What starts off as an occasional glance at pornography can lead into an addiction. A secret behind closed doors, alienating us from those we love. Pornography is squirming its way into nearly every household and often negatively impacting relationships.
Maltz and Maltz (2008) state that regular porn use interferes with ones’ self-esteem, their sexual intimacy with their partner, making it harder to feel connected, shutting down feelings of intimacy and desire and impacting sexual function. Pornography is actively spreading harmful misinformation about sex, omitting what is important in a healthy relationship (Fight the new drug, 2022).
While many spouses believe that it is a rejection of themselves that drives their partners to view pornography, Skinner (2005) believes that pornography addiction often starts at a young age. Contributing factors influencing the addiction can be controlling or uninvolved parents, loneliness and isolation, seeing a model of unhealthy relationship, a negative social system and early childhood sexual abuse.
Pornography addiction can be just as hard to break free from as any other addiction.
If you or your partner have a problem with pornography, there are a few steps that are helpful
- Share with a trusted and supportive person about your pornography problem
- Find a treatment program or skilled therapist to support you
- Create a pornography free environment
- Change your lifestyle to succeed
- Take care of your physical and emotional health
A skilled therapist may be helpful with strategies for recovery from pornography addiction as well as strengthening connection and intimacy in your relationship in a confidential manner.
References
Fight the New Drug (2022). https://fightthenewdrug.org/how-porn-can-distort-consumers-understanding-of-healthy-sex/
Maltz, W. & Maltz, L (2008). The porn trap: The essential guide to overcoming problems caused by pornography, USA: Harper Collins.
Skinner, K (2005). Treating pornography addiction: The essential tools for recovery, USA: Growth Climate.