How can I solve a porn addiction?

Dear Hadi,

Dear Reader,

Thank you for asking your question.  We know you are not alone in this problem, as we somewhat recently answered a very similar question.  Below is the answer we gave the previous reader.  We hope it will be of help to you insha'Allah:  

You are absolutely correct that pornography can cause addiction, just like any addictive drug.  The chemistry of addiction is probably identical across the board, whether it is drugs, pornography, or gambling for example.  These behaviors cause high surges of a chemical called dopamine in the reward centers of the brain.  These surges force a compulsive behavior that very often can overcome will-power, because the brain begins to crave the high dopamine levels.

We understand that it would be difficult or embarrassing to try to find support groups that would deal with pornography addiction, particularly if you are living in a Muslim country.  However, if this possibility is open to you, that would be our first recommendation.  If it is not available to you, then seeking help from a licensed therapist who deals with addiction would be the next best thing, since as we said, the chemistry of addiction is nearly identical regardless of the addictive substance or behavior. 

Also, along with these, the tried and proven method to break addiction is to let the brain recalibrate, and this can only happen through a long period of abstinence where the brain will no longer desire the addictive substance or behavior. 

With pornography, this may be particularly difficult, and one of the best strategies is to make sure, to the best of your ability, that you do not have alone time with the internet.  That may be difficult to achieve in this day and age, but if it means spending significantly more time in the company of others and putting your phone and other devices away (perhaps under lock and key for extended periods of time), these steps will increase the likelihood that you may be able to abstain.

You will need at least a few weeks for your brain chemistry to adjust, and for the urges to become less and less powerful.

You notice that we did not quote any verses from the Quran or any hadith, although a lot of things may apply here.  However, we did this on purpose since you don't need to be convinced that pornography is wrong, and since you already feel badly about the situation and want to correct it. 

 

In peace.