Pornography Addiction and Treatment

What is Pornography Addiction?

Pornography addiction is an obsession with viewing pornography and an umbrella construct that includes various disorders and addictions that meet its broad definition, such as frequent masturbation. This condition causes marked distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

However, distress entirely related to moral judgments and disapproval about sexual impulses, urges, or behaviours is insufficient to meet the requirements of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) diagnostic manual.

Compulsive porn use may share many signs and symptoms that are similar to that of pornography addiction. What differentiates porn addiction from a vested interest in porn is that individuals with porn addiction experience a lack of self-control in addition to the urge that drives them to consume such content repetitively, manifested over an extended period (e.g., six months or more). Individuals addicted to porn also tend to spend excessive amounts of time consuming pornographic material at high costs to other domains of their lives.

The self-defeating behaviour arising from this addiction often results in other troubles, such as depression, loneliness, and relationship issues. However, individuals struggling with pornography addiction may not necessarily identify their addiction as the underlying reason for these issues. Consequently, they may seek prolonged treatment for these woes without discussing their obsessive porn use. Individuals with pornography addiction in Singapore may also be reluctant to seek help due to social stigma, causing their core issue to remain untreated.

What Contributes to the Rise of Pornography Addiction?

The Rise of the Cybersex Industry

This has exponentially increased the incidences of porn addiction. With technological advancements, anybody (including minors) can easily access sexually graphic material on multiple devices. Sex chat rooms, dating and hook-up apps enable people to find willing partners for sexual encounters. Instant and constant gratifications help feed into porn addiction. The increasing objectification of persons in porn further changes how we perceive sex, relationships, and intimacy.

Online Anonymity

With features like incognito mode, the internet can provide a shield of anonymity for persons indulging in unusual, harmful, or illegal sexual content.

Social Stigma and Cultural Norms That Hinder One from Seeking Help or Treatment

Such behaviour disorders can cause a sense of shame and embarrassment. This is compounded by the (false) public view that pornography addiction is a prelude to sex offending. Therefore, these factors may deter individuals in Singapore from seeking help or treatment. It is important to keep in mind that porn addicts are not synonymous with sex offenders, and sex offenders may or may not have a pornography addiction.

Signs and Symptoms of a Pornography Addiction

‘Sex’ here includes any activity done to achieve an orgasm or sexual pleasure.

  • Finding it difficult to stop viewing pornography even if your behaviour is risky or reckless.
  • Unable to reduce the amount of porn material you consume and/or consume with increasingly explicit content.
  • Having your pre-occupation with pornography interfere with your work and/or education.
  • Your pre-occupation with pornography has made sex less fulfilling.
  • Neglecting important responsibilities/relationships due to your pornography addiction.
  • Watching pornography has become the most important thing in your life, and you lose interest in everything else.
  • Viewing pornography even when you do not enjoy it.
  • Experience frustration or shame following porn use but keep up with the behaviour.
  • Spending large amounts of money on porn material at the expense of necessities.
  • Experience anger at being advised to reduce porn consumption, seek help, or undergo treatment for your behaviour.

Indicators of Additional Risk of Porn Addiction

  • Depression/isolation
  • Self-harm
  • Other addictions – alcohol or substance use
  • Illegal activities/sex-offending activities

How Do Visions Make an Assessment for Pornography Addiction?

If you’re uncertain whether you have a pornography addiction, Visions by Promises can help. We provide a meticulously designed assessment to deeply understand your relationship with porn and its impact on your well-being.

Initial Assessment

Your journey with us begins with a comprehensive initial assessment diving deep into psychological, emotional, and behavioural facets. This full-spectrum biological, psychological, social, and spiritual screening evaluates your engagement with porn, uncovering patterns, triggers and the onset of the addiction.

By identifying underlying conditions, we tailor the most suitable treatment and detoxification approach, ensuring an effective recovery path, all within a confidential setting. If other areas of concern outside our expertise, such as alcohol abuse, are identified, we may refer you to other programmes we offer, like the alcohol addiction rehab. Alternatively, referrals to specialists who can offer more targeted help may be provided.

Interview

Depending on the severity of the pornography addiction and its impact on relationships, you and your partner may be interviewed separately or together. This approach gives us a holistic view of how the addiction affects both parties involved and how this can be mitigated in subsequent treatments.

Aftercare Services at Visions by Promises

Recovery from porn addiction is a continuous journey. To help you ensure long-term sobriety and prevent relapse, Visions by Promises offers aftercare services, equipping you and your partner with coping strategies for future challenges. We emphasise building and utilising support systems within and beyond our facility, connecting you to external community resources so you are never alone in your journey.

Process for Those Seeking Pornography Addiction Help and Treatment

1. Initial Contact with Visions by Promises

Begin your journey towards recovering from porn addiction by reaching out to the dedicated team at Visions by Promises. This enables us to schedule a visit to evaluate your condition and help you understand the options available.

2. The Intake Assessment (Usually a One-hour Session)

On your first visit, our clinician will start with a thorough one-hour evaluation. Depending on the state of your pornography addiction, you and your partner may be interviewed separately or together. After the assessment, the therapist will outline the recommended treatments.

3. First Stage of Recovery (First 2 Months) – Personalised Therapy Session

Following the intake assessment, the first stage of recovery involves 6 sessions for each party. These sessions explore the gravity of pornography addiction. Treatments will then address underlying and additional risk factors, with referrals as appropriate.

