Simply put, an individual has a problem when he tell himself that he is not going to look at pornography anymore and then finds himself doing it anyway. Pornography addicts return to thinking about, planning for and participating in secret behaviors that take priority over other healthy and important activities. The following list may help individuals in deciding if help would be beneficial:
- Feelings that the ability to stop viewing pornography is out of their control
- Recurring patterns of “stop-start” behavior with frequent or consistent relapses
- Continued pornography use despite possible adverse consequences and losses including time, money, job, education, marriage and family relationships
- Escalation of behavior including increased time spent viewing pornography, the need for increased stimulation and viewing or participating in harsher and more graphic forms of pornography
- History of lies, secrecy, deception and living a double life in order to maintain the appearance of normality while participating in the viewing of pornography and other sexual behaviors
- Feelings of guilt, shame, and low self-worth related to one’s sexual behavior