to be a predominately male condition, many women also suffer from it. Just like men, women can experience life traumas and other things that increase the risk of becoming addicted to pornography. Christian counseling for pornography addiction is available to both men and women through Tacoma Christian Counseling.

Do pornography addicts experience relapse?

As with all forms of addiction, pornography addicts can experience times of relapse. Recovery from pornography addiction can sometimes feel like two steps forward and one step back, but as long as you are making progress and continue working towards a full recovery, we will do all we can to help you succeed.

How do I find the right Christian counselor?

First, it’s important that you find a professional who is experienced in Christian counseling for pornography addiction. We welcome you to browse our online counselor profiles to search for a Christian counselor that fits your needs.

Do pornography addicts seek counseling for other issues?

Often those with pornography addiction also suffer from other problems. Your Christian counselor will evaluate your individual situation and determine which focus to take in your recovery process. Pornography addicts often benefit from Christian counseling for depression, Christian counseling for anxiety, and Christian counseling for couples.

Don’t continue fighting addiction alone. Our Christian counselors are ready to help.

Seeking help for pornography addiction takes courage. We commend you on doing the hard thing and facing your problem. If you are unsure about Christian counseling for pornography addiction, we encourage you to take advantage of our risk-free initial session. Simply give us a call at (253) 777-1997 or contact us online to schedule your appointment.