Am I Experiencing Porn Addiction Withdrawal?

Okay, so you’ve finally cut the cord — to your laptop, that is. Congratulations on recognizing that you have a problem with pornography! What’s that? Are you not feeling so great? 

Well, you’re certainly not alone. Many people who try to quit watching porn cold turkey feel less like themselves. Is this some sort of withdrawal? Is it something else altogether? 

The answer is a bit complicated, so bear with us. Let’s talk about porn addiction, sex addiction, withdrawal, and everything in between.

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What Qualifies as Porn Addiction?

You might be surprised to know that this is a touchy subject. Many mental health professionals do not view pornography addiction as a valid addiction. 

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) does not officially recognize porn addiction as a diagnosis. However, the desire to view porn compulsively can still create very legitimate problems for those who feel that urge. 

Because porn addiction is not a recognized diagnosis, it can be tricky to know when the person is truly addicted or is going through something else altogether. There’s no way for therapists or other mental health professionals to make an “official” diagnosis.

In this article, we will discuss the differences between an addiction and a compulsion, how to recognize when porn viewing has become problematic, discuss treatment options, and figure out whether or not you are indeed experiencing addiction-level withdrawals. 

What’s the Difference Between a Compulsion and an Addiction?

The jury may still be out on whether or not a problematic relationship with pornography is an addiction, but we can certainly talk about addiction versus compulsion.

To understand these two categories, we will want to examine what they have in common and how they differ. 

Compulsion

The term compulsion is rather narrowly defined. It describes an intense urge, usually to do something or consume something. Sometimes this urge can lead to a behavior that is sometimes (but not always) undesired.

It’s important to note that compulsions can play a role in addiction. As the addiction starts to take hold of a person, it’s often that feeling of compulsion that makes a person continue with the behavior or consumption, even if they don’t want to keep doing it.

Addiction

Unlike the compulsion definition, addiction is a pretty broadly defined concept. This word explains the process of dependency; in other words, how someone becomes dependent on a substance or behavior. 

This is why experts are hesitant to label pornography addiction as an addiction. Many do not believe that the compulsion to view pornography is a dependency; they just feel it is an urge. 

What Are Porn Addiction Withdrawals, and Am I Experiencing Them?

Withdrawal is a serious condition and should not be treated lightly. When it comes to certain substances, withdrawal can present a very real physical danger. Remember, addiction is complex and far-reaching. 

Though the APA doesn’t officially recognize porn addiction, many experts believe that repetitive viewing of pornographic materials and exposure to different types of pornographic material can lead to a behavioral addiction.

The Pornography Dopamine Hit 

Like many other activities or substances, pornography and sexual activity can release brain chemicals that make you happy: dopamine. 

Dopamine makes you feel great, and who doesn’t want to feel great? When we get this dopamine hit simply from watching pornography, we train our brains to understand that we can easily get this feeling simply from watching porn.

Normally, dopamine only occurs in the brain when something positive happens: you win a race, you get an A on an assignment, you nail a presentation at work, or you save enough money to buy a new car. 

However, when you get that same amount of dopamine by just opening up an app and spending some time staring at a screen, you are training your brain to get that dopamine — and get it the easiest way possible. 

No longer is it necessary to run that race, write that paper, achieve success at work, or save money. You just need to have access to the internet.

When the Dopamine Disappears

The real problem is when the person tries to stop the behavior. After a while, we get used to those little hits of dopamine. This is why someone who wouldn’t necessarily call themselves an alcoholic might still feel a little unhappy if they miss their evening glass of wine.

We get used to our comforts, not just because they’re comfortable. If we are getting a big dopamine hit, there is another brain chemical called dynorphin that is working to balance out the euphoria. 

So what happens when you are used to getting a whole lot of dopamine at one time, and then you suddenly stop getting it? Your brain didn’t get the message to stop balancing out the dopamine, so the dynorphin is still operating at full speed ahead. Your brain is now feeling out of balance, which leads to withdrawal.

What Are the Symptoms of Porn Withdrawal?

Given the information above, it seems that porn withdrawal truly is real, albeit perhaps not as uncomfortable as physical substance withdrawal. Some symptoms go along with this withdrawal, including:

• Increased feelings of stress and anxiety 
• Insomnia, especially if you were resorting to watching porn to fall asleep
• Irritability and frustration
• Depression
• Intense cravings for watching more porn
• Sexual aggression
• Loss of libido
• Panic attacks
• Feelings of loneliness

Whether or not the entire medical community can come to a consensus about the reality of porn addiction, we can see that stopping a porn habit can have some hard side effects.

