I changed the original language to reflect our struggles with sexual purity or sexual addiction. This may help clarify, to some, that this really is an addiction.
Dependence occurs at a more advanced stage of the addiction process. Doctors make a diagnosis of addiction if three or more of the following features are present.
+ A strong desire or sense of compulsion to view pornography or engage in compulsive sexual behavior.
+ Difficulties controlling the viewing of pornography or compulsive sexual behavior in terms of when it occurs, and or being able to stop, and or being unable to control the amount consumed once started.
+ A physically unpleasant withdrawal state when not viewing pornography or engaging in compulsive sexual behavior.
+ Further pornography use or engagement in compulsive sexual behavior to relieve or avoid the withdrawal state.
+ Evidence of increased tolerance (increased amount of pornography use or engagement in riskier compulsive sexual behaviors are required in order to achieve effects originally produced by lower doses).
+ Progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests because of the use of pornography or sexual behaviors.
+ Persisting with pornography use or compulsive sexual behaviors despite clear evidence of harmful consequences.
+ Narrowing of a person’s ‘personal repertoire’ or lifestyle – i.e. viewing pornography or engaging in compulsive sexual behaviors becomes more important than anything else.
By Dr. Ciaran Mulholland http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/menshealth/facts/addiction.htm
“If you’re an addict, it controls your life and your life becomes uncontrollable. It’s boring and painful, filling your system with something that makes you stare at your shoes for six hours.” – James Taylor