In some form or another, sex has always been around us. Yet, it constantly sparks controversy — and for many reasons. Some of us love it, while others don’t care much for it. And of those of us who enjoy sex, some prefer a derivate — pornography. Everyone’s take on porn varies, and it differs from person to person, with some of us watching too much of it.
Yes, there is a line between normal and abnormal consumption of sex. Both in performing the act of intercourse and watching others do it on a screen. The first is what we know as sex addiction, and the other is its subtype — porn addiction. They’re compulsive behavior issues that often prove to be obstacles in private and professional lives. But what are porn and sex addiction differences? Well, let’s find out!
Causations in These Addictions
It’s important to mention that porn and sex addictions are not the same. Being addicted to porn is only one branch of having a sexual disorder. The causes of sex addiction are several, and they include biological, psychological, and social. That means that a unique combination of hormones, mental health, and real-life events can lead to enjoying sex more than 99% of Planet Earth. But there’s no need to despair, as treatment is possible.
When it comes to porn, it’s never easy to understand why some people spiral out of control watching it. Most people start consuming pornographic content by the time they’re teens, they love it, and they don’t find anything problematic. And that’s okay. It’s how generation after generation learns about sex, even if the scenes are often over the top. Either way, there’s a rush when watching porn that can be the reason behind this addiction.
In essence, most people consume pornographic content in private. Teens hide in their bathrooms, wear headsets, and adults wait for the rest of the household to go out and spank their salami a bit. But most importantly, it provides a rush, and it might become addictive as people want to feel it over and over again. And no matter how negatively it reflects on a person, they keep going back to it. It’s a classic example of behavioral addiction.
People vs. Screen Involvement
When someone has a sex addiction, their focus is on people and direct contact with them. This often leads to constant advances on potential partners, sex with prostitutes, and infidelity. However, if they’re only into porn, the story changes a bit. For pornography addicts, the laptop, PC, or smartphone screen has a certain value. They have a relationship with it, which can typically make them uninterested in sexually interacting with actual people.
It’s not uncommon for porn addicts to be antisocial. Some of them have experiences of rejections which led them to consume so much adult content. Furthermore, social isolation is a big thing among them, increasing the chances of becoming a porn addict. These unfortunate attributes usually come with anxiety, depression, and many other mental issues that result in poor performance when participating in the actual deed.
Levels of Security
Another difference that separates porn and sex addicts is how their addictions reflect on them and their surrounding’s security. In other words, how complex can these addictions be in legal terms? Unfortunately, both can lead to numerous altercations with the authorities. Both porn and sex addicts can become dangerous to themselves and the people around them.
We all know that porn isn’t the safest content online. Moreover, it’s some of the riskiest stuff to view and enjoy, especially if you’re not a member or subscriber to a big-budget studio. Tube sites are full of viruses and malware, waiting to find their way onto your computer and mess your life up. From e-mails and bank accounts, everything can become a target.
On the flip side, being a sex addict can result in sexual harassment. This isn’t always the case, of course, but it’s a possibility. Sex addicts can’t control their urges, even if they know that their actions might have negative implications. They can become unpleasant around people, openly talking about intercourse, fantasies, sexting, and even touching them inappropriately.
Porn Addiction Is Similar to Video Game Addiction
Although it might seem like too much at first, gaming and porn actually share lots of common traits. Aside from being products of high-speed internet, both are addictive and have a similar principle of how they work. Namely, these two digital addictions share a reward-like system that isn’t the same as substance abuse. Porn and multiplayer gaming are all about having a unique experience every time you indulge in them.
In essence, human pleasure comes from new and unique experiences. This makes multiplayer gaming a perfect solution to fill that void. With every match, you get different results and play with different people. Unlike single-player games, online ones offer an illusion of variety. It’s the same as porn. Most addicts look for new performers, scenes, and fetishes, scrolling through their browser endlessly.
The Difference in Social and Emotional Maturity
As we’ve said, not all porn addicts are sex addicts too. In fact, these cases are rare and are quite tricky to handle. But, is being one better than the other? Well, we can’t say. It’s not a contest. However, there are certain pros of being a porn addict over being a sex one. Living a normal life can be somewhat more realistic.
Porn addicts can have meaningful relationships, work like everyone else, and have functional families. This is a bit rare, but it’s true. On the other hand, sex addicts struggle to do that since they find sexual opportunities every step of the way. They often cheat on their partners and try to hook up with business colleagues.
Sure enough, being a porn addict isn’t easy. No one is saying that. Yet, it’s easier to find your way through life than it would be if you struggled with sex addiction. In both social and emotional terms, porn addicts show more maturity. If they have their screen on which they’ll watch porn, they’ll find ways around all other life barriers.
Final Judgement
So, let’s summarize the whole difference between these two addictions. In essence, sex addiction is a compulsive disorder. It shows in people when they lose control over their bodies in need of intercourse. This addiction makes them unable to stop searching for new ways to have sex and reflects negatively onto their private and professional lives. As such, it’s a behavioral problem that can even lead to legal issues.
Opposite to it is porn addiction. This is just a subtype of sex addiction, and it doesn’t mean that a person who is addicted to pornography has the same tendencies with sexual intercourse. Porn addiction is a product of brain response. Similar to multiplayer video games, watching porn offers the illusion of variety. People who suffer from it have a relationship with their screen more than the sexual deed itself.
Luckily, both addictions can be treated. With proper and professional medical care, anyone who struggles from too much porn or sex can find their way out. If you or someone you care for is showing signs of any, it’s best to contact your doctor. Both of these addictions are no jokes, and they can cause serious harm to everyone involved.
