Like drug addiction, porn addiction is an excessive use of pornography that affects a person's every day activities. Currently there is no condition like this listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders.

According to the Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity Journal of Treatment and Prevention (1996) an addiction should fall under several characteristics. The most obvious is being unable to resist the impulse to engage in a specified behavior. So if one is unable to resist viewing pornography, then it is an addiction. Once the impulse is fulfilled, pleasure or relief is experienced upon engaging in the behavior.

Signs of Porn Addiction

If the person exhibits at least five of these criteria with regards to pornography, then it can be considered an addiction:

• Engaging in the behavior over a period longer than needed or to greater than the usual extent
• Frequent preoccupation with the use of pornography
• Engaging in the act during time that should be spent for daily responsibilities such as work, school, or social activities
• Giving up other hobbies or important responsibilities just to engage in the behavior
• An increased frequency of engaging in the act just to experience the pleasure or preferred effect
• Being restless after not engaging in the act

If you know someone who is addicted to porn, it is important to be dedicated to this person's overcoming of the addiction.

How Insight can Help

At Insight Psychological, our qualified therapists in Edmonton and Calgary can work alongside and independently of traditional 12 step and private recovery programs. We are also available for telephone and Skype Counselling Canada wide.

Insight's Counsellors that can help: