Recovery Articles

The Mainstream Figures Out That Porn is Bad for You

by scottwoodtherapy

It is encouraging that noting the dangers and the addictive nature of porn use has become increasingly mainstream.

GQ magazine published an article on “10 Reasons Why You Should Quit Watching Porn.”  http://www.gq.com/story/10-reasons-why-you-should-quit-watching-porn

They aren’t the same top 10 reasons I would give you, but, hey, these are still good reasons.  In short, porn greatly reduces your opportunity for healthy satisfying sex and relationships.  If you want to have a great sex life and good relationships, step 1: quit watching porn.

Meanwhile, the Utah house of representatives passed a resolution declaring porn a “public health crisis.”  This is not a bill (not passing a new law), but a public statement about the nature of the problem. “The resolution also cites research that shows pornography lowers self-worth, leads to unhealthy views of sex and relationships, increases the odds of infidelity, and is a major cause of divorce.”  http://fightthenewdrug.org/state-of-utah-makes-history-declares-pornography-a-public-health-crisis/

Let’s take a different angle on it.  The women who are shrieking with apparent ecstacy are not as willing participants as they seem.  Here is an article about the abuse and trauma these women suffer, “Multiple Pornstars Speak Out About The Reality of The Pornography Industry!”  http://castimonia.org/2013/08/15/multiple-pornstars-speak-out-about-the-reality-of-the-pornography-industry/

Actor Terry Crews has also been vocal about the damaging effects of porn use.  http://fightthenewdrug.org/why-actor-terry-crews-wants-people-to-stop-watching-porn/  Crews commented on quitting porn to get his life back.  When I work with sex addicts, I frequently point out that recovery is not about stopping a behavior, but about reclaiming your life.

You may note with these sources, that there is not a lot of moralizing about porn.  One could certainly cite many moral objections.  These sources are about the real damage to lives that happen because of compulsive porn use.

This life of fantasy is just that: fantasy.  It isn’t real.  It keeps you from the joy of the real thing.  If you believe that you can stop, but choose not to (typical of the mind of the addict), try stopping for a month.  You can find some tools on https://www.nofap.com/.  There is also a Sexual Addiction Screening Test available at http://www.recoveryzone.com/.   If you really can’t stop, get some help.  You can locate a certified sexual addiction therapist in your area at http://www.iitap.com/therapists-directory-search/ .  Help is available.  Your life will be better for it.