{"id":171,"date":"2019-07-31T05:01:35","date_gmt":"2019-07-31T11:01:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blsandbox1.wpengine.com\/?p=171"},"modified":"2019-07-31T11:02:55","modified_gmt":"2019-07-31T17:02:55","slug":"how-to-help-someone-addicted-to-porn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifestartherapy.com\/how-to-help-someone-addicted-to-porn\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Help Someone Addicted To Porn"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"The hardest part of any journey is often the beginning. This is certainly true when it comes to the journey of making change\u2014especially a change that involves\u00a0overcoming an addiction<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no secret that entrenched habits can be difficult to deal with. In trying to help people understand how habits form,\u00a0Psychology Today<\/i>\u00a0explains<\/a>, \u201cOld habits are hard to break and new habits are hard to form. That\u2019s because the behavioral patterns we repeat most often are literally etched in our neural pathways.\u201d This neural etching can lead from behavior to addiction, and when behavior turns to addiction, change becomes even harder.<\/p>\n

As you can see, habitual behaviors, such as compulsive pornography use, come as a result of a chemical process. Each time you engage in the behavior, you are going down a pathway in your brain. Like a footpath, the more you walk on it, the more defined it becomes\u2014making it the path of least resistance.<\/p>\n

When learning how to help someone addicted to porn, it is important that you understand how an addiction is formed. It\u2019s essential that, if you want to know how to help a porn addict, you know why and how addictions start so that you can approach the situation with kindness.<\/p>\n

If you notice these behaviors in a loved one, consider how best to approach them. If you suspect your loved one is trapped in porn addiction, take action sooner than later.
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How to Approach Your Loved One<\/h3>\n

\"\"You may be\u00a0hurt by your loved one\u2019s addiction<\/a>\u2014and you are certainly allowed to be. But in order to talk to them\u00a0about pornography addiction<\/a>\u00a0counseling and learn how to help someone who is addicted to porn, you need to consider your approach carefully.<\/p>\n

One of the most important things in\u00a0overcoming an addiction<\/a>\u00a0is a solid support group, and that can include you. When you approach or are approached about an addiction, remember that kindness, compassion, and understanding should always come first. You will do far more damage than good if you do not approach the situation in a loving way.<\/p>\n

If you want to know how to help someone with a porn addiction, the following are a few vital dos and don\u2019ts that will help you navigate the situation.<\/p>\n

3 Things to Avoid<\/strong>\"\"<\/h3>\n

When you approach your loved one about pornography addiction counseling, avoid:<\/p>\n

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  1. Condemnation.\u00a0<\/b>Do not say that you would never have hurt your loved one the way they have hurt you\u2014this is certainly not how to help someone addicted to porn. Try and put yourself in their shoes and understand how difficult addiction is and how brave it is for them to reach out.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Remember that none of us is immune from developing addictive behaviors that can be harmful to ourselves or others, and practice patience.<\/p>\n

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    1. Guilt-mongering or humiliation.\u00a0<\/b>When it comes to how to help a porn addict, guilt and humiliation are never the way to go. The person battling the addiction probably already feels an intense amount of guilt and will not respond well to humiliation or being made to feel guilty.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      In fact, this may cause your loved one to continue to deny their problem and resent you. Your job is never to make your loved one feel worse; rather, you should be doing everything in your power to be a positive, encouraging influence.<\/p>\n

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      1. Making threats<\/b>.. Giving your loved one an ultimatum or outlining the consequences you will execute will only lead to a lack of trust. They will also be less likely to want help. You can and should set boundaries, especially if you are in an intimate relationship with someone who is addicted to porn, but threats are not part of healthy boundaries.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Don\u2019t sugar coat your feelings, but don\u2019t be overly harsh. Honesty without thought and tact is cruelty. You may feel the desire to make an ultimatum, hoping it will cause pain or ignite change, but threats do more harm than good and can permanently damage a relationship.<\/p>\n

        Other things you should avoid:\"\"<\/b><\/p>\n