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Understanding Addiction* - Support for Sexually Compulsive Behavior & Counselling Porn

If you’re viewing this page, it’s likely you’re worried about your use of sex or porn or of someone close to you. There are many terms covering this kind of activity ranging from addiction to sexually compulsive behavior and compulsive sexuality. Help is available to gain an understanding of what is happening and looking at what you want to change.

 

Firstly, before going further, do these thoughts or similar questions more bring you here today:

 

  • Are you finding yourself unable to get through the day without watching porn?

  • Are you wondering how to help someone with porn addiction?

  • Do you think about how to avoid watching ponography

  • Are you asking AI and search engines how to get help quitting porn?

  • Contemplating how many people are addicted to porn?

  • Are you asking yourself how much porn is an addiction?

  • Is sex becoming more of a focus than day to day life?

  • Do I have an addiction to sex or compulsive sexual behavior?

  • I am wondering about how to stop sex addiction?

  • Why do I have a desire toward sexually compulsive behavior when I am in a committed relationship?

  • Is my compulsive sexual activity affecting my relationships, work, family life or finances?

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My clients often come to therapy feeling down, worried or doing things that cause more problems than benefits. Often they may find the things they watch or do are not sitting right with their own values and it starts to cause feelings that are not welcome or they want to change.

 

After working together, they feel happier, more content with life and relationships and find themselves able to stop unhelpful behaviours. Whilst it isn’t as simple as just stopping pornography or finding ways to help quitting pornography, exploring what drives the compulsive sexual activity can help quit pornography and sexual acting out that is causing you distress. If you are ready to start, book a free consultation here.

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You can stop unwanted sex or porn addiction and compulsive sexual activity.

 

You can prevent things getting worse and start making the changes you really want.

 

You can find out how to stop watching porn and change compulsive sexual activity.

What is addiction?*

Firstly, let’s look at addiction in general. Addiction is commonly linked to difficulty coping with life generally or events that have happened. We struggle to deal with thoughts or feelings so try to find ways to get relief from these negative aspects of life.

 

Addictions can happen in many ways such as using substances like food, sugar, drugs or alcohol or behaviours like relationships, exercise or shopping. The substance or behaviour is used as a coping mechanism to avoid the difficult emotions and unresolved issues. Initially it offers a form of escape that helps avoid the problems that haven’t been dealt with.

 

Addiction occurs when a person finds themselves unable to stop engaging in a behaviour, even though they are experiencing negative consequences and want to quit. Ultimately, addiction can be devastating and end up becoming a problem in itself.

 

Repeating the same behaviours repeatedly leads to more negative feelings and consequences and further driving the desire to block them out. It is then possible to become a slave to substance or behaviour rather than its master.

What is Sex Addiction?*

Sex is a natural and important part of adult life, and without it, humanity wouldn’t continue. However, if your relationship with sex is causing you concern, it could indicate a deeper problem or sex addiction.

Worried about sexually compulsive behavior because you are:

  • Maintaining profiles on dating websites despite being in an exclusive relationship

  • Maintaining multiple sexual relationships secretly, even when in a committed partnership

  • Frequently visiting massage parlours or escorts

  • Using online chat lines excessively

  • Spending excessive time or money subscribing to paid fan websites.

  • Engaging in sexual behaviour or activity that isn't in line with your own values or truths that may lead to thoughts or feelings of guilt after as things have gone too far?

​If you answered “yes” to any of these and find that your sexual compulsive behaviour is troubling you, it may be time to seek help.

What is Pornography Addiction?*

For some, watching porn daily is considered normal, while for others, it isn’t. The key issue lies in your relationship with pornography and whether it’s negatively impacting your life. If you wonder how to stop thinking of porn or need to quit pornography it may be time to look at getting in touch.

 

Porn addiction is rarely discussed openly, but it is a rapidly growing issue. Few adults would willingly admit they have a problem with porn. Despite the silence surrounding it, pornography addiction is an increasing concern. With ease of access to pornography via the internet, there is an ever-increasing availability of different types of porn at the click of a button. It is then easy to look for something new to bring a new sense of satisfaction and reach the same level of pleasure. This can lead us to looking at ever increasingly new things to try and get the same buzz or sense of excitement.

Why is This an Issue?

Neuroplasticity, which refers to the brain’s ability to change and adapt. Watching porn can alter the way we think and behave. Our brains are wired to seek pleasure, and when we experience something enjoyable, our brain craves more of it. One key neurotransmitter involved in this process is dopamine. While dopamine seeks out pleasure, it quickly becomes bored and continually looks for greater stimulation. If you’re finding it difficult to stop watching porn, this could signal you want to get help to stop.

The Impact of Pornography Addiction

Dopamine is often linked to feelings of anxiety and depression. When someone is struggling with these mental health challenges, they may turn to pornography to escape their reality and numb emotional pain.

 

However, using sex or porn as a form of escapism often leads to other negative consequences, such as guilt, shame, and self-loathing. It can also create conflict in relationships, sometimes even resulting in breakups. Additionally, excessive porn consumption may be linked to erectile dysfunction (ED). Perhaps what started out as seemingly harmless has progressed toward the types of porn you no longer enjoy watching life bad dad porn, rough porn or bad porn that leaves you with post nut clarity and wanting to make some change for you.

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*Whilst there is a lot of discussion and disagreement about whether sex and porn are addictive, in the same way as alcohol or substances, many clients identify with the behaviour and compulsion and liken it to an addiction. This is an active and important debate within the therapy field, including voices, who argue that the terms “sex addiction” and “porn addiction” are unethical and clinically unhelpful.

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These views are respected and taken seriously here. At the same time, many people who seek support use this language because it reflects how distressing and overwhelming their behaviour feels. These terms are therefore used as a starting point for conversation rather than as a diagnosis. Therapy with me is always grounded in each person’s lived experience, respecting GSRD. It isn't about judgment, telling you what is right or wrong, good or bad. It is about understanding what and how your values and truths may be impacted and helping you make the changes you desire.*

Man standing on top of mountain feeling happy

There is a Solution:

Counselling for Porn Addiction and Sex Addiction Therapy

If you have decided now is the time to stop watching bad porn or want to change your compulsive sexual activity, therapy provides a safe, non-judgemental space to explore what’s driving these patterns and help you develop healthier, more balanced ways of coping that suit you according to your values.

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