Effects Of Porn Addiction

QUESTION: What are the effects of porn addiction?

ANSWER:

The effects of porn addiction are long-lasting. Consider this man's view:

"If there was one thing I could change about my life it would be my involvement with pornography. I have not viewed pornography in any significant fashion in 10 years, but my mind is still plagued by the images I saw over a decade ago. They seem to be engraved in my mind. I know that through Jesus Christ I have been forgiven and cleansed. Still, these images cause pain, regret, guilt, and frustration in my life."

Some effects of porn addiction are:

• Escalation/Desensitization: Addicts experience an ever-increasing lust and a craving for more intense porn. Eventually "soft-core" porn is not stimulating enough, which pushes them into "hard-core." It is a downward spiral.
  
  
• Dissatisfaction with your sex life: Spouses of addicts are affected as sex does not satisfy the addict as it once did. Men who look at porn are dissatisfied by their wife's appearance and this often leads to dysfunctional relationships.
  
  
• Addiction to masturbation: Those addicted to porn are almost always addicted to masturbation. The sexual urges become so strong that masturbation becomes the easiest way of release.
  
  
• Shame and guilt: Emotional pain is perhaps the most common effect of porn addiction. A deep sense of failure and shame is often experienced.
  
  
• Un-erasable images in your mind: Men who no longer view porn fight with mental images for years. They wish they could erase these images from their mind.
  
  
• "Lonerism" and Secrecy: Porn addicts generally keep to themselves and keep their addiction secret. This often results in dysfunctional relationships.
  
  
• Acting it out: Those who view porn frequently have a greater tendency to act out those sexual behaviors on others, no matter what the cost. This may include rape, group sex, voyeurism, having sex with children, inflicting pain, etc.
  
  
• A wrong view of women: Women in porn are viewed as less than human, mere property, and something to compete for or conquer.
  
  
  Learn More About Sexual Addiction.