Sex Therapy & Porn Addiction Recovery
Sex addiction is not much unlike other addictions. It involves dependence on maladaptive behaviors to deal with or avoid one’s problems. A cycle of urges, cravings, and acting out of behaviors in a ritualistic manner mimics other addictions as well. Withdrawal symptoms may follow, including depression, promises to change one’s behavior, and even suicidal thoughts.
At Matthew Bruhin & Associates, we provide sex therapy and porn addiction counseling. Our therapies can help get porn use under control and guide one toward normal sexual activity. By helping resolve behavioral addictions, we can also address the insecurity, loneliness, and depression associated with porn addiction. Dr. Bruhin, a certified sex addiction therapist, can apply a variety of proven techniques to help you, your spouse, or loved one recover. Without treatment, the daily use of pornography—which is widely available online—can lead to biological and neurological changes that affect sexual function. Over time, behavioral therapy and healing can restore a normal level of activity and improve one’s relationships and well-being.
Why Seek Porn Addiction Rehab
Sex addiction is a highly stigmatized and misunderstood disorder. Often manifesting as excessive spending on pornography, frequent visits to massage parlors, or extramarital affairs, it may go untreated until someone’s behavior becomes destructive or causes a major loss. Not unlike individuals with alcoholism, a sex addict often comes from a background of familial dysfunction.
Sex addiction researcher Dr. Patrick Carnes found most sex addicts have parents with some form of addiction, with over a third of them also being sex addicts. A small percentage had parents with an eating or gambling disorder. In a different survey he conducted, the majority of sex addicts reported sexual abuse during childhood. However, not all sex and pornography addicts have an abusive history, although coming from a rigid, emotionally disengaged family seems to be a common thread.
Unfavorable views toward sex (the family considers it taboo, disgusting, or dangerous) can instill inaccurate information. As a result, one may eventually turn to self-soothing behaviors for stress relief. If sexual materials, including internet pornography, are presented early on, fragmented relationships and even legal troubles could occur well into adulthood.
Sexual Compulsivity Is On the Rise
In the U.S., sex and pornography addiction has become widespread along with looser family ties and social values. Every second, it is estimated more than 28,000 people are viewing pornography online and over $3,000 is being spent on it. A new pornographic video is being created every 39 minutes. Annually, pornography generates $10 billion to $14 billion in sales.
The normalization of pornography isn’t only feeding an entire industry. It is negatively impacting people with addictive tendencies. Fortunately, pornography addiction help is available in San Diego. Matthew Bruhin & Associates offers outpatient and residential rehabilitation and counseling for individuals, couples, and families, as well as children, adolescents, and teens. In addition, marital counseling is available, as is anxiety and depression therapy.
If you or someone close to you is dealing with sex or porn addiction, call our office at 619-683-3774 to schedule an appointment with our certified sex addiction therapist.