For the most part, consuming pornography for higher levels of sexual excitement, stimulation, and satisfaction is harmless; however, when pornography usage turns into an addiction, it can lead to long-term problems.
Watching pornography triggers a dopamine release in the brain (the body’s “feel-good” chemical). Over time, the brain builds up a tolerance to dopamine release, and individuals require more and more to achieve the same dopamine effect. Generally, individuals who develop a pornography addiction are seeking this high level of dopamine which can often be tied very closely with masturbation addiction as the activities are closely related.
Pornography addiction can have long-term effects and serious consequences in relationships leading to relationship counselling, and impact on self-esteem, work, and overall mental health. Before we delve into the long-term effects of pornography addiction, let’s first understand what pornography addiction really is.
What is pornography addiction?
When a person is addicted to porn, they may experience an intense urge or craving to view more to the point where they are watching pornography too much, and it gets in the way of their everyday life. As with most addictions, a pornography-addicted individual may find it extremely difficult to stop or cut down their consumption.
Individuals addicted to pornography feel consumed by watching pornography so much that they cannot stop, even if it hurts their relationships, work, or mental health. Porn addiction can happen through viewing sexual images, videos, artwork, or reading erotic novels.
Is porn use common?
In Australia, 3% of men and 1% of women strongly agreed that they had a porn addiction in 2019. General pornography use is significantly higher, with an estimated 86% to 96% of men regularly consuming porn, with women’s usage not far behind.
A study by the Journal of Behavioral Addictions found that early exposure to internet pornography increases the likelihood of frequent porn use later in life. Frequent porn use is more common between the ages of 18 and 34 years old and affects men four times more than women.
The rate of porn use among this demographic has been steadily growing over the years. The porn industry experienced a 12.6% annual revenue increase from 2018 to 2023. This rise in pornography consumption can be related to the accessibility, affordability, and anonymity of the internet, where a majority of the population can view pornography.
What can cause porn addiction?
As mentioned, porn consumption is becoming increasingly more common primarily due to ease of access to the internet for all age groups. However, this doesn’t entirely explain why some people develop an addiction to pornography while others do not.
Some factors can be the switch from frequent porn consumption to an addiction, including:
- Brain chemistry: Differences in the brain’s biological makeup can cause some individuals to be more susceptible to addictions than others. A person with elevated dopamine levels and brain chemistry changes may be more likely to develop a porn addiction.
- Mental health problems: A 2025 study by BioMed Central found that porn addiction is significantly correlated with mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.
- Relationship issues: Problems or dissatisfaction in a relationship, whether romantic or sexual, may lead to pornography viewing and can contribute to the development of porn addiction.
- Psychological stress: Pornography can be an escape or coping mechanism for individuals experiencing stress in their day-to-day lives.
Long-Term Effects of Pornography Addiction
Impact relationships
Porn addiction has damaging effects on a relationship. A person who is addicted to pornography may have decreased intimacy and emotional closeness with their partner, cause communication and trust issues within the relationship, and lead their partner to have self-esteem issues.
Lead to isolation and neglect of obligations
When someone becomes addicted to something, in this case, pornography, the only thing that matters to them is consuming porn. A person may find that relationships and life obligations, such as work, get in the way of watching porn and can lead them to isolate themselves from others and neglect activities and tasks.
Unrealistic views on sexual encounters
Someone with a pornography addiction may start to view sexual encounters as performance-based over time. This can lead to violent, degrading, and objectifying sexual behaviour, making their partner feel unsafe during sexual experiences.
Affect sexual health
Pornography addiction can lead to long-term effects on libido, erectile dysfunction, difficulty achieving orgasm, and overall sexual health. Watching pornography regularly can shift the brain and make it hard for the brain to experience pleasure from real-life encounters.
Damage self-esteem
Porn addiction can cause a person to compare themselves to what the performers on their screen, and feel insecure and shameful they aren’t the same. Individuals addicted to porn may also feel guilty and embarrassed about their addiction, which can lead to further isolation and lack of confidence.
Co-occurring mental health issues
Some more common mental health issues can eventuate from a pornography addiction. Mental health conditions that can co-occur with porn addiction include, but are not limited to:
- Anxiety disorder
- Depressions
- Personality disorders
- Mood disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Some individuals who experience mental health issues in addition to porn addiction may turn to alcohol and drugs as a way to self-medicate. This can lead to substance abuse and drug addiction also co-occur with porn addiction.
Treating pornography addiction
Pornography addiction can be treated through mental health professionals, such as counsellors and psychologists. Mental health professionals often treat porn addiction by identifying what caused the addiction, talking through the problem with the individual, and working to change or modify the person’s behaviours, and sometimes, suggest joining support groups.
The Centre for Human Potential (CFHP) is comprised of a team who are dedicated to the health and wellbeing of our patients’ mental health. We are Brisbane’s leading psychology practice that offers a range of mental health counselling services, including pornography addiction counselling. We help individuals with pornography addiction, as well as their loved ones, work through their emotions and challenges and provide the necessary tools to overcome the addiction.
