Rising tide of pornography addiction carries devastating consequences, says Priory expert
Date: 14th January 2025
Rates of pornography addiction are rising, with devastating consequences for individuals and families, according to a leading addiction expert at Priory.
The advent of remote working, a lack of social connection, and increased availability of pornography have created a perfect storm and escalated the issue.
Alex Warden, an addiction therapist at Priory Hospital Chelmsford, has raised the alarm after observing a rising tide of individuals seeking help, warning that the winter months are a particularly high-risk time.
He said: “We’re seeing increasing levels of a range of addictions at Priory, including pornography addiction. The shift to remote working has provided more opportunities for addictive behaviours to flourish, with boredom and lack of social interaction being significant contributing factors.
“A few years ago I would support roughly one person per quarter for pornography addiction. Now, I am referred at least one person per week. January and February can be a particularly challenging time, as people are more likely to experience social isolation at this time of year.”
As with other addictions, an escalating use of pornography is extremely damaging to people’s mental health, explained Warden. He said: “When the urge to consume pornographic material overrides everything else and starts to interfere with a person’s daily life and responsibilities, it has become an addiction. Escalation to this level is extremely destructive.
“It can lead to a range of serious mental health problems for people, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.”
The repercussions of pornography addiction extend beyond the individual, deeply affecting relationships and families.
Warden said: “Pornography addiction can lead to significant trust issues, emotional distance, and conflicts within relationships. Partners often feel betrayed and hurt, which can result in a breakdown of communication and intimacy. Families suffer as the addiction consumes time and attention that would otherwise be devoted to loved ones.”
Increased ease of availability of pornography, including among children who are more likely than ever before to own a smartphone, is part of the problem, said Warden: “Pornography has most definitely become more readily available to people.
“This ease of access has led to a decrease in the age of first exposure, with some individuals I’ve supported having viewed pornography from as young as eight years old. This early exposure can lead to long-term addiction issues in adulthood.”
According to a study commissioned by the Children’s Commissioner for England, half of children have been exposed to pornography by the age of 13. This exposure often includes violent and harmful content, which can have significant impacts on their perceptions of sex and relationships.
The impact of pornography addiction on mental health, especially when pornographic content is accessed from a young age, is profound.
Warden said: “Many of the adults I support started watching pornography when they were very young. This can lead to confusion, shame, and a host of mental health issues. It’s not just men and boys who are affected; women and girls are also vulnerable.”
Warden has called for increased awareness of a growing issue, and suggests a proactive approach to combat it. He said: “There is still a lot of shame and embarrassment surrounding the request for help, but it is important for people to seek help, just like with any other addiction. The opposite of addiction is connection. We need to foster environments where individuals feel connected and supported.
“I always encourage my patients, if they are experiencing social isolation due to remote working or other factors, to be really proactive in finding ways to create meaningful human interactions every day.
“I’d urge parents to push back the age at which they give their children smartphones, and for those who do have smartphones to please utilise parental controls for young people.
“Open communication within families can really help tackle issues before they escalate into addictions too. We should always find time and ways to talk to each other about difficult issues.”
Priory is the UK’s largest independent provider of mental health, addiction rehabilitation and adult social care services. To seek help for any addiction, people can consult their GP or book for a free addiction assessment through Priory via priorygroup.com/addiction-treatment
ENDS
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About Priory and MEDIAN Group
Priory is the UK’s largest independent provider of mental health and adult social care services. Priory treats more than 70 conditions, including depression, anxiety, addictions and eating disorders, as well as children’s mental health, across its nationwide network of sites. Priory also supports autistic adults and adults with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, within specialist residential care and supported living facilities – helping as many people as possible to live their lives.
Priory is part of the MEDIAN Group, the leading European provider of high-quality mental health and rehabilitation services. The MEDIAN Group comprises: Priory in the UK with 280 facilities and 5,000 beds caring for 28,000 people, MEDIAN in Germany with 120 facilities and 18,000 beds caring for 256,000 patients, and Hestia in Spain with 14 facilities and 2,000 beds caring for 10,000 people in Spain, with more than 30,000 employees across the group.