How do I know if I’m a porn addict?

Here is a list of ten possible warning signs of porn addiction. These have been put together by Dr. Patrick Carnes, one of the world’s leading experts in sex and porn addiction. Here are some questions to ask yourself if you think you may have a problem with porn addiction.

• Have you tried to stop or set limits on your porn behavior and found that you were unsuccessful?
• Have you found yourself engaging in the behavior longer than you intended or to a greater extent?
• Have you tried to resist looking at porn and found that you can’t?
• Have you spent an unreasonable amount of time-consuming porn or recovering from these experiences, like lack of sleep or missing work obligations?
• Have you engaged in porn despite having other obligations such as work, marriage, or child care?
• Have you continued looking at porn despite knowing the consequences to work, family, and yourself?
• Have you had to give up social, occupational, or recreational activities to engage in porn?
• Do you find yourself being preoccupied with porn or preparing for viewing porn?

If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, you might want to look further at your behavior.

Why do I need porn addiction treatment? Can I do this on my own?

The short answer is no, most likely not. For some internet porn is fundamentally changing the way your brain relates to sex. The brain becomes “hijacked” by the addictive behavior. It becomes difficult to stop without the right tools and professional support. Most people quit for a short time but then return to the same routine, but now with more significant consequences, like the loss of a relationship or marriage.