Counsel #15 — Addicted

Picture: Counsel #15 — AddictedCLi 102.1

As with all addictions, pornography can become addictive due to its ability to activate the brain's reward system by releasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter correlated with reinforcement and pleasure. The more one looks at porn over time, the more the brain becomes desensitized, requiring higher doses of dopamine to be released by watching more extreme sexual content.CLi 102.2

This cycle leads to addiction, where an individual compulsively watches porn and suffers withdrawal symptoms when access is restricted. Physiologically, porn can lead to erectile dysfunction for men or an inability to feel aroused for women. Socially, addiction can cause a person to isolate themselves from friends and loved ones due to intense feelings of shame, regret, and guilt. Spiritually, porn restricts access to our minds — disallowing the Holy Spirit to do a transformative work within us. Nevertheless, regardless of how long someone has been addicted to porn, God still has the power to heal, change, and redeem!^{[94]https://np2district.adventisthost.org/blogs/pornographic-addiction}CLi 102.3

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIVCLi 102.4

“That which we allow ourselves to look upon oftenest, and think of most, transfers itself in a measure to us.” Ellen White in Letters to Young Lovers, p. 26CLi 102.5

Reflect: What spiritually encouraging advice can you give someone who’s addicted to porn?CLi 102.6