Diagnosising Porn Addiction
You might know someone who has every symptom of porn addiction just as you might know someone who has every symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, but this information is meaningless without the diagnosis from a professional. The path to porn addiction treatment begins with a thorough evaluation from a mental health or addiction expert.
Diagnosis is challenging since symptoms and signs of addiction are often unclear, but a porn addiction diagnosis is especially complex since porn addiction is not currently an approved mental health diagnosis. Because of this, mental health experts will have to examine the symptoms and arrive at an appropriate diagnosis.
Possible diagnosable conditions include:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- An impulse control disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Another addiction
Currently, gambling is the only repetitive behavior that can be officially diagnosed as an addiction. This recent advancement is significant because it opens the door to other addictions like online gaming and porn to be added in the future.
With porn addiction not currently an active diagnosis, tracking statistics becomes complicated, but experts know:
- 40 million adults in the U.S. view pornography on a regular basis
- 20 percent of all internet searches involve porn
- 33 percent of people viewing pornography are women
- 20 percent of men admit to watching porn while at work
Barriers to Porn Addiction Treatment
Unfortunately, many people resist and reject treatment for porn addiction due to high levels of shame and guilt associated with the condition. People fear judgment, criticism, and hostility from others based on their porn-related behaviors.
Much of this fear is realistic as porn viewing and porn addictions continue to be highly stigmatized. Certain people may assume that you are of poor moral quality if you have an addiction to porn. In some ways, it might be more comfortable for people to disclose an addiction to heroin than an addiction to porn.
Just because porn addiction is not currently a formalized diagnosis and there is the risk of judgment from other should not stop anyone from seeking or attending treatment. If porn addiction is having a negative influence on your life or the lives of your loved ones, seeking treatment for porn addiction can be the best decision.
Porn Addiction Treatment Options
The options for porn addiction treatment follow similar treatments for other addictions including alcohol and other drugs. The treatment always starts with a full assessment by a professional.
Evaluations can occur at your primary care physician’s (PCP’s) office, a mental health treatment facility, or an addiction treatment center. If you are uncomfortable with these options, you may want to call a national hotline like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
During this evaluation, the expert will ask many questions related to:
- How long you have been watching porn?
- How frequently and intensely you watch porn?
- What you get out of watching porn – happiness, escape, etc.?
- How do others respond to your porn use?
- Negative mental health or physical health effects of porn.
- Current stressors and supports in your life.
Based on this evaluation, the professional will recommend a level of treatment that best meets your needs. The levels of treatment are numerous and include:
Inpatient/ Residential Porn Addiction Treatment.
Inpatient or residential treatments are all services provided to someone while they are living at the treatment facility. Inpatient/ residential setting require the person to leave their home and reduce contact with the outside world to focus exclusively on their recovery.
Inpatient settings may closely resemble hospitals, and residential treatments will appear homier and more comfortable. These intense services can last anywhere from a few days to many months, depending on the needs and symptoms of the individual.
Outpatient Porn Addiction Treatment
People with less intense symptoms or too many requirements at home may be appropriate for outpatient porn addiction treatments. Any treatment that allows patients to live and sleep at home while attending some scheduled professional treatments are referred to as outpatient.
Outpatient treatments can vary greatly with intense forms involving up to 30 hours per week and less intense forms including only one hour of treatment per month. Outpatient options are especially beneficial for people with strong social networks.
The best part about treatments for porn addiction is not having to choose just one form. Frequently, people will enter an inpatient facility at the beginning of treatment before stepping down to an outpatient setting for follow up care.
At this time, there are no medications specifically designed to assist in recovery from porn addiction, but people may benefit from antidepressants or antianxiety medications to improve qualities which indirectly affect addiction. Scheduling an appointment to discuss medication options with a psychiatrist is a great way to start the process.
Finding Support for Porn Addiction
Outside of professional treatment, there are many options for people struggling with porn addiction. One option is to seek out a support group where people with similar addictions meet to discuss the condition and its impact on their lives.
These groups might be limited in your area, but many options for support groups exist online. A quick internet search might be all you need to connect to others with knowledge and advice to move your life forward.
The Bottom Line...
Pornography might not be a problem for everyone, but it might cause a problem in your life. If you are suffering from the impact of addiction, take the needed steps to find treatment for yourself or your loved one.
