Understanding
Sex & Pornography Addiction
Understanding compulsive sexual behaviours and their impact on mental health and relationships
Understanding
Sex & Pornography Addiction
Understanding compulsive sexual behaviours and their impact on mental health and relationships
Understanding
Sex & Pornography Addiction
Understanding compulsive sexual behaviours and their impact on mental health and relationships
What does sex & pornography addiction feel like?
Living with sex and pornography addiction means experiencing a loss of control over sexual behaviours that continues despite negative consequences to relationships, work, or personal wellbeing. The compulsive nature creates a cycle where temporary relief or pleasure is followed by shame, guilt, and promises to stop, only to find yourself engaging in the same behaviours again. This pattern often escalates over time, requiring more extreme content or risky behaviours to achieve the same satisfaction, whilst creating increasing isolation from genuine intimacy.
The experience involves feeling trapped between intense urges and the knowledge that these behaviours are damaging important areas of life. Many people describe feeling like they're leading a double life, managing shame and secrecy whilst struggling with intrusive thoughts and compulsions that interfere with daily functioning, relationships, and self-respect.
Common Symptoms
Inability to control sexual thoughts or behaviours despite consequences
Escalating use of pornography or engaging in risky sexual behaviours
Significant time spent on sexual activities interfering with responsibilities
Continued behaviour despite relationship problems or personal distress
Feelings of shame, guilt, or depression following sexual activities
Secrecy and lying about sexual behaviours to partners or family
Failed attempts to reduce or stop sexual behaviours
What does sex & pornography addiction feel like?
Living with sex and pornography addiction means experiencing a loss of control over sexual behaviours that continues despite negative consequences to relationships, work, or personal wellbeing. The compulsive nature creates a cycle where temporary relief or pleasure is followed by shame, guilt, and promises to stop, only to find yourself engaging in the same behaviours again. This pattern often escalates over time, requiring more extreme content or risky behaviours to achieve the same satisfaction, whilst creating increasing isolation from genuine intimacy.
The experience involves feeling trapped between intense urges and the knowledge that these behaviours are damaging important areas of life. Many people describe feeling like they're leading a double life, managing shame and secrecy whilst struggling with intrusive thoughts and compulsions that interfere with daily functioning, relationships, and self-respect.
Common Symptoms
Inability to control sexual thoughts or behaviours despite consequences
Escalating use of pornography or engaging in risky sexual behaviours
Significant time spent on sexual activities interfering with responsibilities
Continued behaviour despite relationship problems or personal distress
Feelings of shame, guilt, or depression following sexual activities
Secrecy and lying about sexual behaviours to partners or family
Failed attempts to reduce or stop sexual behaviours
What does sex & pornography addiction feel like?
Living with sex and pornography addiction means experiencing a loss of control over sexual behaviours that continues despite negative consequences to relationships, work, or personal wellbeing. The compulsive nature creates a cycle where temporary relief or pleasure is followed by shame, guilt, and promises to stop, only to find yourself engaging in the same behaviours again. This pattern often escalates over time, requiring more extreme content or risky behaviours to achieve the same satisfaction, whilst creating increasing isolation from genuine intimacy.
The experience involves feeling trapped between intense urges and the knowledge that these behaviours are damaging important areas of life. Many people describe feeling like they're leading a double life, managing shame and secrecy whilst struggling with intrusive thoughts and compulsions that interfere with daily functioning, relationships, and self-respect.
Common Symptoms
Inability to control sexual thoughts or behaviours despite consequences
Escalating use of pornography or engaging in risky sexual behaviours
Significant time spent on sexual activities interfering with responsibilities
Continued behaviour despite relationship problems or personal distress
Feelings of shame, guilt, or depression following sexual activities
Secrecy and lying about sexual behaviours to partners or family
Failed attempts to reduce or stop sexual behaviours
History of Sex & Pornography Addiction
From moral failing to recognised behavioural addiction requiring treatment
1980s
Early research begins examining compulsive sexual behaviour, with professionals debating whether sexual addiction follows similar patterns to substance addictions
1990s-2000s
Development of therapeutic approaches for sexual addiction, with increased recognition of the role of trauma, shame, and underlying mental health issues in compulsive sexual behaviours
2010s
Digital age creates unprecedented access to pornography, leading to increased research into internet-based sexual addiction and its neurobiological effects on the brain
Present
Modern understanding recognises sex and pornography addiction as serious behavioural addictions, with evidence-based treatments combining therapy, support groups, and sometimes medication for underlying conditions
History of Sex & Pornography Addiction
From moral failing to recognised behavioural addiction requiring treatment
1980s
Early research begins examining compulsive sexual behaviour, with professionals debating whether sexual addiction follows similar patterns to substance addictions
1990s-2000s
Development of therapeutic approaches for sexual addiction, with increased recognition of the role of trauma, shame, and underlying mental health issues in compulsive sexual behaviours
2010s
Digital age creates unprecedented access to pornography, leading to increased research into internet-based sexual addiction and its neurobiological effects on the brain
Present
Modern understanding recognises sex and pornography addiction as serious behavioural addictions, with evidence-based treatments combining therapy, support groups, and sometimes medication for underlying conditions
History of Sex & Pornography Addiction
From moral failing to recognised behavioural addiction requiring treatment
1980s
Early research begins examining compulsive sexual behaviour, with professionals debating whether sexual addiction follows similar patterns to substance addictions
1990s-2000s
Development of therapeutic approaches for sexual addiction, with increased recognition of the role of trauma, shame, and underlying mental health issues in compulsive sexual behaviours
2010s
Digital age creates unprecedented access to pornography, leading to increased research into internet-based sexual addiction and its neurobiological effects on the brain
Present
Modern understanding recognises sex and pornography addiction as serious behavioural addictions, with evidence-based treatments combining therapy, support groups, and sometimes medication for underlying conditions
Take our free self-test
Take our free self-test
Take a short self-test to see if counselling might make a difference.
