Understanding the Signs of Porn Addiction

An obsession with pornographic materials, either in print or in video, is one of the most common addictions that plague society nowadays. Although most people won’t acknowledge it, porn addiction is as damaging as being addicted to drugs and alcohol. It damages both one’s self and society in its rampage.

Literally millions of people struggle with pornography everyday. Some will not admit it, but they are hooked to the sight of beautiful, seemingly young women willingly making love and committing other sexual acts with a man or sometimes even multiple men. Some are so addicted that they have pornography running in their minds when they see an attractive woman pass them by in the streets. Worse, some have even taken their addictive fantasies to the next level: by acting out their desires, usually by masturbation and, worse, through engaging in sexual acts with women that are mostly forced and unwanted by the woman.

That’s how damaging porn is. Pornography encourages the crime of rape, because most porn addicts have been desensitized to the idea that forcing a woman to have sexual intercourse is a crime and punishable by law. Some porn movies have graphically depicted rape, where women are fighting and kicking at first and become submissive in the end. These kinds of movies have promoted erroneous thoughts that as women turn to liking it when they are being raped. Thus, this has resulted to a person’s insensitivity and lack of fear of raping a woman, because the movies have taught him to think that even though women say “No,” they actually want to but are just fighting it.

Signs of being a Porn Addict

It is important these days to ask yourself, “Am I a porn addict?” How do you know if you are suffering from this addiction? What are the signs?

According to the University of Texas at Dallas, you know you are addicted to pornography if

• You view pornography uncontrollably. Even if you try not to, your mind brings up the thought and tempts you to view pornographic materials
• You find yourself feeling guilty after using it, but still you keep coming back for more.
• You refuse to acknowledge the extent of your viewing of porn, because you are afraid people will find out. It has become a closet habit.
• Your life becomes negatively affected by your obsession to pornography. Because you got nothing but porn in your life, your performance in your academics or in your work will be degraded. Your finances are also affected, as you find yourself craving for and obtaining more pornographic videos.
• You find yourself viewing pornography in unsafe and inappropriate locations. These locations include the workplace and any other public area where there is a computer or a video player that can be hidden in a semi-discreet place.
• You start to neglect your loved ones because your mind is more on the women on the previous you watch, and you feel nothing but the anticipation of viewing new ladies in the next video. This could result to a loss or destruction of relationships with people.