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Approximately 40 million Americans visit porn sites on a regular basis. While it is merely a form of entertainment to pass the time or assist with sexual enjoyment for most people, it is a source of crippling addiction for the other viewers. If you fall into the latter category, it is possible to overcome the addiction with time and effort. To maximize your chances of success, here are three key things that must be present in your journey to an addiction-free life.

A Definition of Success

One of the first things you must do when working to overcome a pornography addiction is to define what sobriety means to you. When it comes to substance abuse (e.g. alcoholism), sobriety typically means complete abstinence from consuming the substance (e.g. never drink alcohol again). Similarly, the goal for many people who suffer from porn addiction is to never view the material again. However, this may or may not be your ultimate goal.

Porn addiction often gives rise to other harmful behaviors, such as excessive masturbation. Therefore, sobriety for a porn addict may encompass a reduction or elimination of other activities that supported the addiction. Additionally, some people may feel that completely giving up all porn is undesired or unnecessary, that viewing it every once in awhile under controlled circumstance (e.g. with a partner) is acceptable.

It's important you come up with your own definition of sobriety, so you can recognize when you've achieved the goal. Be certain, though, the definition is grounded in reality and what's best for your long-term mental and physical health. You may think watching porn once a month is okay, but that may not be realistic if viewing the material triggers a consumption binge. It's best to consult with an addiction counselor for assistance with developing a good definition of success for you.

Acknowledgement of the Underlying Cause of the Addiction

Another critical aspect to your recovery is acknowledging and understanding the underlying cause of the addiction. There is an assumption that people are addicted to the sexual feelings induced by viewing pornography, but that's not true. As with other types of addiction, people use porn to escape from negative emotions they may be feeling or bad aspects of their lives.

It's true viewing porn puts people in a state of heightened sexual pleasure that addicts try to sustain for as long as possible by continuing to view the material and engaging in sexual fantasies. However, addicts are using the pleasure derived from viewing porn to minimize feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, pain, anger, and other emotions they may not want to deal with. This is why porn addicts often spend long periods of time watching the material but never obtain sexual satisfaction by masturbating or having sex, because the goal is to escape life not achieve orgasm.

As difficult as it may be, it's essential you dig into your psyche to figure out what you're trying to avoid and deal with that problem in healthier ways. If you're struggling with depression, for instance, you'll want to treat it by making lifestyle changes or taking medication. Failure to deal with the underlying cause of the addiction can lead to relapses in your recovery.

Accountability and Support

Lastly, it's critical you tap into a social network that can help keep you accountable on your journey and provide support when you need it. The road to recovery is tough and full of temptations to relapse back into the addiction. A support group can make sure you're following through on your commitment, provide advice to help you get through a rough patch, and lend an ear when you need someone to talk to.

It's generally best to have contact with real people in the real world. However, you can also find a number of online groups and forums that may also be a source of information and support. Take time to determine what works best for you.

For more information about overcoming porn addiction, contact a local counseling facility like The Mindful Habit.