PORN ADDICTION

what is porn & internet sex addiction?

"It was hard! I learned a lot about myself. I came away with hope that [my wife] and I can love each other again. I don't have to fall back into my old way of doing things. I can stay sober for the rest of my life! I actually believe this. I know it won't just happen but if I work at my recovery, it will."  MR, Washington

why is the internet so addicting?

The late Dr. Al Cooper has said there are some people who meet the criteria for diagnosis as sex addicts that would never have become sex addicts were it not for the Internet.  Porn, Internet Sex (Cybersex) Addiction comprises the following:
  • Reading and writing sexually explicit letters and stories
  • Visiting sexually oriented chat rooms
  • Placing ads to meet sexual partners
  • E-mailing to set up personal meetings with someone
  • Engaging in interactive online affairs sometimes using electronic cameras for real-time viewing of each other
  • Sexual fantasy role-play 
  • Sexual games (on-line and CDs)
As technology continues to advance, acting out using the Internet becomes more prevalent. For some sex addicts, cybersex is the primary focus of their sex addiction.

mobile porn

Until recently home or work computers were the primary means used for downloading pornography; however, sex addiction is not as confined as it once was: Fully 20% of current web searches for “adult material” are done on mobile devices as all can download pornography. Considered “mobile porn,” this is pornography that is easily accessed via various devices including:
  • Cell phones
  • The trend is for more and more porn to be downloaded to cell phones. The hope is that the spouse will not find the evidence as on home computer, etc. 
  • iPods/iPads
  • Porn podcasts are common; this is a highly addictive and growing form of sexual acting out.
  • Blackberries, Smart Phones, etc.
  • PDAs
Sexual chat, IMs (instant messages), and e-mails provide a similar “rush”, triggering the neurochemistry.  Cameras are commonplace on mobile devices and contribute to the propensity of “acting out” behavior through swapping selfies and nude videos.

the "triple-a" engine

  • Availability
  • Affordability
  • Anonymity
There are many Internet behaviors that are addicting and troublesome. The Internet is to this generation what the World Book or Encyclopedia Britannica were to the generations who grew up in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Except with the Internet, there are so many more subjects from which to choose, with a seemingly endless supply of material and no censorship.  According to Al Cooper and other researchers, cybersex addicts spend from 15 to 25 hours week or more pursuing sexual material on the internet (Cooper, Delmonico & Burg).

While many companies have been reluctant to deal with the problem of employees' compulsive use of the internet, there is growing evidence that sexually addicted employees spend inordinate amounts of their workday cruising adult websites, significantly reducing their productivity and their effectiveness as a team member. As more research sheds light on the negative effects of employee’s use of the Internet for sexual pursuits, companies will be more inclined to deal with the problem, if for no other reason than because it affects the company’s bottom line. 

who's at risk?

Studies have indicated that males are much more likely to be involved in on-line sexual behavior. However, of the most extreme cybersex users, 40% are women. Specific groups at risk for developing online sexual addictions include homemakers, the unemployed, and students (Cooper, et al.). Anyone with access to a computer or other electronic communication device should bear in mind Cooper’s Triple-A Engine as they log on to the Internet.  In our practice we have also found a significant number of celebrities, physicians, clergy, and senior executives, who struggle with sex addiction.

Currently the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; Fifth Edition) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) does not officially list many forms of sexual behaviors, including those that specifically use the Internet for sexual activity. 

Click here to download Dr. Magness' Report on Cybersex Research Project.
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