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Sacrifice Chirisa Mental Health Matters
Porn addiction is considered a behavioural addiction that is characterised by an ever-growing compulsion to view pornographic content or material.

In the past, a person suffering from an addiction to pornography would primarily satisfy his or her craving for pornographic content by viewing or storing pornographic videos, magazines, and photos.

Now, the tools available to feed a porn addiction have since evolved thanks to the Internet and other technologies, allowing anonymous access to unlimited pornography at all levels of explicitness.

In addition to the Internet, a range of others means, such as social media and smartphones, enable porn addiction by providing an outlet to view pornography anywhere and at any time. These devices allow you to store and view porn in higher volumes than ever before while leaving little or no visible physical evidence of your porn use. Several studies estimate that international rates of consumption of porn can range from 50 percent to 99 percent of men and 30 percent to 86 percent of women.

Warning signs and symptoms of a porn addiction may include:

Being unable to stop using porn or stop engaging in the behaviours associated with porn, despite repeated attempts to do so. Approximately 9 percent of viewers reported that they had made unsuccessful attempts to stop.

Experiencing cravings to view porn. Much like substance users report feeling strong urges to use drugs; porn addicts can experience strong urges to view porn.

Becoming angry, hostile, or irritable when asked to stop using porn. Porn addicts may deny their porn viewing or be upset when loved ones request that they stop.

Keeping all or part of one’s porn use secret from loved ones. Porn addiction has been shown to lead to increased secrecy in relationships.

Feeling as though one is living a double or secret life because of porn use. A person with a porn addiction may feel guilty or ashamed and work hard to hide his or her porn viewing from others.

Continuing to view porn despite negative consequences, such as broken relationships or a job loss. Relationships where one partner is addicted to porn can lead to a reduction in intimacy, emotional distance, reduced sexual satisfaction, and an overall poorer quality of relationship. Being unable to abstain from porn during work hours can lead to disciplinary action or even job loss.

Losing track of large chunks of time due to being absorbed in porn use. Porn addicts may spend much of the day viewing pornography. This can lead to porn becoming a priority, with everything else set aside in favour of viewing porn.

Requiring increasing amounts or more explicit porn to gain the same satisfaction or thrill, similar to the development of a tolerance.

Porn addiction treatment and recovery is a must to address the addiction, but it must also work toward changing patterns of behaviour and thoughts that contribute to a porn addiction, and developing relapse prevention skills. The first step in getting help is admitting that you have a problem, followed by finding a professional (psychiatrist) who is experienced in treating porn addiction and is aware of the most effective treatment methods, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with rehabilitation.

It is possible to come out of porn. Yes it is difficult but possible.

Dr Sacrifice Chirisa is a passionate mental health specialist at Parirenyatwa Hospital, one of the major referral centres in the country.