So the real question is: how bad is porn? You may be reading this and wondering if stopping is even worth it. 

Heck, there are support groups for those with sex and porn addictions. Couldn’t you just attend the groups and keep doing what you’re doing? Well, there are some very good reasons to get a grip on your habit. 

Is Pornography Bad for Me?

Okay, let’s look at the facts. One: you have recognized you have a problematic pornography habit. Two: you try to stop but think you might be going through withdrawals. Three: you realize withdrawal could be very real, so you’re thinking, “This isn’t killing me; I’m not doing drugs or drinking alcohol, so what’s the harm?”

We hate to disappoint you, but there is harm. For some people, watching porn can be completely harmless. 

But if you’re here and you’ve read this far, you’re probably not “some people.” Here are some of the negative side effects of watching too much porn:

• Lowered interest in sex
• Relationship problems
• Difficulty orgasming 
• Altered sense of reality and realistic sexual expectations
• Tolerance of abnormal sexual interactions and encounters
• Erectile dysfunction
• Less interest in your partner

How Can I Cope With Porn Withdrawal Symptoms?

Quitting something you enjoy is always difficult. This is especially true of something addictive with negative consequences when stopped. We have some great tips to help you get the help you need and quit as comfortably as possible. 

Get Support From Loved Ones

We get it — it’s awkward. But you truly can’t do this alone. Find someone you love and care about to talk to about this problem. You might be surprised to find that they don’t judge you at all and might even be able to relate to what you’re going through.

Keep Busy

You know what they say about idle hands. Well, when it comes to pornography viewing, that adage is especially apropos. Find other things to do: start a new hobby, go out for coffee, start taking walks, whatever it takes not to be sitting around at home.

Identify Your Triggers

Do you always tend to look at porn while lying in bed at night? A simple solution is to keep your phone across the room, so you are less tempted. 

Do you watch when you are feeling kind of down? Find something to replace your habit. If you’re feeling the urge, have a list of things you can do besides watching porn. It might feel a little cheesy and ineffective at first, but eventually, you will retrain your brain.

Find a Support Group

We mentioned support groups before, but their effectiveness and helpfulness cannot be overstated. Addictions, in general, carry shame and guilt, and it can be an enormous relief to talk to others who know what you’re going through. 

Nowadays, there are local in-person and online support groups where more anonymity is possible if that’s important to you. You don’t have to feel the awkward pressure of sitting in a room of people you’ve never met. 

Make Some Environmental Changes

You may need to make some big changes to change your porn habits. You could get a new phone or a different laptop cover to change your triggers. While this may seem excessive (and certainly expensive), it can sometimes be a person's last push to make a change. 

Putting porn-blocking software on your devices is less expensive than buying a new phone. Remember, it’s not that you lack self-control. Pornography is designed to be addictive, so don’t blame yourself if you need extreme measures to stop. Make sure that you don't have the passwords to these blockers. If you know how to get through them, they won't be effective.

Get a Good Therapist

Honestly, everyone should be in therapy. We all benefit from talking about our feelings to an unbiased, uninvolved party. Look for a therapist who is receptive to helping you with your pornography problems, but beware of anyone saying they specialize in porn addiction. 

Because it is not an APA-recognized illness, finding a specialist shouldn’t be the goal. However, finding a therapist who specializes in compulsive behavior is doable.

Medication

Some have found success with medication typically used for anxiety or depression. Addiction and mental health go hand in hand, and it’s rare for addiction to exist without other mental health issues. 

As we said before, dopamine plays a major role here. If your mental health is suffering, it may be easier to seek out those feel-good chemicals elsewhere.

Conclusion

Whether your struggles with porn are addictive or compulsive, it’s obvious that porn withdrawal is very real. 

You can improve your life by keeping busy, finding a good support group, getting a therapist, and altering your lifestyle. You’ve got this, and at Relay, we can help. 

Sources:

Behavioral Addiction versus Substance Addiction: Correspondence of Psychiatric and Psychological Views | National Library of Medicine

Everything You Need to Know About Pornography 'Addiction' | Healthline

Porn Addiction Withdrawal: Symptoms and Recovery Guide | GoodRx