Viagra and the Internet have changed the cultural landscape in the decades since they were introduced. But their popularity has resulted in growing numbers of young men addicted to one or both. How are they related and does pornography addiction cause Viagra addiction?
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- The surprising, but not so shocking, connection between porn addiction and Viagra addiction. #internet #addiction #Viagra #porn #addiction #recovery
- Is it possible for young men to become addicted to Viagra as they spiral deeper into porn addiction? #Viagra #ViagraAddiction #pornaddiction
Viagra, the “little blue pill”, reached a recent milestone, it’s 20th year on the market. It was released the same decade as the internet and both continue to play huge roles in today’s culture. Unfortunately, this has resulted in a growing number of young men addicted to one or both. How are they related and can addiction to internet porn lead to Viagra addiction?
Viagra is one of the most widely used and accessible drugs in the world. It was initially developed for men suffering from diseases such as diabetes and prostate cancer to treat their resulting erectile dysfunctions. Today, the fastest growing group of users, and addicts, are young men between 15-30. It is commonly used recreationally for hook-ups and is often combined with other drugs or alcohol to achieve a highly sensualized state. A silver bullet to boost a young man’s self-confidence and overcome symptoms of psychological or physical impotence. When taken over time, however, a tolerance is built, higher doses are needed to produce the same effect and a dependency can form. Why would young men, at the peak of their virility, need a little boost to begin with?
One reason could be that the modern sexual culture has incredibly high expectations. Many young men claim they take Viagra to combat performance anxiety as a result of what they and their partners view via porn on the Internet; the expected ability to go on for hours. Just eight years before the release of Viagra, the World Wide Web was invented and many regard pornography as one of the driving forces behind its expansion. As a result, today’s youth has 24/7 access to sites that offer an encyclopaedia of porn at their fingertips. For most young men, their first sex educator was Internet porn. What often begins as a pleasurable pastime, can easily become an Internet addiction with severe consequences.
Internet addiction takes hold of the brain by creating a dependency on a behavioural process. The popularity and accessibility of Internet porn has created relationships with other substances, such as Viagra and new disorders such as PIED or porn-induced erectile dysfunction.
Internet Porn-Induced Erectile Dysfunction
Viagra is the magic cure for ED, erectile dysfunction, and is the go-to drug for treating it. However, a newly named disorder that is attracting a lot of research is PIED or Porn-Induced Erectile Dysfunction.
It seems unbelievable that something used to stimulate a man’s desire can end up killing it but studies have shown that is exactly what happens. And it doesn’t happen in the penis, it happens in the brain. Porn affects the brain’s reward centre in much the same way as alcohol and drugs do. Sex is how we further our species and is very important to our survival instinct, we have a built-in affinity for it. When one views a sexually stimulating visual, dopamine is released and we feel pleasure. We then crave that pleasure again and over time, need higher doses to achieve the same effect. Those higher doses take the form of viewing increasingly more graphic and explicit content over longer periods of time. This leads to the brain becoming desensitized, unable to experience joy in things that used to please it, and the body can become numb to personal touch. This can result in invariably more porn, isolation, anxiety and depression. Depression can also further contribute to erectile dysfunction.
To combat this a man may seek a prescription for Viagra, or if already taking the drug, increase the dose. Both Viagra and the Internet affect the body’s equilibrium and equanimity. When used together, they work double duty to try and stimulate an increasingly desensitized body and brain. In this way they feed off one another to deplete the body of physical and mental stimulation and a vicious cycle is created.
Viagra Addiction
Viagra addiction is a prescription drug dependence. While not physically addictive, men can become psychologically addicted. If they do not take it, they may not be able to be aroused and may have problems achieving regular erections. They feel that they cannot have a healthy sex life without it and become mentally dependent on it.
Men, regardless of age, who abuse Viagra often develop a tolerance to the drug and require larger doses to achieve the same effects. Obviously, this increases the risk of side effects from the medication.
Signs of Viagra Addiction:
- Flushed face
- Blurred vision
- Cold sweats
- Loss of emotional contact with a partner
- Loss of income to buy more drugs
- Higher doses needed to achieve the same effect
Internet addiction
Internet addiction is a process addiction which requires treatment to ensure lasting recovery. If you believe your internet use is causing problems in your daily life and relationships, intervention and treatment may be needed.
Signs of Internet Addiction:
- Irritability or moodiness when trying to reduce time spent online
- Using the Internet as a way to escape from other feelings of anxiety or depression
- Anxiety when there is no connection to the Internet
- Spending an increasing amount of time alone rather than connecting with others in real life
- Disconnection from things and people that once were pleasurable
The Edge is the Best Choice for Internet Addiction Treatment
The Edge is part of The Cabin Addiction Services Group, recognized around the world as a leader in addiction research and treatment standards. Our counsellors and professional staff are experts in substance abuse, behavioural disorders and mental issues. We provide support and recovery for concurrent disorders by treating them individually.
The Edge is a specialized programme for young men that offers a holistic approach to heal body and mind for lasting recovery. We utilize a version of the 12-Step philosophy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Our highly trained staff also incorporates counselling and therapy modalities to help you reclaim your life.
Changing habits or patterns of behaviour is critical, as is developing relapse prevention skills. Discussing your concerns and symptoms with a therapist is an important first step in determining how to address an addiction or dependence to the Internet or substance.
If you are concerned about the impact pornography is having on your life, contact us today for a free and confidential conversation about how we can help.