Addiction comes in many forms, though many people think of alcohol and drugs before considering pornography. Unlike most drugs and alcohol, pornography is available for free online and accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The habit can seem cheap but it has expensive consequences, and for many, porn is a drug in how it rewires the brain and drives compulsive behavior.
Brain Chemistry
A reward pathway exists in the brain which rewards a person when something positive happens. If an individual wins an award, the reward center records the experience to remember the good feelings associated with winning. Chemicals are released in the brain including dopamine and oxytocin which help people feel pleasure and bond to others. Motivation to achieve things that create happiness starts with this chemical release.
Drugs, alcohol, and any other addiction hijack the reward pathway to trigger good feelings when the substance is used. Pornography has the same impact on brain chemistry, which is why many experts now ask, is porn a drug? The addictive cycle works similarly to substance abuse, as porn is a drug that manipulates dopamine levels to create a false sense of reward. Over time, this can lead to a strong dependency that mirrors chemical addiction.
Dangers
Over time, the brain is at risk for burning out its reward pathway due to consistently elevated levels of dopamine and oxytocin. More pornography is required to feel the same release due to the brain working to protect the pathway from overloading. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when a person tries to cut back on viewing pornography.
This is why some people attempt quitting porn cold turkey, but the process can be intense and emotionally draining. Increasingly, pornography has become more shocking, full of surprises with increased levels of violence which increase a dopamine surge in the brain. The endless variety of pornography guarantees a person can see a new image when the high fades, keeping dopamine levels elevated for hours, even days at a time, much like with substance addiction.
Seeking Help
An individual who watches pornography repeatedly will, over the course of time, risk developing an addiction. As with any other drug or substance, the brain and body can experience withdrawal symptoms when a person tries to stop watching pornography. The challenge for a person who quits porn addiction cold turkey is to face the mental and physical symptoms without relapse.
A person can experience a psychological and physical toll from quitting pornography which may take some time to go away. However, help is available. Therapeutic support is one avenue, but a person may also consider consulting with other community support groups that guide individuals through porn addiction cold turkey recovery methods.
Spiritual support persons such as pastors and other counselors can be helpful in giving a person tools necessary to recover from pornography addiction. Having the support of friends, family, and loved ones is also an important part of the recovery journey, which starts with first admitting a problem exists and then seeking help to move forward.
Pornography addiction is serious and can affect a person’s ability to live, work, and function optimally. Whether you are struggling with compulsive behavior or thinking about quitting porn cold turkey, know that you’re not alone. If you or a loved one are experiencing difficulty with quitting pornography, contact The Villa for support. We are here to help you on the journey to recovery. 1-818-639-7160
