Pornography addictions: Women are just as likely
Pornography can be very addicting as has been shown by much research. In fact, pornography is known to produce more Internet traffic than anything else online and has been newly termed as the new cocaine. Researchers have actually seen changes in the brains of self-described porn addicts that are similar to those seen in drug addicts. For some, it becomes so addictive that it becomes obsessive, even problematic. Many associate pornography addictions with men, however, recent research indicates that women are just as likely to have a problem with pornography addiction.
Pornography addiction is a behavioral addiction. Symptoms are similar to those of a drug addict. Individuals addicted to pornography constantly think about viewing porn in spite of negative consequences. Although it may ruin, interfere with, or cause an individual to be unable to form relationships, individuals addicted to pornography continue to view it. Also similar to drug addicts, pornography addicts experience withdrawal when they can’t get their fix.
Rightstep.com reports that, “Much research into pornography addiction has been focused on men. Historically, men have been the main demographic using this type of media. With the rise of ubiquitous Internet porn and erotica, however, women have jumped on the bandwagon. More women are using porn than ever before, and more are suffering from the negative consequences of becoming hooked on it. While some can use it in a healthy way, just as with men, others develop an addiction.
How men and women get hooked on porn is similar. They start using porn for pleasure, for escape, or to relax when feeling anxious or stressed. With time, they become desensitized to the images and need more and more pornography, often with more hardcore themes, in order to be satisfied. And then they are hooked. The pattern of addiction is the same for men and women, but experts who treat them report that women feel much guiltier about their porn use.”
Many professionals have been reporting that there is an increase in women asking for porn addiction treatment in recent years. Society has continued to disbelieve this and cling to the knowledge that porn addiction is a male disease. Recently, however, in August 2014, a study was reported in the journal Cyber psychology, Behavior and Social Networking in relation to females and pornography addiction. In this study, more than 100 women, half of whom viewed Internet porn, were shown pornographic images and reported their reactions. Professor Matthias Brand of Duisburg-Essen University (head of the research team in Germany) reports, “Results indicated internet porn users rated pornographic pictures as more arousing and reported greater craving due to pornographic picture presentation compared with non-users. Brand said, “Moreover, craving, sexual arousal rating of pictures, sensitivity to sexual excitation, problematic sexual behavior and severity of psychological symptoms predicted tendencies toward cybersex addiction in internet porn users.”
These new findings prove what so many women have been attempting to convince many of for so long: that women are equally as likely to become addicted to viewing pornography. And, further, once that addiction forms, the behavioral patterns between both men and women pornography addicts are very similar. These findings suggest that new approaches may be necessary for treating women addicted to pornography addiction, knowing that the consequences are as severe as those for men.