Porn addiction is a common co-occurring disorder for people who are dealing with substance abuse problems. In fact, according to one study, substance abuse and porn addiction usually occur simultaneously. Dealing with one issue is already challenging enough but when porn addiction and substance abuse happen simultaneously, it becomes much more difficult to overcome this cross-addiction.
People who are addicted to porn cannot control the impulse even if they know that it is already harming them. It is for this reason why porn addiction, as well as other behavioral addictions such as gambling, sex addiction, and food addiction are often compared with substance addictions like alcoholism and drug abuse. The signs and symptoms are also quite similar
For a person who is not yet addicted, using pornography and drugs at the same time increases the risk of addiction as well as the damage to a user’s life. It is then important to be aware of your own habits in order to know when it is time to limit yourself.
Is your porn habit harmful?
Billions of people watch porn every single day, maybe even every single minute. With technology making it easier for people to access porn, you can watch porn whenever you like without any limitations. While the word “porn” used to be a taboo subject, many people now find it quite normal to admit to watching porn once in a while. In fact, if you claim that you’ve never watched porn in your life, then you’re probably the weird one or maybe you’re just plain lying.
So, if watching porn is a common, even normal, activity everyone does, when does it become harmful? When do you know that you’re watching too much porn and you need to quit the habit? Here are some signs you need to look out for to curb the habit.
Porn is negatively affecting your relationships
Watching porn is not always a solo activity. Many couples enjoy watching videos in order to spice up their relationships and there’s really nothing unusual about this. However, for people who are addicted to watching porn, this could become a cause of conflict in their relationships. Some people even prefer to watch porn rather than engage in human contact.
Porn is affecting your job
Many people working in the IT department would probably attest that many employees do visit porn sites in the office. In fact, one study showed that 63% of men and 36% of women have admitted to watching porn while on the job. While most people are aware that this is not a healthy habit, they still continue to do so in the expense of their job.
You’re watching porn even in public places
You might think that it’s harmless to watch porn in public as long as you’re discreet about it, but this might lead to a public indecency charge and may get you in trouble with the law, depending on where you are living. Watching porn in public also delivers the risk of having minors exposed to the videos, which is a much bigger problem when you’re caught.
You prioritize porn over food and sleep
While porn videos are mostly created to be a source of entertainment and sexual satisfaction, an addiction to it can also cause ill physical effects. Failing to do normal daily activities like eating or sleeping because of long hours of watching porn can make you sick and unable to function normally. When you are already sacrificing your health, these can be considered as signs of a behavioral addiction.
You spend an insane amount of money over porn
There are countless of porn videos available in the internet. You don’t even have to pay anything nowadays to watch porn with all the free videos available online. However, many people with a porn addiction tend to develop an obsessive habit of wanting more. It is therefore not unusual for them to go on paid web sites and spend money to satisfy their addiction.
You start seeking stimulants, alcohol, and other substances to heighten the pleasure you get from porn
Many people who are addicted to watching porn exhibit the same behavior as drug addicts. When they feel that the usual videos they watch are not bringing them excitement anymore, they seek out ways to heighten their pleasure. One of these methods include taking illicit substances, which can lead to another addiction.
Porn addiction is a serious behavioral addiction that can affect your life. While some people may be able to overcome this habit by themselves, it can be very difficult for many others to stop especially if it is already co-occurring with a substance abuse problem.
If you are struggling with addictions, contact Lighthouse Treatment Center today to learn more about our specialized programs.
