With the prevalence of porn overtaking our lives, it’s only natural that some people will fall victim to its addictive nature. However, porn addiction can have many adverse side effects, the impact of which is still being understood.
Today we want to share a positive side of this struggle – the fact that you can overcome your addiction and find the path to recovery. No matter how long you’ve succumbed to this behavior or how severely it affected your life, there is always a path toward redemption.
The Psychological Effects of Porn Addiction
We’ve already discussed some of the physiological effects that come from porn addiction, but it’s imperative that we understand that these impacts can go far deeper than you realize. Being addicted to porn is like anything else, meaning that it can adversely affect your psychological health as well.
Here are some of the ways that porn can alter your mind.
Removes Intimacy from Relationships
When you’re with someone, you experience a multitude of feelings while you’re together. Love, passion, and intimacy are three that can be ruined by porn addiction if you’re not careful. But why does porn poison these emotions in your mind?
Part of the reason is that porn focuses on the physical act of sex, not the feelings behind it. When you make love to your partner, it’s about much more than physical pleasure – it’s a bond between you that you share.
Porn removes that bond, meaning that you start to commodify sex as a means of achieving a pleasurable result. Over time, the lack of intimacy between you and your partner can worsen, which will affect the way you feel about her. In worst-case scenarios, you may stop loving your partner because you no longer see the need for such emotions.
Takes Over Your Thoughts
There’s a reason why porn is so addictive. The impulses and reactions that it creates in your mind are so powerful that it’s almost impossible to resist once you’ve succumbed to them. When things are really bad, you will notice that you start thinking about porn virtually all the time, even when it’s imprudent to do so.
You’ll think about porn when you should be focused on other activities. It will become more and more of a distraction, to the point where you feel like you have to engage in it all the time to give in to your urges.
The other side of this is that it can influence the way you think about other people. Interactions with friends, family, co-workers, and strangers on the street can come with sexual overtones because your brain is hard-wired to think about sex all the time. If you notice that you’re starting to think about people this way, it’s a sure sign that porn has warped your brain.
Don’t Let Porn Define You
When you realize that you’re fully addicted to porn, it can be devastating to your ego and your self-esteem. Admitting an addiction is challenging for most people because they feel like it’s the same as giving up. By recognizing that you’re addicted, you’re implying that you are powerless to stop.
Thus, it’s imperative that you change your mindset. Don’t view admittance as a defeat, but as the foundation for a successful recovery. Everyone who has beaten their addiction will tell you that admitting that they have a problem is the first step toward changing their behavior.
When you think about it as an empowering tool, you can allow yourself to feel better about recovering from it. Admitting that you have an addiction is brave, not cowardly. It takes real guts to recognize when you need help, so let that serve as your starting point.
Another reason why so many people have a hard time admitting they’re addicted to something is that they believe that it will define them. You’re no longer an individual, but now you’re a “porn addict.” However, as long as you submit to the behavior, that will be true. As soon as you commit to making a change, that title no longer holds any power over you.
Find the Path to Recovery Today
We’re not here to say that beating porn addiction is easy – it isn’t. Overcoming any addictive behaviors is always a struggle, whether it’s drugs, alcohol, or porn. However, you have the strength and determination inside of you to go the distance.
If you’re interested in recovering from your addiction, it’s imperative that you find a support system to guide you along the way. While it can be tempting to think that you can go it alone, the fact is that that mentality will only slow you down. Confiding your struggle in someone you trust can give you more accountability for your actions, which can propel you towards a successful resolution.
The other thing to keep in mind is that you will backslide on occasion. However, these slip-ups don’t define you or your progress. As long as you recommit yourself to the cause, you will emerge victorious.
Porn addiction may have a hold on you right now, but that doesn’t mean it will consume your life. You have the power to make a change – start today.
