Can My Faith Really Help Me with Porn Addiction Recovery?

Is your faith driving feelings of shame, fear, or anxiety? For example, porn addiction may violate your values and beliefs. If so, there is likely heavy conflict going on between your behaviors and your faith. As a result, this can create internal strife. 

You may not think your faith can help you overcome your addiction for many reasons. For example, you may blame your higher power for issues that may have driven you to or resulted from your addiction. Likewise, you may doubt your faith, which can cause you to question your relationship with your higher power. However, what if you could turn these thoughts around? What if you could use your faith to overcome your porn addiction? 

In this article, we'll talk about how your faith could help along your journey to porn addiction recovery. 

Understanding Porn Addiction

One thing many with porn addiction have in common is they never imagined viewing pornography would lead to an addiction.

Porn addiction is the inability to control impulsive urges to view pornography. Often, the addiction leads to secrets, guilt, and shame. Likewise, it can impact your physical health and cause complications. It can also lead to financial issues and legal trouble. There continues to be a debate regarding the reality of porn addiction. As a result, research for funding is limited. However, what's not in question is the reality that it can be damaging both physically and mentally. 

Shame and Porn Addiction

Shame can accompany any addiction. However, when your religion teaches you not to engage in pornography, shame can be even stronger if you do. By de-shaming the subject, it may create a space for dialogue and healing. Likewise, a reduction in shame may increase your desire to seek help. 

You may not know that people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, income levels and religions can develop a porn addiction. Understanding what happens in the brain when you view porn may help you understand why a porn addiction can develop so quickly. Likewise, it can provide clarity as to why your addiction may be so difficult to overcome. 

How Your Faith May Help You Overcome Your Porn Addiction

One of the biggest issues for people with porn addiction is the disheartening conflict between their actions and their faith. However, it's your faith that may serve as your most beneficial asset in overcoming addiction. There are many faith-based addiction treatment centers. Together, you can approach your addiction with a new perspective. As you face your porn addiction, you may find a great source of peace and strength that comes through your relationship with your higher power. 

You may find that your faith leads you to your greatest source of healing. For example, according to APA.org, studies associate people of faith or spirituality with higher coping and resilience to stress. Likewise, they tend to be more optimistic and have a better perception of support. 

A report by the National Institute of Health says scientific studies show that faith is a positive factor in addiction recovery. They state that hundreds of evidence-based studies show the positive impact of faith on recovery from addiction. Likewise, they report the benefits range across a variety of religions and religious contexts. (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) 

At Walk By Faith Counseling, we're here to support you through your porn addiction and into recovery. We understand the benefits of a faith-based approach to healing. Likewise, we want you to know that as you begin your journey to overcome your addiction, you are not alone. We are eager to help you reach and maintain recovery. Call us today.