Porn Addiction: What You Should Know

Porn addiction is a real phenomenon, one that's becoming more common among young people. We'll talk about its consequences and treatment.

Reviewed and approved by la psicóloga Laura Ruiz Mitjana.

Written by Josberth Johan Benitez Colmenares

Last update: 22 February, 2023

According to recent estimates, almost 80% of people (men and women) view pornography on a recurring basis. The Internet has made their access easier, so much so that just a few taps on the screen are enough to access an enormous catalog of movies. Sometimes the frequency with which they’re accessed reaches pathological limits, so much so that there’s a term for it: Porn addiction.

This condition isn’t a medical diagnosis. It’s not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), nor in the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO). In fact, some authors prefer to talk about the problematic use of pornography. Whatever the case, we want to teach you about the consequences and treatment.

The consequences of porn addiction

The consequences of consuming pornography are both positive and negative. Positive in the sense that they mediate sexual autonomy, self-awareness, exploration of sexual identity, and empowerment (among other things).

Among its negative aspects, we can highlight high-risk sexual behaviors, a greater number of sexual partners, sexual permissiveness, extramarital sex, and paying to have sex.

This is when viewing adult movies doesn’t reach pathological limits. However, the line is very fine. Basically, when the consumption of this type of production is affecting well-being, it’s considered an addiction. That is, when it’s impacting job performance, interpersonal relationships, and personality. Let’s look at some common signs of porn addiction:

• Hiding habits from your partner, friends, or family
• The inability to stop consuming pornography despite having tried several times
• Recurring viewing of materials of this type (often every day)
• Watching movies at inappropriate times (at work, in public areas)
• Viewing increasingly extreme themes in order to achieve pleasure
• Consuming adult movies automatically (as you brush your teeth or bathe; that is, as part of your routine)
• Using materials to counteract specific situations such as loneliness, sadness, anger, and anxiety

According to the evidence, up to 63.7% and 39.2% of women had their first encounter with content of this type between the ages of 9 and 13. The age has been reduced more and more, as up until a couple of decades ago, access was made in mid-adolescence or at the end of it. As we’ve already mentioned, the ease of its access has motivated the increase in its use.

There are many ways in which porn addiction affects a person. It does so on several levels: Personally, in their relationship with their partner, and in the way they relate to others. We’ll leave you with four consequences of addiction to adult movies and how they impact a person’s well-being.

Sexual dysfunction

Recent studies have linked problems in sexual functioning with problematic use of pornography. The main effect is sexual dysfunction. This is a very complex phenomenon, one that manifests as follows:

• Disorders of sexual desire/interest (hypoactive sexual desire disorder and sexual aversion disorder)
• Arousal disorders (erectile dysfunction, absence of vaginal lubrication, and persistent genital arousal disorder)
• Orgasmic disorders (premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, post-orgasmic disorders, and anorgasmia)
• Pain disorders (dyspareunia and vaginismus)

Almost all episodes of this type have increased in recent decades, and although they may have other catalysts, the pathological consumption of pornography has encouraged them. As is to be expected, all these sequelae have a direct impact on the quality of social relationships, the well-being of the couple’s relationship, self-esteem, and well-being in general.

Financial problems

When thinking about porn addiction, it’s often done in ignorance of its economic consequences. Certainly, not everyone who accesses this content does so for free; as the feeling of exclusivity and variety leads many individuals to pay for pornographic content.

Access to platforms, videos, images, and other content can represent a significant financial burden on the affected party.

To understand how much it can impact your finances, it’s a good idea to contrast it with the financial burden of a gambling addict, a person with an alcohol use disorder, or someone with a substance abuse disorder. In all these cases, those who are affected allocate a good part of their money to the source of their addiction, something that also happens in many episodes of addiction to adult movies.

Changes in sexual patterns and habits

The prolonged consumption of materials of this type modifies the behavior that a person manifests during their sexual encounters. The tendency to imitate what’s seen in pornographic films develops and the addict forgets that it’s a dramatized and fictitious production.

In men, the inclination to be dominant, aggressive, authoritarian, and manipulative is born, while women acquire a submissive, complacent, and docile attitude.

They also increase the chances of developing paraphilia; that is, sexual behaviors that deviate from the norm. When the partner doesn’t conform to the behavior that’s assumed, frustration, disappointment, rejection, and even feelings of imposing it by force are generated.

In fact, some authors have found violent behavior in courtships encouraged by the consumption of particularly violent films.

Emotional and personality disorders and identity problems

Like any other addiction, people are exposed to episodes of stress, anxiety, and depression by not being able to contain their problem. More severe disorders may also manifest, such as personality disorders (narcissistic, passive-aggressive, avoidant, dependent, and others) and identity problems. The latter is motivated by the body standards of the movies.

Indeed, the male and female bodies in adult films conform to a canon that doesn’t correspond to the standard of the population that views them. People can then develop discomfort with their own bodies, which affects their ability to enjoy sex, find a partner, and relate to others.

Can porn addiction be treated?

Fortunately, there’s evidence that addiction to pornography is reversible. The biochemical, psychological, and neurological mechanisms that affect it aren’t permanent, so the problem can be approached from different sides. However, as it’s not a recognized addiction, there’s no standard treatment to deal with it.

Psychological therapy and the intake of certain drugs are often used to treat other types of addictions, so they’ll be the starting point in these cases. The support of family, a partner, and friends is crucial to overcome the episodes. If you think you have an addiction to pornography, don’t hesitate to consult with a psychology professional.