Reclaiming Sanity: Journey Out of Porn Addiction
Hello!
I’d like to take a moment to talk about an issue that has been shaping American culture for quite some time now, and that is pornography. While it’s often seen as a taboo subject, the reality is that it’s becoming more and more normalized in our society, especially among young people. As an addiction therapist, I’ve seen firsthand the negative effects that pornography can have on relationships, both romantic and platonic.
To young people out there, I want you to know that you’re not alone. The prevalence of pornography is a difficult issue to navigate, especially when it’s so easy to access on the internet. But it’s important to understand that what you see in porn is not a reflection of real life. In fact, it can create unrealistic expectations about sex and relationships that can be damaging in the long run.
As for parents, it can be a challenge to talk to your children about pornography, but it’s important to have open and honest conversations about it. Children as young as 7 years old are being exposed to pornography, and it’s important to teach them about healthy relationships, consent, and the realities of sex.
Here are some of the negative effects that exposure to pornography can have on young people’s brains and relationships:
Pornography can lead to addiction and compulsive behavior. Studies have shown that the brain’s reward centers light up in the same way when watching porn as they do when using drugs. This can lead to a cycle of addiction that’s difficult to break.
Exposure to porn at a young age can impact brain development, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and empathy.
Pornography can create unrealistic expectations about sex and relationships, which can lead to dissatisfaction and disappointment in real life.
Pornography can lead to objectification and dehumanization of people, which can impact how young people view and treat others.
It’s important to note that recovery from pornography addiction is possible. Seeking help from a certified sex addiction therapist (CSAT) can be a good first step towards healing. A CSAT has specialized training in sex addiction and offer individualized treatment plans tailored to beginning recovery.
For more information and a free consultation, you may reach out to Chris Hebron, a licensed marriage and family therapist licensed substance use disorder professional and certified sex addiction therapist. Chris is also trained in EMDR, a therapy often used in trauma resolution that can come about as a result of betrayal or addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with pornography addiction or any other type of sexual addiction, please reach out to Chris for a free 20-minute consultation on how to get help. You can email him at chris@creativetherapycounseling.com or Chris has a website at www.creativetherapycounseling.com.
Remember, it’s never too late to seek help and start your journey towards healing and recovery.
References:
“Associations between Pornography Consumption and Sexual Practices among Adolescents in Sweden” (2021): https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/8/4124/htm
“Pornography and Romantic Relationship Quality: Findings from a Longitudinal Study with Young Adults” (2020): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0260691720303122
“Pornography and the Male Sexual Script: An Analysis of Consumption and Sexual Behaviors” (2019): https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-019-01508-8
“The Effects of Pornography on Children and Young People” (2019): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1468-4446.12472
“Pornography Consumption and Delay Discounting Among Adolescent Males” (2018): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6177799/
“Adolescent Pornography Use and Dating Violence among a Sample of Primarily Black and Hispanic, Urban-Residing, Under-Resourced Youth” (2018): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5793212/
“The Relationship Between Exposure to Pornography and Sexual Aggression: A Meta-Analysis” (2016): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00224499.2016.1143441