The word ‘trigger’ is often associated with addiction, and porn addiction is no different. However, to actively fight the triggers that lead towards watching porn, it’s essential to be aware of them. The awareness will assist you in your porn addiction treatment and reduce the chances of relapse.
Here are some common porn addiction triggers and how to deal with them, as avoidance isn’t often a choice.
Emotional Triggers
Humans are addicted to control and feel powerless or overwhelmed when anything is beyond our control. With the widespread and accessible internet porn, millions indulge in watching porn as soon as they feel overwhelmed. Stress, anxiety, sadness, and at times, extreme happiness can often trigger you to watch porn.
Watching porn brings momentary release and satisfaction, calming the nerves and giving a false sense of control. It’s also used for numbing certain unbearable emotions.
If you’re battling these types of triggers, you’ll have to perform some intrinsic work to stay aware of which emotion triggers you the most and when it’s likely to occur.
Solution
- It may sound challenging but being aware of your emotions is essential to fight your emotional triggers. Know your emotions, when you feel them, any external stimulus associated with the emotion, and how often you feel them.
- Once you have clarity, ensure not to engage with external stimuli.
- Find activities that can help reverse your emotion and find your control. For instance, if you’re sad about not having a partner, go on dates without any expectations except for fun.
Physical Triggers
Physical triggers are associated with your bodily functions. Hence, they’re relatively easier to identify. Specific hormonal changes can increase your sex drive, while hunger, tiredness, and lack of sleep also trigger the urge to watch porn.
Solution
- Awareness is the beginning of everything. Hence, reflect on your last encounter with porn and identify which physical condition might have triggered you to watch porn.
- If you find yourself frequently affected by this trigger, pre-plan your action against it. For instance, if hunger pangs trigger you in the middle of the night, have a meal prepared for it. To fight exhaustion, take a calming bath, and read to make you asleep instantly. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and porn addiction won’t end in a single attempt. It takes practice and commitment to achieve the desired results.
Environmental Triggers
Humans don’t live in a cave anymore. Therefore, due to various social interactions and environmental stimuli, it’s common to be triggered to watch porn. Certain porn website ads on webpages, billboards of lingerie ads, erotica, etc., can trigger individuals to watch porn.
Solution
Remember the three A’s for fighting environmental triggers: Alert, Avert, and Affirm.
- Alert: Acknowledge the trigger when you find them. For instance, if you see a porn ad, recognize it for what it is.
- Avert: As soon as you recognize it, avert and remove yourself from the situation. Blocking the stimuli is the most effective technique at times.
- Affirm: When you have successfully averted yourself, affirm your effort and be proud of yourself. Reward your success by giving yourself a small treat.
HelpHub Counselling Can Help With Porn Addiction Triggers
Porn addiction treatment starts with the willingness to get better. However, counselling can help you achieve your goals and look at the issue holistically.
HelpHub Counselling, a porn addiction counselling service, offers online porn addiction counselling that’s easy to access. The porn addiction counsellor uses a non-judgmental approach and comprehensively assesses the situation to help you see and resolve the issue.
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If you’re struggling with porn addiction, we can help.
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Contact Phone: 0402580949 email: admin@helphubcounselling.com