Pornography addiction
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Pornography addiction is a form of sexual addiction defined by its proponents as a condition resulting from the overuse or abuse of pornography.[1] It is not mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
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[edit] General definition
Pornography addiction could be defined as a psychological addiction to, or dependence upon, pornography, theoretically characterized by obsessive viewing, reading, and thinking about pornography and sexual themes to the detriment of other areas of one's life.[citation needed]
[edit] Pornography addiction according to Irons and Schneider
Formal criteria have been suggested along lines strictly analogous to the DSM criteria for alcohol and other substance addictions.[2] This article cites Goodman (1990), who compared the DSM criteria lists for various addictive disorders and derived these general characteristics:
- Recurrent failure to resist impulses to engage in a specified behavior
- Increasing sense of tension immediately prior to initiating the behavior
- Pleasure or relief at the time of engaging in the behavior
- At least five of the following:
- Frequent preoccupation with the behavior or with activity that is preparatory to the behavior
- Frequent engaging in the behavior to a greater extent or over a longer period than intended
- Repeated efforts to reduce, control, or stop the behavior
- A great deal of time spent in activities necessary for the behavior, engaging in the behavior, or recovering from its effects
- Frequent engaging in the behavior when expected to fulfill occupational, academic, domestic or social obligations
- Important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced because of the behavior
- Continuation of the behavior despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent social, financial, psychological, or physical problem that is caused or exacerbated by the behavior
- Tolerance: need to increase the intensity or frequency of the behavior in order to achieve the desired effect, or diminished effect with continued behavior of the same intensity
- Restlessness or irritability if unable to engage in the behavior
- Some symptoms of the disturbance have persisted for at least one month, or have occurred repeatedly over a longer period of time
These criteria can be applied to almost any behavior, and would seem to characterize an excessive and uncontrollable involvement regardless of the particular behavior. They thus provide one possible definition of pornography addiction. Some critics say, though, that these criteria could apply equally well to many activities, for example an amateur musician might fulfill many of these criteria but would generally be regarded as an hobbyist, enthusiast, or at worst obsessive. Few would declare him an "addict".
[edit] Online pornography addiction
Online pornography addiction involves pornography obtained via the Internet. Psychologists who support this concept argue that it is stronger, and more addictive, than ordinary pornography addiction because of its wide availability, explicitness, and the privacy that online viewing offers. In order to satisfy their addiction, addicts are said to regularly spend extended periods of time searching the internet for new or increasingly hardcore pornography.[1]
[edit] Use of content control and monitoring
Some clinicians and support organizations recommend using voluntary content control mechanisms (also known as "Internet filters" and "censorware"), internet monitoring, or both as a tool in the treatment of purportedly excessive online pornography use.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] [10]
Sex researcher Alvin Cooper and colleagues suggested several reasons for using filters as a therapeutic measure, including curbing accessibility that facilitates problematic behavior and encouraging clients to develop coping and relapse prevention strategies.[3] Cognitive therapist Mary Anne Layden suggested that filters may be useful in maintaining environmental control.[7] Internet behavior researcher David Delmonico noted that, despite their limitations, filters may serve as a "frontline of protection."[4]
Filters that target pornography have been included in computer operating systems such as Linux and are sold as stand-alone applications and devices such as Integard, Optenet PC, Netmop, SmartFilter, and BeSafeOnline. Some Internet service providers such as Integrity Online and OpenDNS provide content control as a network service.
[edit] Skeptics of Addiction
There is some dispute about whether pornography addiction actually exists, and if so, whether it has harmful effects. One popular argument against this form of addiction is that many people regularly watch pornography and still lead productive lives. Critics argue that people who regularly view pornography are able to have normal relationships and are not desensitized to less stimulating materials.
[edit] See also
- Anti-pornography movement
- Celibacy
- Compulsive gambling
- Internet addiction disorder
- Philosophy of sex
- Sexual addiction
- Sexual ethics
- Craving
[edit] References
- ^ a b Downs, Martin F.; Louise Chang, MD (reviewer) (2005-08-30). Is Pornography Addictive? Psychologists debate whether people can have an addiction to pornography.. WebMD. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
- ^ See http://www.jenniferschneider.com/articles/diagnos.html this article] (online copy of Richard Irons, M. D. and Jennifer P. Schneider, M.D., Ph. D "Differential Diagnosis of Addictive Sexual Disorders Using the DSM-IV." In Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity 1996, Volume 3, pp 7-21, 1996)
- ^ a b Cooper, Alvin; Putnam, Dana E., Planchon, Lynn A., & Boies, Sylvain C. (1999). "Online Sexual Compulsivity: Getting Tangled in the Net". Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention 6 (2): 79-104.
- ^ a b Delmonico, D.L. (1997). "Cybersex: High Tech Sex Addiction". Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention 4 (2): 159-167.
- ^ AAMFT Consumer Update - Sexual Addiction. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Retrieved on 2007-06-10.
- ^ Corley, M. Deborah, Ph.D. (Winter 2002). "Cybersex Addiction" (PDF). Paradigm: 12, 22.
- ^ a b Layden, Mary Anne, Ph.D. (September 2005). "Cyber Sex Addiction" (PDF). Advances in Cognitive Therapy: 1-2, 4-5.
- ^ Bissette, David C., Psy.D. (February 2004). Choosing an Internet Filter (PDF). Retrieved on 2007-06-10.
- ^ Recovery Resources. Recovery Path Counselling Services. Retrieved on 2007-06-10.
- ^ " Evangelicals Are Addicted To Porn. ChristiaNet.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
[edit] External links
- People who feel victimized by porn: Let's give them sympathy, not a Congressional hearing by sex therapist Marty Klein, Ph. D.
- Statement of Daniel Linz, Ph.D. on The Science Behind Pornography Addiction
- Old Temptation and the Internet Pornography
- http://www.pornaddicthubby.com/index.html Relationship Rescue for Wives and Girlfriends of Men with Internet Porn Addictions.
- http://www.freedombeginshere.org DVD and Journal Resources for overcoming pornography addiction.
- Pornography Addiction Statistics - A study of pornography addictions as evidenced in internet searches.
- http://www.ThroughTheFlame.org - The free online support community for Porn Addiction.
