When Compulsion Replaces Connection
Porn use is common. But when it begins to impact your mental health, self-esteem or relationships, it can feel incredibly isolating. You may feel trapped in a pattern that brings short-term relief but long-term guilt, shame, or disconnection.
At Hope Therapy & Counselling Services, we support individuals facing compulsive or distressing porn use with compassion and respect. Whether you’re looking to reduce your use, explore the emotional reasons behind it, or heal relationship challenges caused by it, we offer a space free from judgement.
Understanding Porn Addiction
Porn addiction is a behavioural addiction where individuals feel compelled to view pornography regularly, often to the point of emotional, relational or psychological harm.
You might:
- Feel unable to stop or cut down despite wanting to
- Hide or lie about your usage
- Use porn as a coping mechanism for anxiety, stress, boredom or loneliness
- Experience low mood, shame or guilt afterwards
- Find real-lif intimacy or relationships affected by your porn use
- Escalate to more extreme content over time
The emotional effects are often as intense as the behavioural ones. And you don’t have to face them alone.
- In a 2023 UK survey, 1 in 5 men aged 18–35 reported feeling addicted to pornography
- 54% of adults in relationships say porn has impacted their intimacy
- Porn addiction is linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues
- Many individuals delay seeking help due to shame, secrecy or fear of being judged
Porn use is no longer just a private activity. For many, it has real-world consequences.
Emotional Reasons People Turn to Porn
Porn use can be an escape, a release, or a routine. But when it becomes a reflex in response to emotional distress, it often reflects unmet needs:
- Numbing or avoiding difficult emotions
- Replacing connection with control
- Coping with low self-worth or loneliness
- Managing trauma, rejection or shame
Counselling doesn’t shame these patterns. It gently explores what’s underneath them.
“I Feel Like I Can’t Stop, But I Don’t Know Why”
That sense of internal conflict is deeply familiar to many clients. In therapy, we help you:
Escalate to more extreme content over time The emotional effects are often as intense as the behavioural ones. And you don’t have to face them alone.
Understand the psychological and emotional role porn plays
Work through guilt, shame and secrecyUnderstanding Porn AddictionPorn addiction is a behavioural addiction where individuals feel compelled to view pornography regularly, often to the point of emotional, relational or psychological harm.You might:
Feel unable to stop or cut down despite wanting to
Hide or lie about your usage
Use porn as a coping mechanism for anxiety, stress, boredom or loneliness
Experience low mood, shame or guilt afterwards
Find real-lif intimacy or relationships affected by your porn use
How Hope Therapy Can Help
Hope Therapy & Counselling Services provides a warm, discreet, professional space to talk about behaviours many find difficult to voice. Our team includes experienced therapists trained in behavioural addiction, sexuality, emotional health and relationship repair.
We work collaboratively and compassionately. You won’t be told what to do—you’ll be supported to make sense of your own experiences and decisions
About Hope Therapy & Counselling Services
Our team of qualified, experienced counsellors bring understanding, empathy and real-world experience to your therapy journey. We regularly support clients struggling with compulsive behaviours, emotional trauma, relationship breakdown and identity-based challenges.
If porn use is affecting your wellbeing or relationships, we can help.