Recovery from Porn Addiction

Recovery from Porn Addiction

Like most addictions, porn addiction does not merely affect an individual’s body and behaviour. Changes in an individuals body and behaviour are often indicative of the effect it has on an individual’s cerebral cortex, more specifically an individual’s frontal lobe. This article serves to highlight the neurological damage that is done to those that are in the grip of this addiction.

The collective cerebral dysfunction brought on by addiction is referred to as hypo frontal syndrome and those with porn addiction exhibit these specific dysfunctions in the form of various impairments in their executive functioning. All addictions create, in addition to chemical changes in the brain, anatomical and pathological changes which result in various manifestations of cerebral dysfunction collectively labeled hypofrontal syndromes. Individuals with porn addiction often behave impulsively and compulsively in the face of this addiction, this compulsion is often triggered by irregular amounts of dopamine produced in the brains of porn addicts.

The overabundance of excitement and calming feelings that are associated with dopamine secretion in the brain gradually impair the individual’s ability to regulate their decisions associated with their feelings and behaviour. This is indicative of porn addictions causing damage in an individual’s dopaminergic synapse systems, resulting in an individual’s decline in their ability to regulate their perception of reward and consequences in association with this addiction.

Due to the elevated levels of dopamine produced in the case of porn addiction, addicts minds are in a state of disequilibrium. This causes porn addicts to gradually place their use of pornography above everything, even going as far as compromising their overall well-being to stimulate a feeling associated with happiness.

A pathological effect of this is that it causes individuals to become dependent on pornography to relieve themselves of feelings associated with anxiety and depression. These feelings become more abundant due to the damage caused to an individual’s dopaminergic synapse system. As the brains and bodies of those in the grip of porn addiction descend into further disequilibrium it reinforces the addictive cycle.

Part of the Cure or Part of the Disease

Recovery from porn addiction often covers the very same areas that are affected by the addiction itself, however since porn addiction produces so much more dopamine in the brain than many other behaviours or substances, the withdrawal process is often what pulls many backs into its grip.

The withdrawal from porn addiction is thus the major challenge that many who have this disease face as it takes on many different shapes and forms all of which signify the long-term effects on an individual’s body, and cerebral cortex.

Porn addiction is considered a process or behavioural addiction, this acts to the benefit of those in the grip of this addiction. Their behavior permits them to have a direct reference for their actions and the feelings that they produce. Thus, making it possible to establish which specific behaviours centred around their addiction cause them immediate or gradual distress.

Once an individual is aware of this, it becomes possible to rebuild their ability to regulate themselves, enhancing the capacity for executive functioning. Coupled with various activities to help bolster an individual’s self-esteem, sense of self-determination and identity, which are often lost in addiction- holistic recovery is enabled. These life skills help porn addicts or sex addicts actively regulate their brain chemistry through action until such a time as their brains achieve equilibrium.

If you or a loved one needs assistance with an addiction to pornography – know that help is readily available. The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best possible care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s only a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment.

Stories of Recovery

• The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
  Oliver VG
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• On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
  Johan B
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• I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
  Carla S
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• "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
  Angelique J
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