Is Porn Addiction a Real Thing?

My colleague Joshua Grubbs and I published some research earlier this year on the intersection of religion and addiction to pornography that sparked a big reaction.

Here’s what we found:

First, more religious individuals were more likely to report zero pornography use over the past 6 months than less religious individuals.

Second, among individuals who reported at least some pornography use in the past 6 months, there were no differences in amount of pornography use between individuals who were more religious vs. individuals who were less religious.

Third, controlling for actual time spent viewing pornography, religion was positively associated with viewing oneself as addicted to pornography, and this relationship was mediated by moral disapproval of pornography. In other words, people who were more religious were more likely to morally disapprove of pornography, and in turn they were more likely to view themselves as being addicted to pornography.

So what does this all mean?

For starters, highly religious individuals who view pornography might have a tendency to think they are addicted when they really aren’t. Consider this scenario: a religious married man is taught in church that pornography is wrong and harmful to his marriage. However, despite his efforts to stop, he still views pornography a couple times per month, much to his own (and his wife’s) dismay. He thinks he’s addicted because he can’t completely stop.

What do you think? Is the guy addicted?

Most psychologists would say no. The man might be doing something he doesn’t want to do, but he isn’t addicted in the same way that someone might be addicted to drugs or alcohol.

So is the whole concept of addiction to pornography a bunch of baloney? Probably not. In my research, I have engaged with folks who have recurrent and intense sexual behavior associated with using pornography that looks a lot like an addiction. These individuals spend an excessive amount of time pursuing pornography; use pornography in response to feeling depressed, anxious, and stressed; have tried to cut down or stop but can’t; and engage in pornography while disregarding harm for self or others. For these individuals, the pornography is causing significant distress, and is interfering with their functioning.

But I think it’s important to differentiate individuals who are truly addicted from individuals who are incorrectly labeling their behavior as an addiction. Our research has shown this might be especially prevalent for religious individuals, who face strong moralized messages about the negative effects of pornography on their emotional, spiritual, and relational well-being. For these folks, viewing any amount of pornography may seem like too much, and the label of an addiction can be compelling.

Discussion: What do you think of the concept of pornography addiction? Do you think it is a legitimate disorder? Or is it a term that people have hijacked to further shame sexual expression?