ONLINE PORN ADDICTION

The popular new movie Don Jon has opened to excellent reviews.  The movie is about a strong, sexy, good old fashioned guy named Jon Martello (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)  His buddies call him Don Jon due to his ability to "pull" a different woman every weekend.  But even the finest fling doesn't compare to the love he finds alone in front of a computer--online pornography.

[youtube height="315" width="560"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuPXDuqicmo[/youtube]

 

Despite the lightheartedness of the film, it's story line underscores a growing epidemic in our society.  Approximately 1 in 8 Americans suffer from internet addiction, the most common form being addiction cyber-sex and cyber-porn.  The addiction is defined as a compulsive urge to seek out, view, and masturbate to online pornographic imagery.  These urges are uncontrollable and often impede on a persons ability and desire to seek out, establish, and nurture "real life" connections with other individuals.

THE INTERNET'S ROLE

Cyber-sex and cyber-porn addiction can be attributed to the widespread availability of sexually graphic imagery and content via the world wide web and is responsible for a 60% increase in new cases of online sexual compulsivity.  This is due to the perfect venue the internet provides to anonymously engage in exhibition/voyeurism, engage in sexually explicit and elicit activity and conversations via chat rooms, and sell/trade pornographic photos, videos and other material.

WHO'S BECOMING ADDICTED AND WHY

More and more men who've never had a history of addiction, visiting strip clubs, and/or renting adult videos report becoming addicted to online sex.  A recent study showed that over 60% of recovering online sex addicts are reported to fall under that category.  So how is it that these types of men nevertheless fall prey to the underworld of online sex?

The internet provides users with the opportunity to dabble in chat rooms and download pornography from the privacy of their own home, office, or mobile phone.  They use the anonymity of the internet to explore hidden or repressed sexual fantasies.  The pleasure received from exploring these fantasies can be quite thrilling and intoxicating.  As a result, the behavior gets reinforced.  As the addiction grows, the user becomes more and more preoccupied with using the internet for sexual purposes.

MODERATION IS KEY

Those addicted with online pornography find it extremely easy to deny their addiction and sweep the problem under the rug.  The internet provides the addict with a safe haven to sexually act out without hurting anyone.  The online sex community reinforces the notion that addiction to online porn isn't just normal, but that's it actually to be expected.  It is never normal to allow one particular aspect of your personality to take over your entire life.  Moderation is key. The issue isn't whether you do it, but the extent to how much time and effort you put towards doing it.  As with everything enjoyable in life, moderation is key.  One can't fully appreciate the positive feelings associated with indulging in any particular activity without also experiencing the negative feelings inflicted by it's absence.

 

If you or someone you love is struggling with internet addiction, visit www.netaddiction.com for help, information, and resources.