Porn Addiction signs: Do you find yourself making excuses for your secret, compulsive sexual behaviors, thinking that you can stop at any time? You may think that watching porn is not a big deal and that it is not an addiction, because "Everybody does it." So, what exactly is pornography addiction?

Simply put, the loss of control over whether an individual watches pornography, the excessive length of time he/she spends with pornography, and the specific form of pornography he/she consumes is known as Porn addiction.
When viewing pornography, porn addicts often connect that behavior with other compulsive sexual behavior, such as masturbation, sexting, hiring sex workers, and exhibitionism, however, porn use can, in and of itself, be a type of sex addiction.

Generally speaking, a minimum of 2 hours a day is devoted to seeking and viewing pornography by addicts. This search is generally, but not limited to, videos and pictures accessed through their smartphones, computers, and tablets. These daily few hours are a conservative amount. A lot of porn addicts tend to spend 4-6, and even higher amounts of hours on their compulsive behavior.

Individuals who recognize any of the patterns mentioned below in their life (in no particular order), or the life of someone close to them, should seek professional help these are few of porn addiction signs:

1. Even after promising others or self to stop, the behavior continues regardless of consequences
2. Spending exorbitant amount of time (sometimes days and weeks) searching and downloading pornographic material
3. Masturbating to the point of injury (3-25 times per day or week)
4. Persistent pursuit of self-destructive behavior. A common rationalization is, “I’ll deal with the consequences when they happen.”
5. Experiencing intense mood shifts (anxiety/depression) due to shame and despair
6. Neglecting important social, occupational or recreational activities

At San Jose Counseling, Invia A. Betjoseph, LMFT, CSAT is a specialized couple’s counselor. He is well known and respected in the California. As a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), he previously served as Clinical Director of the LifeStar Program offered by the Addiction Recovery Center (ARC).

In addition to individual and couples therapy, he facilitates different level groups for men who struggle with compulsions and addictions of a sexual nature. His private practice, San Jose Counseling, is comprised of individuals who are struggling with sexual addiction, depression, anxiety, self-image, shame and guilt as well as couples who are experiencing emotional stress related to relationship conflict and extra-marital affairs.

He has extensive experience with “Every Man's Battle,” a faith-based, monthly workshop that is part of New Life Ministries that is dedicated to helping men deal with sexual addiction. Dr. Betjoseph has also worked for the Santa Clara County Mental Health as a suicide and crisis counselor.

If you would like to know more about how our Pornography addiction counseling, anxiety disorders, couple and marriage counseling services can help you contact us for more information.