Porn addiction is by far one of the most common addictions in the world right now. But like all addictions, many people who are caught in this spiral are hit initially by a wave of denial. Sadly, denying it doesn’t mean it is not there. It only makes it harder to break free from. Here are 10 sure signs that you have a porn addiction that needs working on.
1. You Compulsively Watch Porn
One of the hallmarks of addiction is impulsiveness. Addiction is the compulsive desire to consume a substance or do an action even when it causes harm to us.
If you ever feel compulsively drawn to watching porn, sometimes even when you do not feel like it, then you may be addicted to porn.
The compulsion usually lingers for long periods during the cause of the day, and when you do not give in to it, you may even start to show withdrawal symptoms.
2. Guilt and Shame
Guilt and shame go hand in hand when addictions are involved. I consider them the body’s reaction to giving in to something not considered right.
We have such a big system of right and wrong inside us. This system, many times, is unique. One may watch porn and see nothing wrong with it. But others may do the same and feel tremendous hatred towards themselves as a result.
The one who feels hatred may feel that because addiction has set in. Addictions expose a weakness. They tell a person that this person cannot do well without a certain activity.
Nobody wants to be seen as weak or overpowered, especially by themselves.
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3.‘I Can Stop When I Want.’
One of the first signs of addiction is a weird belief from the addicted that he or she is invisible.
Every addicted person I know who is still in the denial phase of this addiction admits that he or she will be able to stop whenever they want to.
But we know that this is a lie. Compulsions are not so easy to stop.
Usually, they take quite a while before clearing out. How long it takes depends on how much effort one puts into stopping the activity.
If you are very focused on stopping, you may be able to stop within a few weeks or, in some mild cases, days.
4. You Have Pornographic Material All Around You
One thing is peculiar about addictions. Addictions have a way of being around you all the time. A person who is addicted to drugs is always going to have drugs around him. One addiction to smoking is always going to have some cigars around. One that is addicted to pornography is going to have pornographic pictures, videos, and images around him all the time.
5. A Compulsive Desire to Stop
Soon after, the denial wanes away, and the guilt steps in with full force; then comes the desire to stop. And this desire is usually as compulsive as the desire to continue.
This usually feels like fighting yourself. So that, sooner or later, mood changes start to show up.
Do you know that porn addiction can mess with the way a person sees themselves?
Of course, it can. No one ever felt good about being defeated by a desire that brings them feelings of shame.
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6. Masturbation
Masturbation and pornography usually go hand in hand. This is especially true if the person addicted to porn does not have a number of sexual partners.
The addiction to masturbation is linked to how ‘experimental’ porn can be. It is rare to find a person who watches porn but has never tried to experiment with what is shown in these adult movies.
I believe it is the experimental nature of porn that makes it so severe. I remember my first encounter with porn years ago. Just two videos in, and I was consumed with the desire to try it out.
If you masturbate a whole lot and watch porn as much, then it has become an addiction.
7. Negative View of the Women
Since porn changes a person’s way of thinking, making the person seek to experiment rather than let things go the way they should, the person who is addicted to porn may begin to find that he has a negative view of women.
That is to say, he starts to see women as nothing but a means to find pleasure.
Some of the men I meet who are addicted to porn have a belief that women are best used for sex. This is very peculiar to porn addictions, which are very severe.
This can have men fantasizing about women even on the street. What porn does, is that it gives a person a much sharper mind when it comes to sex.
So, one is able to think about what a person will look like naked by just staring.
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8. Sex Addiction
Porn usually produces sex addiction as well as masturbation addiction.Â
This sex addiction is usually what makes some have a wrong view of the opposite sex in the first place.
9. Changes in Sex Life
A person’s sex life can be greatly affected by porn addiction. Partners of sex addicts usually agree that they suffer a peculiar kind of shallowness in bed.
That is to say, with porn addiction, it is unlikely that sex is going to continue to hold its intimacy. You will find it very uncommon for you to enjoy sex with your partner the way you ought to.
You will be trying to recreate a sex scene each time, performing all the sex positions that you find in those sex scenes.
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10. Pornographic Imagery During Sex
People who are addicted to porn agree that they think about someone else whenever they have sex with their partners. Since porn relies heavily on the mind’s ability to conjure images, it makes sex something like itself.
Porn addiction will often have you thinking of other people when you have sex.
Need some guidance to overcome porn addiction? Don’t worry; breaking free is possible. Check out the following tips:
- Understand porn: Reflect on its true nature and meaning to gain deeper awareness.
- Talk to a mature friend: Such a conversation isn’t easy, but their support can help you take positive steps forward.
- Consider the consequences: Porn can harm relationships and may even devalue individuals.
- Make commitments: Promise yourself to avoid using the Internet when you’re alone in a room, exit explicit content immediately, and talk to a friend if you relapse.
- Believe in yourself that you will be successful: Every time you resist the urge, it’s a significant victory. Celebrate each step along the way.
Read: What is Demisexuality and How Does it Differ From Other Forms of Sexuality
Summary
Porn addiction greatly impacts many areas of a person’s life. The signs show up sooner or later if you can pay attention. The impact of pornography accumulates over time, making it increasingly difficult to overcome with each viewing.