Take a short self-test to see if counselling might make a difference.
Instructions
Answer the questions based on the last few weeks. Choose the option that fits best. You’ll see your results at the end.
This short self-test explores whether therapy could be helpful for you right now. It isn’t a diagnosis, but it can help you decide next steps.
Instructions
Answer the questions based on the last few weeks. Choose the option that fits best. You’ll see your results at the end.
This short self-test explores whether therapy could be helpful for you right now. It isn’t a diagnosis, but it can help you decide next steps.
Instructions
Answer the questions based on the last few weeks. Choose the option that fits best. You’ll see your results at the end.
This short self-test explores whether therapy could be helpful for you right now. It isn’t a diagnosis, but it can help you decide next steps.
How therapy can help
Therapy for sex and pornography addiction uses specialised approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy, and trauma-informed treatment to address underlying triggers and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Treatment focuses on understanding the function these behaviours serve, often addressing underlying shame, trauma, or mental health conditions whilst developing practical strategies for managing urges and building genuine intimacy. Many therapists incorporate elements of addiction treatment, helping individuals develop relapse prevention plans and healthy boundaries.
Treatment emphasises healing shame, developing emotional regulation skills, and rebuilding trust in relationships affected by addictive behaviours. Many people find significant improvement within months of beginning specialised therapy, particularly when combined with support groups and a commitment to transparency and accountability in their recovery process.
Benefits of Therapy
Understanding triggers and underlying emotional needs
Developing healthy coping strategies for stress and difficult emotions
Building genuine intimacy and communication skills
Addressing underlying trauma or mental health conditions
Creating accountability systems and relapse prevention plans
Healing shame and developing self-compassion
Rebuilding trust and repairing damaged relationships
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding sexual addiction and the path to recovery
Is sex and pornography addiction a real addiction?
How do I know if my behaviour has crossed into addiction?
Can relationships recover from sexual addiction?
What about pornography addiction specifically - is it different?
How therapy can help
Therapy for sex and pornography addiction uses specialised approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy, and trauma-informed treatment to address underlying triggers and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Treatment focuses on understanding the function these behaviours serve, often addressing underlying shame, trauma, or mental health conditions whilst developing practical strategies for managing urges and building genuine intimacy. Many therapists incorporate elements of addiction treatment, helping individuals develop relapse prevention plans and healthy boundaries.
Treatment emphasises healing shame, developing emotional regulation skills, and rebuilding trust in relationships affected by addictive behaviours. Many people find significant improvement within months of beginning specialised therapy, particularly when combined with support groups and a commitment to transparency and accountability in their recovery process.
Benefits of Therapy
Understanding triggers and underlying emotional needs
Developing healthy coping strategies for stress and difficult emotions
Building genuine intimacy and communication skills
Addressing underlying trauma or mental health conditions
Creating accountability systems and relapse prevention plans
Healing shame and developing self-compassion
Rebuilding trust and repairing damaged relationships
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding sexual addiction and the path to recovery
Is sex and pornography addiction a real addiction?
How do I know if my behaviour has crossed into addiction?
Can relationships recover from sexual addiction?
What about pornography addiction specifically - is it different?
How therapy can help
Therapy for sex and pornography addiction uses specialised approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy, and trauma-informed treatment to address underlying triggers and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Treatment focuses on understanding the function these behaviours serve, often addressing underlying shame, trauma, or mental health conditions whilst developing practical strategies for managing urges and building genuine intimacy. Many therapists incorporate elements of addiction treatment, helping individuals develop relapse prevention plans and healthy boundaries.
Treatment emphasises healing shame, developing emotional regulation skills, and rebuilding trust in relationships affected by addictive behaviours. Many people find significant improvement within months of beginning specialised therapy, particularly when combined with support groups and a commitment to transparency and accountability in their recovery process.
Benefits of Therapy
Understanding triggers and underlying emotional needs
Developing healthy coping strategies for stress and difficult emotions
Building genuine intimacy and communication skills
Addressing underlying trauma or mental health conditions
Creating accountability systems and relapse prevention plans
Healing shame and developing self-compassion
Rebuilding trust and repairing damaged relationships
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding sexual addiction and the path to recovery
Is sex and pornography addiction a real addiction?
How do I know if my behaviour has crossed into addiction?
Can relationships recover from sexual addiction?
What about pornography addiction specifically - is it different?
Meet our Therapists
Meet our Therapists
Meet our specialists who can help guide your recovery
