It can be hard to know when you have a pornography addiction, and even more difficult to admit you have one. As with any compulsive behavior, it creeps up on you slowly. At first, it starts out as a mere guilty pleasure, a few moments of indulgence.
You don’t even notice the addiction setting in.
Even now, you may not even realize the stronghold pornography already has on you. It’s easier to deny or justify your problem rather than face it. No one likes to think they are no longer in control of their actions.
So how can you clue yourself into the fact that an addiction has developed and is getting the better of you?
If you can identify with one or more of the 9 signs of pornography addiction symptoms below, it may help you recognize that it is time to receive pornography addiction treatment in order to overcome your dependence on pornography and the harm that it brings.
#1) Each time you use pornography you promise yourself that it will be the last time, yet you find yourself doing it over, and over, and over again.
#2) You find it hard to stop thinking about pornography and find yourself spending more and more time viewing pornography.
#3) You spend more money on pornography than you anticipated.
#4) You choose to use pornography over fulfilling commitments with family, friends, and work.
#5) You are unable to stop viewing pornography in spite of devastating consequences such as deep feelings of remorse, relationship difficulties, or taking time from your job.
#6) You find the adrenaline and enjoyment from using pornography subsiding, so you seek pornography or other activities of a more extreme nature to recreate the same level of pleasure and stimulation you formerly felt.
#7) You are scared someone will discover your pornography use.
#8) You feel anxious or angry if you are in a situation where you are unable to use pornography.
#9) All your efforts to lessen or stop using pornography have failed.
This is not a complete list of pornography addiction symptoms. It’s never too soon to receive pornography addiction treatment, even if you do not identify with any of the above.
Pornography addiction treatment is not something to be ashamed of. In fact, striving to rectify your problems and improve your life is something to be exceptionally proud of.