It’s long been believed that men are more susceptible to porn addiction than women, with 4.4% of men and just 1.2% of women considering themself porn addicts. Research shows that men are more aroused by visual stimulation alone, while women require an emotional connection for sexual arousal and satisfaction. While this isn’t true for everyone, it does explain why 70% of men between the ages of 18 and 24 visit porn websites every month.
With more and more men falling victim to porn addiction, new therapy methods and treatment programs are emerging.
Here we’ll take a closer look at the best methods of curing porn addiction for men.
What Causes Porn Addiction?
Porn addiction is identified as a person becoming emotionally dependent on pornography to the extent that it interferes with their daily lives. This includes negatively impacting relationships, their financial status, and even their livelihood.
Research on what causes porn addiction is ongoing. Because there’s no definitive test or diagnosis for this type of addiction, the root cause varies drastically from one person to another. Some researchers believe it’s not the porn itself that becomes addicting but, instead, the reduced stress viewers experience after watching or viewing the material and masturbating.
Other potential causes include men who are dissatisfied sexually in their relationship, have underlying mental health issues, biological triggers, and unrealistic cultural norms.
Overcoming Porn Addiction in Men
Once you’ve established that your habit of viewing porn is negatively impacting your life, it’s time to seek treatment. Certain approaches work better than others, depending on the root cause of your addiction and how long you’ve been consuming pornographic material.
Here are some of the best treatment options and cures for men battling porn addiction.
Therapy
Porn addiction is still an addiction, which is why therapy is often the first stop on the road to recovery. Unfortunately, many porn addicts are too embarrassed or ashamed to seek the help they need.
Online therapy and treatment programs like Stop Together are designed to provide addicts with the resources, support, and information they need to overcome their addiction. Online courses help protect the addict’s identity and offer both privacy and anonymity.
Photo by Michael Burrows from PexelsIn-person and group therapy sessions are also viable options. Some addicts respond best to group settings where they can exchange ideas and experiences with other addicts. The shared experience, approaches, and struggles of other men battling porn addiction help certain addicts feel less alone in their journey.
Popular therapy approaches include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness and meditation. Couples counseling can also be beneficial if your porn addiction is negatively impacting your romantic relationship. This form of sex addiction can cause resentment, distrust, and emotional instability.
Lifestyle Changes
Some men view pornography out of boredom, while others use it as a form of stress relief. One way to overcome a porn addiction is to adopt new, healthier forms of stress relief. This is one reason why mindfulness and meditation are such useful tools in porn addiction therapy.
Yoga is another way to control your breathing, thoughts, and urges. The more connected an individual is with their thoughts, the better able they are to identify triggers and acknowledge their urges without giving in to them. Other forms of exercise can also reduce stress and elicit feelings of happiness and relaxation. The same way porn does for men who view it regularly. Adopting an exercise routine (and sticking to it) can help reduce stress, boost confidence, and eliminate the need for viewing pornography.
Healthy activities that promote socialization and help porn addicts form meaningful relationships is also a useful tool. Joining a club or church or volunteering are all positive ways to get involved outside the house, form friendships, and feel fulfilled.
Medication
Medication is often a last resort when treating porn addiction and is used to treat the underlying catalyst, not the addiction itself. When porn addiction is being used to ease symptoms of an underlying medical condition or mental health disorder, medication may help.
Some studies show that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRRIs) can help treat hypersexual or compulsive sexual behaviors, including addiction to porn. SSRIs are normally used to treat depression but may also be helpful in treating sex addiction.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is an unconventional treatment option for porn addiction but one that might help men who can’t find relief using other methods. Hypnosis is a form of guided meditation that involves creating a trance-like state where the addict is able to identify and resolve deeper issues. The ultimate goal is to identify the root cause of the addiction by tapping into the subconscious mind.
Bi-Lateral Analysis Stimulation Technique (BLAST) is another form of hypnosis similar to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EDMR). EDMR involves using the addicts’ eye movements to help navigate their trauma, while BLAST focuses on processing past traumas through physical movement.
Signs You Need Porn Addiction Treatment
Some men believe their porn habit is simply that, a habit. While there’s no harm in indulging in pornographic material from time to time, things get serious when the habit becomes a dependency and starts to negatively impact the person’s life.
Here are some of the most tell-tale signs that your porn addiction is slowly spiraling out of control.
- Inability to stop viewing porn despite trying
- The desire to view porn more often or increasingly graphic material
- No longer interested in sex with your significant other
- More demanding of your partner for increasingly taboo or violent sex acts
- Going into debt in order to consume exclusive content
- Increased mood swings and irritability
All of these warning signs are strong indicators that porn is taking a negative hold on your life.
Curing Porn Addiction is Possible
If you’re a man struggling with porn addiction, you’re not alone. While there’s no one-size-fits-all cure for this addiction, identifying the root cause and experimenting with different treatment options can help reduce your viewing.
That means most men can continue viewing pornography in moderation and still lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
Featured Image by Anna Sulencka from Pixabay