Porn Addiction Treatment in San Diego

What Is Porn Addiction?

Porn addiction refers to a person becoming emotionally dependent on pornography, to the point that it interferes with their relationships, daily life, and ability to function. Porn addiction is a compulsive behavior pattern in which a person repeatedly watches pornography or engages in porn-related habits despite its negative effects.

Porn Addiction vs. Porn Compulsion

Whether porn is an addiction or compulsion is still one of the biggest debates regarding excess porn use. Compulsion is an intense urge to engage in repetitive behavior with no rational motivation, while addiction is the inability to stop a behavior despite negative consequences. Both an addiction and compulsion make a person uncomfortable and involve a lack of control. Our inclination at Intrapyschic is to use the term compulsive sexual behavior, as doing so presumed that the behavior is under voluntary control by the person in question, and is simply dysregulated.

Porn Addiction Symptoms

The diagnosis of porn addiction, or hypersexuality, is controversial since most therapists do not acknowledge it as they find it difficult to explain why viewing porn can sometimes escalate into out-of-control behavior. Porn addiction is real, and the following are related symptoms:

• • • Difficulty controlling porn use and feeling as if one is unable to stop using it
    • Continuing use of porn despite the negative effects on your work and relationships
    • Watching porn for hours or for longer periods than intended
    • Ignoring responsibilities to watch porn
    • Spending money on pornography at the expense of your daily or family necessities
    • Using pornography to cope with sadness, anxiety, depression, insomnia and other mental issues
    • Feeling guilty, ashamed, and frustrated after viewing porn but continuing to do so

The causes of porn addiction are not clear. For some early introduction to sexual materials, such as pornography or molest experiences, seems to ‘pave the way’ for later hypersexuality. Experts who acknowledge the existence of pornography addiction also believe it might be caused by factors such as unhealthy cultural norms, relationship problems, biological causes, and underlying mental health conditions.

Porn Addiction Treatment Options

Offering help to people addicted to pornography is difficult; many are reluctant to talk about their addiction due to shame. Those who seek help benefit from treatment, especially when they find an understanding therapist who can manage and address other issues such as ones associated with intimacy, depression, early sexual abuse, and shame caused by porn addiction. Some of the porn addiction treatment options include:

Support groups

Support groups are an excellent option for most people struggling with pornography use, since they are free, and interested individuals can speak to other people with first-hand experience. In addition, group members support each other by providing psychosocial assistance to achieve a full recovery.

Behavior modification

Behavior modification is a common treatment used by therapists and involves replacing porn addiction behavior with another appropriate behavior. Behavior modification can help a person recover fully from porn addiction, as they learn to manage and even stop watching porn obsessively

Medication-Assisted Treatment

It is common for people suffering from porn addiction to have other co-occurring conditions, such as depression. Your therapist might therefore decide to combine behavioral therapy and counseling with approved medical prescriptions to effectively treat porn addiction and other psychological disorders.

Holistic approach

A holistic approach is a whole-body approach that focuses on improving the health and wellness of a person as a whole rather than just porn addiction. This approach combines traditional therapy, alternative medicine, and other complementary techniques to encourage people to take responsibility and change their behavior to recover fully.

How Do I Tell If My Partner Is Being Unfaithful?

There are a few signs that may indicate that your partner is cheating, but it is important to keep in mind that these signs alone do not necessarily mean that this is the case. Some possible signs of cheating include:

1. 1. Your partner is suddenly very protective of their phone or computer and is always on it when you are not around.
   2. Your partner is suddenly very distant and emotionally unavailable.
   3. Your partner is suddenly more critical of you or your relationship.
   4. Your partner is suddenly more attentive to their appearance and grooming habits.
   5. Your partner is suddenly working longer hours or is frequently unavailable.
   6. Your partner is suddenly very secretive about their activities or whereabouts.

If you are concerned that your partner may be cheating, it is important to communicate openly and honestly with them. Try to have a calm and honest conversation about your concerns and listen to what they have to say. It is important to approach the situation with compassion and understanding and if honesty can be achieved, look into a therapeutic option.

Porn Addiction Counseling & Treatment in San Diego, California

Our experience has been on that indicates that excessive pornography use weakens one’s self-esteem and causes general life problems. At Intrapsychic in San Diego, we have qualified and trained staff who offer our clients various counseling and treatment services to help them recover.

We provide our clients with a safe environment free from stigmatization, allowing them to develop the inner strength to honestly account for their behavior and make positive changes that improve their lives. Contact us for more information and help.

Image Source: sulit.photos / Shutterstock