Overcome Addiction to Internet Pornography

It’s a far-reaching problem: X-rated internet sites are generating $10 to $20 billion a year ensnaring men in pornography. Forbidden images are so accessible that thousands of Christian men who would never visit a strip club or an adult bookstore find themselves staring at pornographic pictures in their offices or homes. Getting caught may mean losing their wives, jobs, and ministries. Many men feel isolated and alone—ashamed to tell anyone their secret—and separated from God.

Church leaders can offer their members a growing number of Christian resources to help end the addiction and isolation. Within community, men can make the connections they need to become healthy.

Hard to Escape

Internet pornography is especially destructive because it’s so accessible, affordable, and anonymous.

  • There are more than 260 million pages of pornographic content on the Internet.
  • Most sites offer free content.
  • Spam emails barrage Internet users, luring customers to porn sites.
  • Anonymity tempts people who wouldn’t consider indulging in more public vices.

Pastors are no less vulnerable than other men to being tempted by the internet’s anonymity. Among respondents to a 2001 Christianity Today survey:

  • 37% said they struggled with a desire to view pornography.
  • One in three had recently visited a porn site.

Because pastors are in a position of authority, most feel they can’t confide in anyone. Few are inclined to seek professional help on their own.

An Addictive Pursuit

There’s a growing belief that viewing pornography can be as addictive as using cocaine. Whereas cocaine mimics the body’s natural chemicals, however, viewing pornography actually causes the brain to release two that, combined, produce a strong compulsion to repeat the behavior that generated them:

  • Endorphins—offer intense pleasure and relaxation
  • Epinephrine—heightens arousal, alertness, and energy

Dependent on these chemical boosts, the body craves more, and the mind seeks temporary escape in tantalizing, exciting thoughts. But, as with drug addiction, euphoria is soon replaced by other intense feelings:

  • Guilt and shame
  • Fear of getting caught
  • Emptiness and confusion
  • Despair

Hopelessness can cause the person to seek the source of pleasure again—blocking out thoughts of God, family, commitment, or consequences.

A Way Out

Recovery from addiction can be very difficult. Overcoming denial about the compulsive cycle and admitting the problem is the first step.

People who work with men struggling with sexual addictions agree that accountability is a strong motivational factor to change behavior. Most Bible-based treatment programs for Christian men involve some combination of the following:

  • Establishing an accountability partner. This person can ask difficult questions the pornography viewer isn’t willing to ask himself.
  • Using internet monitoring software. Each accountability partner can find out where the other has wandered on the Web. Websites such as Covenant Eyes or X3Pure are good resources.
  • Encouraging spouse participation. Knowing how the addiction affects his wife can spur the pornography viewer to stop.
  • Getting counseling or other help. X3Pure offers information for pastorsparents and wives.
  • Attending support groups. Hearing others’ stories and recognizing that he’s not alone can give the addicted person strength to work for healing.

Each man’s needs dictate which strategies are necessary to help him heal by dealing with the emotions that drew him to pornography in the first place.