The increasing prevalence of porn addiction among middle-aged men is concerning, with some spending a significant portion of their waking hours searching adult websites. This addiction is driven by the dopamine rush associated with viewing sexually explicit content, which diminishes over time, leading to a cycle of increased consumption.
At UK Addiction Treatment’s London clinic, they receive an average of two new patients per week who are over the age of 50 and struggling with porn addiction. Experts fear that this number represents only a fraction of the true scope of the problem nationwide.
Lee Fernandes, a therapist at UKAT, explains that dopamine addiction can arise from any pleasurable activity, including excessive porn consumption. The release of dopamine during these activities triggers a natural high that individuals may become addicted to, similar to the way heroin users chase their initial high.
Cat Etherington, from the Naked Truth Project, emphasizes the devastating impact of compulsive porn use on relationships and families. She believes that it is crucial to address the damaging effects of pornography and provide support for those struggling with addiction.
