Pornography addiction is a type of behavioral or process addiction. Other process addictions include gambling addiction, sex addiction, and internet addiction.
A person who is addicted to porn will repeatedly engage in the behavior of viewing pornography despite any negative consequences. The negative consequences can range from mild to severe. Some people may feel ashamed and frustrated, or may lose the ability to become intimate with a partner in real life.
The repetition of behavior will escalate over time for someone with a pornography addiction. This is similar to what a person with a substance use disorder experiences.
So, a person may start by only viewing pornography on occasion. They may then progress to watching it more and more frequently. Eventually, those addicted may lose control over where and when they view pornography. In some cases, people will consume pornography regardless of where they are or what risks are associated with their viewing.
Pornography addiction has not yet been recognized as an official mental health disorder by the World Health Organization. However, there is clear evidence that people who find themselves watching pornography instead of participating in other activities exhibit addictive behaviors.
One study from 2017 examining Problematic Pornography Use (PPU) found similar brain responses of people with a pornography addiction that were similar to those addicted to drugs. Research suggests that pornography addiction is as serious as other addictions. As such, it should be treated with the same type of care and consideration.