Assessing Pornography Addiction
Assessing pornography addiction
is a relatively new issue for professionals. With the rapid growth
of the internet, pornography is more available now than ever before. In
addition, there are more pornographic videos being made now than ever before.
For many years professionals have had access to assessment tools for drugs and
alcohol, but there have been relatively few tools for identifying the
signs of sex addiction and even fewer for assessing pornography
addiction.
On a regular basis I have clients ask me, "Do you think I am addicted to
pornography?", I have wondered what is the best way to respond to them. Consider
the following definition of addiction--
A recurrent failure to
control the behavior and continuation of the behavior despite increasingly
harmful consequences.
In my experience using this definition, most of my clients would fit into
that definition. They often continue viewing pornography even though they know
there are harmful consequences.
Unfortunately, this definition doesn't match or meet the
needs of all of my clients. As I have assessed pornography addiction over the
years, there are varying degrees of addiction which makes it critically
important to distinguish individuals who are in need of intensive treatment
versus individuals who need the right educational tools to help them stop the
behavior. In other words, each individual needs treatment based upon their level
of involvement with pornography.
Assessing Pornography Addiction
In recognizing the need for assessing different levels of
pornography addiction, I have created an assessment test, the Assessing Pornography Addiction test identifies six
levels of addiction.
What experience has taught me is that there are common behaviors
in all of my clients. However, each individual still has their own reasoning of
why they looking at pornography. Some clients are much more involved in
pornography than other clients. For example, Client A could spend hours a day
looking at pornography, while Client B seems to relapse about every two weeks.
While client C may have seen pornography once in the last six months.
During the past 8 years, I have observed many patterns in clients
involvement in pornography which has lead me to create an assessment test for
clients. This pornography assessment test is based upon the clinical work that I
have done with over 100 clients over the years.
The pornography assessment tool was developed from clinical
experience and has assisted me in evaluating and understanding the men and women
that have been involved in viewing pornography in some form or other. I have
identified six unique levels to help individuals do a self-analysis of their
personal addiction or dependency on pornography. This scale helps me understand
what level of intervention my clients need in treatment. However, while this
assessment helps me assess my clients needs, I have noticed that a personal
assessment by an individual dealing with pornography addiction is only the
beginning. Once a person understands their level of addiction, they have to make
a choice. The choice is to take responsibility and learn how to change the
behavior or to do nothing and keep doing the same thing, or as is often the case
their level of involvement gets worse.
The test I have written will help people assess their own level of
involvement in pornography. However, it is one thing to assess the problem
and an entirely different thing to overcome the addictive behavior. If a
person really wants to change, they will need to follow the recommended
treatment ideas and suggestions outlined below.
Once the Assessing Pornography Addiction test has been completed, specific
suggestions are provided to individuals. These suggestions are based upon the
personal addiction level of each individual.
How Parents, Spouses, and Clergyman Can Use the Assessing Pornography
Addiction Tool
The “Assessing Pornography Addiction” tool can also be used by individuals
who are working with people who are involved in pornography. In looking for the
signs of sexual addiction or pornography addiction, they can use this tool by
reading through the assessment questions and familiarizing themselves with the
responses. If your partner, spouse, or child is involved in viewing pornography,
this tool can help you identify their level of involvement. You will also learn
what questions to ask them and receive ideas on how you can help them get
appropriate treatment.
I invite all people who are involved in pornography and those who want to
assess pornography addiction levels and who work with these individuals to take
the "Assessing Pornography Addiction" test. This test
can be used in the following ways:
- Assessing pornography addiction—Learn how to identify your personal
level of dependency or addiction
- Gain the right knowledge so that you can overcome and treat pornography
addiction
- How to discuss your involvement in pornography with a counselor,
clergyman, or family member.
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