If you are worried about your porn use, Ince recommends seeking out support from a qualified and experienced professional.
A registered psychologist can be particularly helpful because they may consider your mental health more broadly, “and we know that co-occurring mental health problems are more or less the rule, rather than the exception”, he says.
This was the case for Craig, who did not realise his porn use may be unhealthy until he started therapy for his mental health.
“Porn addiction was like a contributing factor,” he came to learn.
His therapist suggested he join a 12-step programme for sex addiction – a recovery model created by Alcoholics Anonymous – which he credits for his recovery.
“I didn’t necessarily find it easy and straightforward to step away from my addiction. I feel I’m in a good place now, but also acknowledge the fact it’s one day at a time.”
There is currently no central, dedicated NHS service for those struggling with their porn use – although some local services offer support, and you can talk to your GP. This means treatment will more likely come from private practitioners, support groups or online self-help.
Ince suggests doing thorough research to find the right fit for you, and cautions against using online resources which may offer generic advice.
Some practitioners will help clients towards cutting out porn altogether, while others will help people “integrate it into their lives in a way that is functional,” says Neves.
Seeking to understand any underlying factors will be a crucial part of treatment, says Hall.
There are some practical steps you can take yourself, she says, such as placing blocking software on your device.
She also advises recognising when you might feel more susceptible to using porn – which, for some, can be when you are stressed or alone – and planning ahead for what you might do instead.
But she says there should ultimately be more support on the NHS, particularly early intervention before porn can take over a person’s life.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “It is troubling to hear accounts of individuals becoming addicted to pornography at such a young age.
“It reinforces the importance of the online safety laws we have put in place to prevent children from accessing harmful content.”
