The Porn Trap summary

When we refer to porn, we’re talking about any explicit material that is used as a sexual outlet. It could be images, video, audio or written word. That means it’s pretty variable between people. Maybe the question we should ask isn’t “What is porn?”, but “What does porn do?”

Simply put, porn stimulates the sexual organs of the user through visual or audio input. It turns you on. That seems straightforward, but let's look closer at the physiology of that reaction in the context of addiction. 

As we’ve just seen, addiction to porn is a chemical experience as well as a sensory one. People who are addicted to porn find that the habit is difficult to identify, difficult to acknowledge and difficult to break. 

Let’s look at some of the major consequences that sex therapists observe as a relationship with porn becomes a full addiction. 

Porn doesn’t just shift your priorities, but also your perspective on the world. Many porn users report what researchers call “pornifying” non-sexual aspects of their lives. They might fantasize about people that they see every day, and find that they can’t switch off sexual thoughts.

When Marie’s addiction was at its worst, she found herself sexualizing everyone she met in real life. Even in church, she caught herself wondering what practitioners would look like in sexual situations. These thoughts were automatic, and happened no matter how inappropriate. 

Some people use porn casually, and never have a problem. Some people are drawn into the porn trap and struggle to escape. The difference between these two groups can be as simple as access to porn, the user's image of themselves, their emotional relationships or the security they feel in their sexuality. 

Luckily, there are things that porn addicts can do to take back control of their lives. 

If you suspect that your relationship with porn is detrimental to your life, remember that help is out there. By following the six-step method, Wendy and Larry Maltz have helped hundreds of addicts to cut porn out and get their lives back. 

The important thing to remember is that change has to come from within. When the pressure to quit is coming from someone else, efforts to quit often fail. An addict has to want to change, no matter how painful the situation is for the people who care about them.