Anyone else have a porn addiction?

[charliemagenta]

I am, technically a porn addict and masturbation addict. I don't do it as much as i used to now, i'm 17, started out around the age of 9 or so. There's times where i've done things based on my influence of porn, certain things i look back on and wish to relive and some i'm more like "wtf was wrong with me?" Lnog story short, porn ruined the hell out of my life in every shape and form i kid you not. Look at every symptom of addiction and i bet you i have those. I've questioned my sexuality after my change of taste changed in porn, but i'm pretty much through with the whole HOCD thing as of now because, well i know i'm straight. I know i'm straight and i honestly jerked off to gay videos (not to much enjoyment, once you're an addict, you don't really care) to tell you the truth, the whole nine. I know how many people don't believe porn can actually change you, everything about you, but sadly i can confirm that it does whether you believe me or not that's up to you to decide. But i was wondering who else by chance is an addict? and suffers a lot of stress, emotional distraught, sadness/depression, lack of care for anything, and so forth? anyone who has been changed by their long usage of it? maybe even your sexual tastes?
Just a few moments ago i was looking at female dancing video and was genuinely more excited since i've held off for a few days and wanted to go at it. But then i thought, what if it leads to me going to something else? back to porn, or back to gay porn? because the issues at hand are numerous, but the biggest one is the fact that i'm straight but can get erect for a penis on the screen and it's like an add-on that i don't really want. Is there anyone who has experienced this? I've been told to embrace it, but i rather not embrace something that came along with an addiction.

[DerBear]

Porn is addictive, while studies are only recent it has been proved that porn is addictive. Studies were done where scans of the brain were taken as an alcoholic saw images of Alcohol, the reward centre of the brain lit up, noticeably on the scan. They did the same with porn addicts and those who weren't only minimal signs were shown as there is natural response to naked women so they did expect to see some activity. However those who were watching porn a long time for many hours, the scans showed huge activity in the reward centre of the brain. So yes, porn is addictive.

If you're truly addicted as you've said and the way you've written your post it does sound like you might addicted then I'd suggest seeking professional help, being addicted to porn isn't something you want to go down because once you become addicted it will impact the rest of your life, you won't be able to form healthy attachments to other people. You won't be able to think about anything sexual without other urges. Its just plain out not healthy and can have huge psychological effects.

I'm not in the same boat, porn doesn't really exicite me but if I was you. I'd seek professional help. You're 17, it could just be phase and you might just be going through a long period hyper-sexual behaviour but since you've said this has been going on since 9 I'd say you need to find help.

My post probably hasn't been useful because all I've done is explain the addiction and told you to seek medical help but honestly I'd really consider talking to someone because porn, while it does sound like a novel addiction, it can have some serious psychological problems.