Defining Porn Addiction

At a conceptual level, the primary objective of this blog series is to maintain a clinical perspective and provide scientific insights into what constitutes pornography addiction (PA), its societal impact, development, detrimental effects on individuals, and potential interventions for those grappling with addictive pornography consumption. To initiate this exploration, let's begin with the definition of PA as articulated by the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP). According to IITAP, pornography addiction is identified when an individual meets at least three of the following 10 criteria:

1. Repeated inability to resist impulses to engage in pornography use.
2. Regular involvement in pornography to an escalated extent.
3. Persistent desire or unsuccessful attempts to cease, minimize, or control pornography use.
4. Excessive time spent acquiring pornography, engaging sexually with it, or recovering from pornography experiences.
5. Preoccupation with pornography or preparatory activities leading to its use.
6. Frequent engagement in pornography at the expense of fulfilling other responsibilities (e.g., occupational, domestic, or social).
7. Continued pornography use despite awareness of persistent social, financial, psychological, or physical problems caused or exacerbated by it.
8. The need to escalate the frequency or risk level of pornography consumption to achieve the desired effect, or experiencing a diminishing effect with the same level of intensity.
9. Sacrificing or limiting social, occupational, or recreational activities due to pornography use.
10. Experiencing distress, anxiety, restlessness, or irritability when unable to engage in pornography use.

The Stealthy Menace

I previously mentioned the insidious nature of this affliction. Based on the outlined criteria, an individual is typically grappling with pornography addiction (PA) when confronted with a loss of control over their behavior, impairment across various facets of life, and an escalating consumption of increasingly explicit or risky pornographic content over time. Similar to other addictions, those with PA often fail to recognize the problematic nature of their pornography use until it has already become the norm in their brain's neurochemical landscape. In essence, the intense "high" derived from pornography, fueled by its status as a super-stimulus, reshapes the brain's priorities, leading it to crave pornography above all else.

In the contemporary landscape, high-definition pornography, coupled with its anonymity, easy accessibility, and affordability through online platforms, triggers the release of neurochemicals in quantities comparable to or even exceeding drugs like amphetamines or heroin. Individuals grappling with PA inevitably develop a tolerance to dopamine levels, compelling them to seek out more explicit or risky forms of pornography for satisfaction. Even though they may not recognize it at this stage, those experiencing PA are often deeply entrenched in denial and engage in regular self-deception with thoughts like, "I can quit whenever I want," or "I'm not causing harm to anyone." Regrettably, these self-assurances often prove untrue in the end.

The Broad Consequences of (Pornography) Addiction

The insidious nature of addiction, whether related to pornography or any other behavior or substance, lies in its ability to affect not only the addicted individual but also those around them. During my time in graduate school, I learned that, on average, each addicted person causes increased negative stress for four to five loved ones. A clinical medicine journal establishes negative correlations between pornography addiction (PA) and various issues such as erectile dysfunction, sexual dissatisfaction, body-image dissatisfaction, heightened sexual performance pressure, reduced actual sexual activity, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, substance abuse, and even problematic video game use.

IITAP reinforces this perspective in their CSAT training, referencing numerous professional journal articles that highlight how pornography addiction impacts not just the addicted individual but also their significant other, any children involved, and often extends to friends and family within the person’s social system due to deception and relational trauma. In my upcoming two blogs, I will delve into these consequences in greater detail.

The Origins and Consequences of Pornography Addiction

Causes of PA

The underlying causes of pornography addiction (PA) can be multifaceted. In my training as a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) candidate, the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) indicates that while PA is considered a subset of sex addiction, it may be more closely associated with technology addiction. Traditional sex addiction often stems from trauma and attachment disorders, manifesting in various behaviors, including pornography use, as a coping mechanism for issues like parental neglect, childhood abuse, emotional difficulties, and internal pain. In contrast, contemporary sex addiction, particularly driven by technology, doesn't necessarily hinge on these trauma or attachment factors but instead revolves around excessive pornography consumption. The super-stimulus nature of pornography, coupled with its AAA characteristics (affordability, anonymity, and accessibility), triggers a significant release of neurochemicals in the brain simultaneously. As with any stimulus, the brain develops a craving for more, and neurochemicals like dopamine and glutamate work together to create a subconscious association of pleasure and a memory of the experience for future seeking.