Couples will undergo 3 sessions to address the shared and individual challenges brought on by the addiction. This couple therapy acknowledges the emotional trauma caused by the discovery of porn addiction and emphasises the crucial role partners play in the recovery journey. It aims to stabilise the individual, the partner and, where relevant, the children while preparing for the next stage of the couple’s treatment.

4. Second Stage of Recovery (3rd Month) – Long-Term Support

You and your partner will collaborate with your respective therapists to brace for future challenges and end the secretive, active pornography addiction stage. A recovery plan will also be addressed. Discussions will focus on anticipating and preparing for potential slips and relapses in the future. This is achieved through learning coping skills and building the necessary support systems to provide you and your partner with long-term support outside treatment.

5. Programmes After Rehab

Post-rehab, Visions by Promises also offers aftercare programmes to ensure a sustained recovery. This includes the Discovery Group to equip individuals with the skills for lifelong resilience and the Visions Family Programme, which addresses porn addiction’s impact on families.

Embarking on this structured and comprehensive path ensures that individuals are not only treated but also receive help to maintain their addiction-free lifestyle beyond their time at the facility. Reach out to our team today to book an appointment or request more information.

Meet our Pornography Addiction Specialists

Dr Sandor Heng

Senior Clinical Psychologist

  • Sandor Heng specialises in Substance Use Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, Gambling Disorder, Other Addictive Disorders, Co-occurring Disorders and Individual & Group Therapy.
  • His accreditations include: DPsych Clinical, AHPRA Clinical Psychologist, AHPRA-approved Supervisor (Clinical Psychology), CSAC, CGAC.
  • With experience in inpatient and outpatient settings alongside treatment modalities from Australia to Singapore, his diverse expertise equips him with the versatility to customise care for each individual’s pornography addiction, reflecting their unique challenges.

Dr Andrew Da Roza

Certified Sex Addiction Therapist & Psychotherapist, Visions

  • Andrew da Roza specialises in Sex Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation, Love Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation, Pornography Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation, Substance Addiction and Anger Management.
  • His accreditations include: M.Couns (Monash), MSc (Addictions), MBA, LLM, LLB, Certified Substance Abuse Therapist, Substance Abuse Counsellor, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist.
  • He is skilled in employing a blend of motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, and cognitive behavioural techniques. Supported by over 25 years of experience as a lawyer, his diverse background further deepens his grasp of the complexities clients face, enabling him to address problems with a nuanced approach.

Dr Andy Leach

Principal Addictions Therapist & Director, Visions

  • Andy Leach specialises in Substance Use Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, Group Therapy & Individual Therapy, Gaming Disorder, Gambling Disorder and Families affected by Addiction.
  • His accreditations include: M.A. Couns. Psych. (Bath Spa, UK), CMAT, AP:AP (UK), APACS & ACA, Accredited Practitioner (Level 4S) Association of Psychotherapists & Counsellors (Singapore) APACS.
  • With over 15 years of experience and established in his field, he has been featured on platforms like BBC and CNA. Besides clinical work, Andy collaborates with charities to help addicts and their families, offering deep insights into porn addiction for holistic support.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pornography Addiction Treatment and Rehab Programmes in Singapore

1. How does pornography affect the mind?

Exposure to porn can cause the secretion of excessively high levels of dopamine that causes individuals to experience immense pleasure. Over time, the brain develops tolerance and becomes unresponsive to natural sources of joy, setting the stage for sexual dysfunction. This may result in relationship issues and spur individuals with pornography addiction to seek more explicit porn material to experience the same excitement. Without professional help or treatment, these issues stemming from pornography addiction tend to persist.

2. How do I cope without porn?

There are several ways for individuals with pornography addiction to learn to cope without porn:

  • Finding a new hobby: Engaging in activities you enjoy can keep you preoccupied and prevent you from seeking out porn. You can start by trying out new activities or see if you can revive your interest in old hobbies. Physical activities such as sports may be a good place to start as it keeps you away from the screen, which reduces the accessibility of porn materials.
  • Seek professional treatment or join a support group: A great weakness of individuals with pornography addiction is the lack of self-control. However, involving another party increases your accountability and reduces the likelihood that you will revert to your old practices. For individuals considering group support, Visions by Promises offers an Intensive Outpatient Programme, which combines the help offered by both a therapist and peers.

3. How does pornography cause dopamine addiction?

Pornography results in an overstimulation of dopamine, causing individuals to experience a rush of excitement. With prolonged exposure to an excessive amount of dopamine, individuals’ bodies develop tolerance and experience less pleasure from the same stimulus. As a result, individuals cannot help but experience a greater need to watch porn to recreate the same feelings of pleasure, resulting in dopamine and porn addiction.

4. What role does the partner of a pornography addict play in the recovery process?

The partner of a pornography addict serves as an essential pillar during recovery. Their involvement can reinforce accountability, and by attending treatments, they can understand addiction dynamics and learn skills to help their partner prevent a relapse. Above all, their emotional support helps rebuild trust, and their commitment to navigating challenges together fosters a deeper, renewed intimacy in the relationship.

5. What kind of support systems does Visions by Promises help build for long-term recovery?

Visions by Promises builds robust support systems for long-term recovery from diverse addiction concerns. This includes group therapies and individual counselling. But beyond focusing on porn addicts, we also help their partners cope with the trauma of the addiction through the STAR Partners Support Group and support individuals in addressing other addictions through services like sex addiction rehab and love addiction treatment.

Come Visit

#11-15/16, Novena Medical Center, 10 Sinaran Drive,
Singapore 307608