Don’t Let A Porn Addiction Affect Your Life

With the internet and other technologies, porn has become ubiquitous and even mainstream. Not that you want to talk about the porn you watched with your coworkers, but there isn’t the same kind of shame associated with watching porn these days.

This can be a good or bad thing depending on who is looking at the issue. One thing is for sure, though. There is a growing number of people who are addicted to porn and it is affecting their lives.

Wherever you stand on the issue of pornography, everybody can agree that some people cross the line and lose control over their lives because of porn.

So what is porn addiction and what can it do to you? Let’s take a closer look at the issue and see.

The physical effects

The most obvious effect that porn has on a man is erectile dysfunction. Many men end up desensitized and when they find themselves in a sexual situation are unable to get or maintain an erection.

Even once the porn addiction has been curbed, this effect is lingering. It can impact a man’s sex life for quite some time. Luckily, there are treatments available in the form of therapy and the little blue pill, ie Viagra. 

Getting a normal sex life back after a porn addicition is possible.

Social isolation

When a man or woman watches porn compulsively for many hours per week, or even in a day, it causes that person to withdraw socially. 

Even though porn is mainstream and people are not as often shamed for watching it, a compulsion is different. They feel shame at their lack of control and inability to curb their behavior. It can happen with other compulsions, as well, but there is the added stigma associated with a porn addiction that makes it worse.

Increased need for stimulation

Watching porn increases the release of dopamine in the brain and satisfies a viewer’s self gratification. Though in the case of a porn addict, it doesn’t go away after a few minutes. 

They need a constant dose of dopamine which then requires more to get the same feeling as before. This cycle continues and requires more and more hours of porn viewing to satisfy themselves. 

Because of this, it can destroy a person’s ability to get that dopamine rush from more positive life experiences. They won’t feel it when giving a gift that a family member appreciates, or from competing in sports. There are so many ways that this rush increases our quality of life, but they are not able to enjoy.

Decrease in quality of life

Withdrawing from family and friends, losing focus at work or school and depression all take their toll on a person’s quality of life. 

It is hard for them to enjoy the things other people enjoy on a daily basis. They derive little pleasure from a good meal or stimulating conversation with a friend. Instead, their thoughts are focused on when they can go back to watching porn.