Has porn addiction started to have a negative effect on your life? Is your career, relationships, or health suffering because you are addicted to porn? Porn addiction can be one of the most shameful types of addiction, and this shame prevents many from getting the help they need. 

Here is how you can overcome shame and seek treatment at porn addiction counseling near me. 

Realize You Are Not Alone 

When you are addicted to porn, it’s easy to think that you are the only one who has ever suffered from this problem. These thoughts can be very shameful because it makes you think there is something wrong with you or you are not ‘normal’. The truth is, more than 200,000 Americans are addicted to porn and more than 40 million Americans regularly view pornographic sites. In fact, almost 35% of all internet downloads are related to porn. Once you realize that this is not an uncommon problem, you can reduce your shame and seek help.

Seek the Right Kind of Help 

Admitting your porn addiction to members of your family, people at work, or your friends could lead to embarrassment, damage to the relationship, or ridicule. These all make shame worse and can cause an addict to hide their addiction rather than seek the help they need. 

Instead of confiding in those close to you, consider choosing porn addiction counseling near me. Addiction facilities have trained professionals who can not only help you talk about your issues, but who also are required to keep them confidential. This can help lessen shame and help you feel confident in getting therapy.

Understand If It Is Related to Other Issues 

Some porn addicts have a tough time seeking help because they are either unaware of or unwilling to address other issues that could be fueling their porn addictions. These could include alcoholism or drug use, mental health issues such as depression, or anxiety, or relationship issues. When you seek out counseling, your therapist can help you uncover any underlying or co-existing issues that you can then address on your road to healing.

Forgive Yourself to Lessen Shame 

Shame is about not forgiving yourself and believing that there is something wrong with you. Like any other type of addiction, porn addiction is likely the result of many different issues and events—some of which were likely out of your control. It’s important to forgive yourself for the addiction in order to begin lessening shame. Guilt over prior actions won’t get you anywhere—only taking action and seeking help will lead you to recovery.

Porn Addiction Counseling Near Me: Where to Get Help 

Have you decided it’s time to overcome the shame you feel because of your porn addiction and get help? You can restore relationships and create a better life after attending counseling and starting on the road to porn addiction recovery. Reach out to a qualified mental health practitioner now to find out more about their counseling options and to see if porn addiction therapy is right for you.