Porn Addiction Therapy
Is your pornography addiction impacting your life in more ways than one?
You may wonder:
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am I a porn addict?
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what are the symptoms of porn addiction?
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what does it look like to recover from porn addiction?
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can porn be used in a healthy way?
● Has your pornography use become a source of shame, guilt, and embarrassment?
● Have you tried to stop but find yourself unable to resist the urge to use pornography?
● Has your pornography use caused problems in your relationships, work, or personal life?
● Do you feel like you are the only one struggling with this addiction?
Why is pornography so addictive?
Pornography impacts the reward center of the brain, and produces dopamine that gives the user an instant high. Additionally, the user is able to have sexual desires, urges, and experiences with hundreds of people with the click of a button. Our internal hardware wasn't developed and designed to withstand the constant bombardment of images and videos that one might be exposed to. Porn is anonymous, easily accessible, and in most cases, free.
Pornography addiction can be a lonely and isolating experience, yet it is more common than you think
You may feel like you are the only one struggling with this issue, and the shame and guilt can make it difficult to seek help.
You may have tried to stop on your own, but find yourself unable to resist the urge to use pornography. This can lead to negative consequences in your relationships, work, and personal life. Approximately 9 out 10 men consume pornography on a weekly basis and 25% of the internet's daily searches are for pornography-related material.
It's Not Your Fault, and You're Not Alone
Pornography addiction is a complex issue that can have a range of causes, including trauma, stress, and anxiety. It's important to understand that it's not your fault that you're struggling with this addiction, and you're not alone. With the help of a therapist who specializes in pornography addiction, you can learn how to overcome this addiction and regain control of your life. Pornography addiction typically starts at an early age, with most men reporting viewing pornography before the age of 12.
An addiction to pornography can lead to difficulty in relationships, particularly romantic relationships and one's sex life
Porn can lead to many other challenges, including porn-induced erectile dysfunction, escalation, and high-risk behaviours. It is estimate that 15-20% of men struggling with erectile dysfunction under the age of 40 is related to excessive porn use. Many men also struggle with high-risk sexual behaviour, drug and alcohol abuse, and body image issues as a result of porn consumption.
Pornography Addiction Therapy Can Help You Break Free From Your Addiction
Pornography addiction therapy is a type of therapy that is specifically designed to help people overcome their addiction to pornography. This therapy can help you address the underlying causes of your addiction, develop coping skills to resist urges, and learn how to build healthy relationships. It is important that any porn addiction therapy focus on not only the symptoms, but the root causes of the addiction. In therapy, you'll work with a therapist who understands the challenges of pornography addiction and can help you develop an individualized treatment plan. Your therapist may use a range of
therapeutic techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and motivational interviewing.
CBT can help you identify and change the negative thoughts and behaviors that are contributing to your addiction. Mindfulness can help you develop a greater awareness of your thoughts and feelings, and learn how to manage them in a healthy way. Motivational interviewing can help you build motivation and confidence to overcome your addiction. Boundaries around the use of porn and a promotion of healthy behaviours and habits can lead to increased awareness and a reduction of symptoms.
In therapy, you'll also have the opportunity to connect with others who are struggling with the same issues. This can help you feel less alone in your struggle and provide a supportive community.
How can therapy be helpful with problematic porn use?
Dealing with addiction can be incredibly challenging. Porn addiction, in particular, can be an isolating and stigmatized experience that can have a negative impact on your life and relationships. However, seeking help is an important step towards healing and recovery.
Most people facing addiction avoid discussing their concerns and desires with family, friends, and even one another. This can create a rift in trust and communication, leaving you feeling alone and helpless.
You may have some concerns about doing therapy for porn addiction
We understand that seeking help for porn addiction might lead to concerns around confidentiality and safety. It is important to remember that confidentiality is a major component to therapy and what you share with us stays within session. There are a few exceptions to confidentiality that are discussed and listed prior to starting therapy. We understand and respect that seeking help for this addiction can lead to fears, doubt, and hesitation. Our goal is to provide a safe, non-judgemental space for you to feel secure and comfortable sharing your thoughts, feelings, and actions.
