If you’re struggling with porn addiction, you may wonder if you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit. The answer is yes—withdrawal from porn is real and can be challenging to cope with.
Don’t wait to get help if you are suffering from porn addiction. Northpoint Washington will help you through every step of recovery. Call us at 888.450.2153 to learn more about our rehabilitation programs. Here is a list of 12 symptoms of porn addiction withdrawal that you may experience.
What Is Porn Addiction?
Porn addiction is an addiction to pornography characterized by an obsessive need to view pornographic videos or images, despite the negative consequences it may have on one’s life. It is a problem that affects people of all ages. Porn addiction is a growing problem in the United States, affecting millions. The good news is that there are treatment options available for porn addiction—one option is to go through withdrawal.
How Does Porn Addiction Withdrawal Affect the Brain?
Porn addiction withdrawal works similarly to departure from other types of addiction. When you try to quit, your brain will experience a change in dopamine levels. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure and motivation. The brain releases dopamine when we do something that feels good, like eating, having sex, or using drugs.
When you’re addicted to porn, your brain becomes used to the high dopamine levels released when you view pornography. When you try to quit, your brain is no longer getting the dopamine hit it used to, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
What Are Porn Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms?
Acknowledging porn addiction withdrawal symptoms is vital to help manage and cope with them.
Porn addiction is a real problem that affects people of all ages, genders, and walks of life. Like any other addiction, quitting porn can be extremely difficult and often lead to withdrawal symptoms. Here are 12 of the most common porn addiction withdrawal symptoms:
- Anxiety – One of the most common symptoms of withdrawal from any addiction is anxiety. This can manifest in many ways, such as feeling on edge, restless, or panicked.
- Depression – Many people with addiction also struggle with depression. Quitting porn can lead to a worsening of depressive symptoms or even trigger a depressive episode.
- Irritability – Another common symptom of addiction withdrawal is irritability. This may be due to the anxiety and stress of quitting an addiction.
- Loss of libido – Many people addicted to porn lose interest in sex. This is because they have become used to the instant gratification that porn provides and may find real-life sexual encounters less exciting.
- Insomnia – Many people who struggle with addiction have trouble sleeping. This may be due to the anxiety and worry that come with quitting, or it may be a side effect of the changes in brain chemistry that come with addiction.
- Fatigue – Fatigue is a common symptom of withdrawal from any addiction. This lethargy is likely due to the changes in sleep patterns that come with addiction and the physical and mental exhaustion that comes with the addiction.
- Headaches – Headaches are a common symptom of addiction withdrawal, especially during the early stages.
- Intrusive thoughts – This symptom is more normal than you might think since many people addicted to porn report having intrusive thoughts about porn even when they’re not trying to think about it. The disruption can be highly distressing and may make it difficult to focus on other things.
- Cravings – Cravings are one of the most difficult symptoms of addiction withdrawal. They can be intense and overwhelming and may lead to a relapse if not appropriately managed.
- Mood swings – It is normal to experience mood swings when you go through withdrawal. When trying to quit an addiction, your brain goes through many changes, leading to instability in your mood.
- Difficulty concentrating – Many people addicted to porn report difficulty concentrating on other things. This is likely due to the intrusive thoughts and cravings that come with addiction.
- Social isolation – Social isolation is a common symptom of addiction, and it can be exacerbated by the shame and embarrassment that come with addiction.
Learning what porn addiction withdrawal symptoms are is the first step to getting the help you need. Treatment options are available; you don’t have to do this alone. Reach out to our treatment at Northpoint Washington to get the help you need to recover.
Get Help for Porn Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms at Northpoint Washington
Give us a call today to get started on the road to recovery. Our admissions counselors are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have about our program. We offer various treatment options to meet your unique needs and will work with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation.
Contact us today at 888.450.2153 to learn more about our treatment options.
