Porn & Meth

RebeccaJac

Today in a class on families we were discussing dysfunction in families. Pornography addictions came up and a therapist informed us that pornography addictions are on the same level of addictions as meth. Because the images produce a higher high and can be instantly obtained, and repeatedly experienced, coupled with the fact that orgasm releases the largest amount of dopamine into the brain creates one of the most intense addictions possible. 

I found this shocking and not at all consistent with how most churches and Christians handle the issue of pornography addiction. Most often I see it dealt with "you shouldn't do that, so stop" mentality. 

Had anyone heard this? 

ElisabethJoanne

I haven't heard about the biology of addiction and porn per se, but I've studied both formally and informally lots about mental illness and brain chemistry and brain structure and other biology, and socially unacceptable behaviors like addiction, violence, distraction, rudeness, etc. It can actually be kind of scary how much genetics/biology plays into what we're used to calling "sinful" or "criminal." My future husband has a mental disability that in earlier times would have just got him labeled a "free spirit" and "ne'er do well," but now we recognize as a disability to be worked around with special communication and planning techniques, just like we work around his lactose intolerance.

When I say "scary," I mean it can challenge our whole ethical systems. Can we  punish someone the same as a "normal" person if he had a genetic mutation that made him twice as likely to commit a violent crime as a "normal" person? I think on the Last Day we're going to discover that a lot of "horrible evils" weren't so evil in God's eyes because of how biologically predisposed the person was (and likely that a lot of "no big deals" were actually horrible evils because of how free and conscious the choice to sin was in the individual sinner).

GunzNRoses213

I had not heard that but it does not suprise me.

toothpastechica

CBT (cognative behavioural therapy) is great for the non-substance addictions (and even high success with substance users as well!) Do some research on it and on nueral placisity...some pretty amazing stuff!!! God made us with some pretty amazing brains that, even with an addiction present theres always a ton of biologically proven evidence change is still possible!

RyansBelovedBride

I hadn't heard the meth comparison; I'm very aware of how the church is faiing those struggling with sexual addictions. My Ryan woudn't mind me sharing he has battled these struggles. It's given him a heart for this issue and he wants to help other men.

2012FutureMrsB

And men aren't the only ones. We often forget that women can have addictions to porn too. I grew up in a conservative Christian family and never even considered porn. Then I got older and never had a serious relationship and wondered if I'd ever meet anybody and get married and have sex .  . . or even have my first kiss! One thing led to another and soon after my FI and I started dating (long-distance) I got sucked into porn.

It all started out of curiousity b/c I didn't want to meet this guy and not even know how to kiss! I started watching videos of people making out and that led to more . . . eventually I was hooked and couldn't stop. But after a couple of months, God convicted me of this and I cried out to the Lord for freedom. It took a few more weeks after that, but slowly I started weeding it out of my life. It's been over a year since I completely stopped, but I still have a few images come back to mind now and then and I'm reminded of those short few months that implanted so many images in my mind! Ugh. However, I release my guilt and shame to God and receive his freedom every time the images come to mind.

I've talked to FI about this, so he knows everything. He was very surprised to hear that a GIRL would have this sort of problem, lol. But we've prayed through it and I've moved on. It was definitely a strong addiction, but fortunately, I made a choice to let God heal me of it before it lasted too long. It still wasn't easy, but I imagine it wasn't as hard to stop as someone who has been doing it for years.

2012FutureMrsB

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_porn-meth?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:131bf7d7-23b8-4a40-9f2b-43c18ccd77e9Post:e35f75c4-7b57-4b89-a480-30e2aee93949">Porn & Meth</a>:
[QUOTE]Today in a class on families we were discussing dysfunction in families. Pornography addictions came up and a therapist informed us that pornography addictions are on the same level of addictions as meth. Because the images produce a higher high and can be instantly obtained, and repeatedly experienced, coupled with the fact that orgasm releases the largest amount of dopamine into the brain creates one of the most intense addictions possible.  I found this shocking and not at all consistent with how most churches and Christians handle the issue of pornography addiction. <strong>Most often I see it dealt with "you shouldn't do that, so stop" mentality.</strong>  Had anyone heard this? 
Posted by RebeccaJac[/QUOTE]

And to respond to this, it is true that a lot of churches say that, but if you look deeper, (I hope) you will find that the church has help for those addicted to porn. (I'm sure some don't, but in my experience, some do). The churches I've attended in the past few years each had a program called Celebrate Recovery. It's for people with hurts/habits/hang-ups that they want to experience freedom from. It's similar to AAA and has steps to follow, but it also uses the power of scripture and prayer to help people overcome their addictions. I've seen the Holy Spirit break through a lot of bondage in people's lives, including porn.

So although some churches might not address the "addiction" of porn, many others do, and they have support programs for it.

2012FutureMrsB

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_porn-meth?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:131bf7d7-23b8-4a40-9f2b-43c18ccd77e9Post:8351d091-3bc8-4679-8551-e58e5b1e8114">Re: Porn & Meth</a>:
[QUOTE]CBT (cognative behavioural therapy) is great for the non-substance addictions (and even high success with substance users as well!) Do some research on it and on nueral placisity...some pretty amazing stuff!!! God made us with some pretty amazing brains that, even with an addiction present<strong> theres always a ton of biologically proven evidence change is still possible</strong>!
Posted by toothpastechica[/QUOTE]

Yes! And I agree with PP's that some people are genetically "wired" with addiction tendencies. But that's not an excuse to sin! ALL of us are "born" with the tendency to sin, some in different ways than others. The Bible even supports that! We are all born with the sinful nature b/c we're all descendants of Adam. And as sin continues to permeate the world, even DNA is affected (I've read research on this in my seminary classes). It's kinda scary when you think about the overall picture, but sin had been casting a dark cloud on the earth ever since Adam and Eve gave into temptation.

The Bible says that even nature is groaning and is awaiting the return of the Savior, who will restore the earth to it's original design, a design without the affects of sin. So even though we're all born with a sin nature, we can't use this as an excuse. The Holy Spirit provides freedom to all who ask for it, no matter had badly your genetics are "wired."