We have experience in helping men overcome their porn addiction
At First Step Men's Therapy, we are dedicated to helping individuals overcome their addiction to porn and improve their lives. We combine our extensive experience in addiction therapy with a compassionate and non-judgmental approach to support you on your journey to recovery. Many of our therapists are trained with the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) Certified Sex Addiction Therapy program, which is a major leader in training and education clinicians on how to treat problematic and compulsive sexual behaviour. There are also many tools, resources, and exercises that can help clients better understand their behavior and develop healthier ways to overcome triggers, cravings, and urges to consume pornography.
What to Expect in Porn Addiction Therapy
In our sessions, we’ll address each individual’s needs, worries, and wishes. We recognize that every person's experience with porn addiction is unique, and we customize our treatment approach to meet your specific needs. Our therapy sessions are designed to help you:
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Identify triggers and develop coping strategies: We work with you to identify the triggers that lead to your porn use and develop coping strategies to manage those triggers.
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Develop self-awareness and self-regulation: We help you develop a greater awareness of your emotions and behaviors and learn how to regulate them in healthy ways.
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Rebuild relationships: Porn addiction can damage relationships with loved ones, including romantic partners, family, and friends. We work with you to develop strategies to rebuild those relationships and establish healthy boundaries.
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Create a new, fulfilling life: Addiction can take over your life, leaving you feeling unfulfilled and unhappy. We help you create a new vision for your life and set goals to achieve that vision.
Is Porn Addiction Therapy Right for Me?
If you are struggling with porn addiction, therapy can be an effective tool to help you overcome your addiction and improve your life. Our therapy is for anyone who is committed to making changes in their life and willing to put in the effort to achieve those changes.
You may have questions about therapy, such as:
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How long does therapy last? The length of therapy can vary depending on your needs and goals. Some people may see progress in a few sessions, while others may need more time. For some, treating the symptoms can take several months while for others, it may h
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Will therapy be expensive? We understand that cost can be a barrier to accessing therapy. We offer various rates to ensure every budget is accommodated and that all can access therapy for porn addiction.
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Will therapy work? Therapy can be incredibly effective in helping people overcome addiction and improve their lives. However, the success of therapy also depends on your commitment to the process.
Will talking about porn addiction make it worse?
Many men who first come to therapy for pornography addiction tell us that even sharing their story and their struggles with porn can be a helpful and relieving experience. For many men, this addiction is often hidden and secretive, thus having a safe, warm, and inviting space without judgement or stigma can help to reduce shame and focus on solving the problem.
Can porn ever be something I can use in a healthy way?
We get this question a lot! For those that are addicted or struggling with sobriety, pornography can be difficult to do in a healthy way. Filled with preoccupation, secrets, shame, and impaired thinking, we work with each client to determine what healthy sexuality looks like and to experience some abstinence before deciding what one's future with pornography might look like.
Should I join a 12-step group, such as Porn Addicts Anonymous?
Good question! With problematic sexual behaviour, shame is often a core component to the addiction. Joining a group such as porn addicts anonymous (PAA) can be a healthy way to learn from others, share your story, be a part of a group, reduce shame, and find heathier ways to cope and relate to others struggling with addictive behaviour. You may find a meeting in your area or online to connect with. Check out our resources page for more information.
Take the First Step Towards Recovery
If you're struggling with pornography addiction, it's important to know that there is hope for recovery. With the help of a therapist who specializes in this area, you can break free from your addiction and regain control of your life. Pornography addiction can lead one struggling not only internally but also with those closest to them, therefore the goal of any treatment is to reduce shame, increase tools and strategies, and develop healthier ways to cope and relate to the world.
Take the first step towards recovery today by reaching out for help. For a free consultation, reach out to us or use the button to book now.