Why People Get Addicted to Porn?

The term “porn addiction” refers to a psychological dependence on porn that causes problems in one’s relationships and day-to-day life. Anyone is susceptible to developing a pornography addiction. However, some people have a higher propensity to develop an addiction due to their upbringing or other factors.

As with other forms of addiction, the origins of porn addiction are often unclear. Instead, there are a wide variety of factors that can lead to excessive pornographic content consumption.

There seem to be a number of different “causes” of a pornographic fixation. These “causes” can be broken down into four broad classes: biological, psychological, social, and environmental.

Reasons why people start engaging in excessive pornographic behaviour are examined here.

Psychiatric Issues

In the United States, 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 children and adolescents will suffer from a mental health disorder in any given year. The most common of these are depression and anxiety, but PTSD and bipolar disorder are also included.

Even though that isn’t the only reason why people engage in addictive behaviour, it’s worth keeping in mind that the average time between the onset of mental illness symptoms and receiving treatment is 11 years. The human capacity for adaptive and maladaptive behaviour is largely formed within this time frame.

Porn addiction can be attractive to people with unmanaged depression and anxiety because of the temporary relief from those feelings and the immediate gratification that comes with engaging in the habit. For those still trying to find their footing, it can be a welcome release.

Problems in Intimate Relationships

Sexual excitement and gratification can be attributed directly to pornographic media consumption. Some people may turn to porn when they aren’t getting what they need from romantic partners emotionally or physically. In all but the most extreme cases, treatment for pornography addiction is not always recommended. In spite of the availability of residential treatment, there are a number of outpatient programmes that can aid those struggling with a pornographic addiction.

Care for People with a Porn Addiction

If you think your pornographic viewing habits are affecting your life negatively, there is assistance available. Psychotherapy is the mainstay of care for compulsive sexual behaviour. Possible options include:

CBT is a form of talking therapy that focuses on changing a person’s thought processes and behaviours. With the help of your mental health professional, you will be able to pinpoint the sources of your distress and develop strategies for resolving them.

One type of cognitive behavioural therapy is called acceptance and commitment therapy, and it focuses on learning to accept one’s thoughts and urges while simultaneously committing to behaviours that are more in line with one’s values.

Understanding one’s unconscious thoughts and actions, uncovering one’s motivating factors, and resolving conflicts are central goals of psychodynamic psychotherapy.
The chemicals in the brain that contribute to compulsive behaviour and thoughts can be managed with medication. This group consists of:

Antidepressants. Medication for mood disorders, anxiety, and OCD can help.

Naltrexone (Vivitrol) (Vivitrol). Addictions to alcohol and opiates can be treated with this medication. It prevents your brain from sending pleasure signals to the area responsible for addiction.
Antidepressants are medicines that can help regulate one’s mood. It’s possible that when used to treat mental health issues like bipolar disorder, these drugs can lessen one’s need to engage in sexually compulsive behaviour.
Anti-androgens. The impacts of male sexual hormones are mitigated by these medications (androgens). They dampen men’s libido by a significant amount.
Self-help and support groups, such as Sex Addicts Anonymous and Sexaholics Anonymous, are another option. In addition to providing emotional support from people who get it, these groups can also provide referrals to professionals in mental health with experience treating people with problematic pornographic behaviour.