Delving into the neurobiology, evidence supporting the addictive nature of pornography suggests that compulsive use over time transforms the behavior into a brain disease for the consumer. A study by Voon and colleagues revealed that heavy pornography consumers exhibited a stronger craving for pornography compared to non-consumers, even though the amount of sexual desire derived from images or videos was not higher. This parallels how substances like alcohol and drugs impact the human brain. For instance, individuals with alcohol addiction do not derive more pleasure from alcohol than the average consumer; in fact, the pleasure diminishes over time for the addicted person. A similar finding was observed in the realm of PA in a study by Kuhn and Gallinat in 2014. They discovered that individuals who consumed more pornography had slower connections (less grey matter) between emotion-centered brain regions and logical brain regions. In essence, the more pornography a participant used, the more desensitized they became to its effects, akin to tolerance seen in substance addictions.

Associations with Pornography Addiction (PA)

The question arises: why do individuals initiate the use of pornography, opting for stimulating yet unrealistic visuals rather than engaging in real intimacy with partners or spouses? This is where we explore correlations or associations between pornography use and other variables. Determining the exact reasons behind the initiation of pornography use can be challenging, but a meta-study, providing an overview of numerous studies, has identified predictive factors for potential pornography addiction (PA): being male, young age, religiousness, frequent Internet use, negative mood states, and a propensity for sexual boredom or novelty seeking. Nevertheless, the development of PA varies among individuals, and these factors do not offer a comprehensive explanation. For instance, data shows an increasing prevalence of pornography addiction among women, emphasizing that a one-size-fits-all model does not apply. NoFap suggests several factors influencing the severity of an individual's addiction, such as early exposure to online pornography, years of compulsive use, extended duration of viewing sessions, concurrent addictions in other areas, porn-associated sexual dysfunctions, a lack of interest in real sex, and difficulty managing emotional states throughout the day.

As a candidate for Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), I believe that one factor outweighs the severity indicators mentioned when discussing PA. Pornography, like any other addiction, often begins because the consumer seeks realistic, deep, and fulfilling relationships but lacks the knowledge or skills to attain or sustain them. According to the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP), intimacy disorders form a fundamental cause of most substance or behavioral addictions. When individuals experience loneliness and find themselves stuck in their solitude, pornography becomes an immediate and accessible solution for instant gratification. However, being a pseudo-relationship, pornography sets these individuals up for failure. They fail to connect with an actual human, leaving them still yearning for the genuine joy of healthy intimacy, while simultaneously developing cravings for virtual, non-human images and videos. In the process, consumers may even adopt unhealthy relationship tactics learned from pornography when engaging in real relationships.

Impact on Individuals and Society

In the past, when pornography was primarily confined to centerfolds in magazines, there was limited research available to illustrate its internal and relational impact on individuals. Presently, one of my preferred resources highlighting the effects of pornography on persistent consumers, particularly those immersed in addiction, is FightTheNewDrug.org. Described as a "non-religious and non-legislative organization that aims to empower individuals to make informed decisions about pornography by raising awareness of its harmful effects using science, facts, and personal accounts," the website features several articles outlining how pornography can leave consumers lonely, harm their partners, damage their sex lives, provide misleading sexual education, and foster fantasies that ultimately "kill love." While these claims may seem extravagant, they are rooted in empirical studies or surveys involving participants who attempted to replace genuine relationships with pseudo-relationships, leading to emotional distress.

Beyond the individual and relational impacts, pornography addiction (PA) is adversely affecting society at large, as addicted consumers drive demand for products that directly harm future generations. One significant shift from magazine-based to online-based pornography over the last few decades has been the escalation of violence depicted on screen. This violence encompasses actions like rape, incest, and physical assaults during sexual encounters, often imposed on women and children. When such violence is not only condoned but economically demanded by those consuming pornography, it sets off a series of socially destructive events: it desensitizes consumers to violence, educates them (particularly youth) that sex includes violence, incentivizes the industry to produce more films with violent content, and fuels sex trafficking and modern-day slavery. For individuals struggling with pornography addiction, these revelations can be challenging to confront and may induce significant shame. As a counselor, my role is to assist clients in navigating and processing that shame in a therapeutic manner, ultimately guiding them toward replacing pornography with genuine, realistic, and healthy relationships.