CLINICAL BREAKDOWN: Should I Take Meds For My Addiction?

If COVID has revealed anything, it is that North Americans (and really most societies at large) are accustomed to pharmaceuticals. We take Tylenols for headaches, pain killers after surgeries, antidepressants to improve our mood, and vaccines to enhance our immunity (that is about as political as this post will get FYI). What about porn addiction?

There are two classes of addictions: Substance and Process (behavioral). Substance addictions are more common – drugs and alcohol primarily. Process addictions include gambling, video games, and porn consumption. Porn is not yet a diagnosable addiction by psychiatric standards, but research is showing that it clearly is a form of process addiction.

Those recovering from substance abuse have a plethora of choices for medication. Some assist with withdrawal symptoms, others assist with the brain's rewiring process, and some satisfy cravings by mimicking the substance. While the idea of taking a pill to cure addiction is enticing, make no mistake – medication alone does not provide sobriety. Medication is simply a support. Other interventions including professional help and programs are necessary.

For process addictions, which includes porn addiction, the treatment models do not include medication. At least, not directly. Given the lack of research in this area and the added complexities of process addiction, medication is simply not a viable solution at this time – and that may never change. That being said, if other issues coexist with the addiction – such as ADHD – then medication could be part of the solution. In these cases, the medication is addressing the co-occurring issue, not the addiction itself.

It would be easy to wrap this up by saying, "Hopefully one day the research will catch up and we will have some medications to heal porn addiction," but the very attitude that undergirds that thinking is what causes addiction in the first place. Quick fixes and immediate gratification are the breeding ground of addiction – integrating these elements into a solution is oxymoronic.

True recovery from addiction will always center around healing the human heart, inner transformation, and identity formation. If you are genuinely seeking a solution from porn addiction, look for a professional or a program that provides principles and tools in these particular areas. It may take more time to get results, but the long-term effect will be significantly greater.

Cheering you on,
Sathiya