Rise in Men Seeking Treatment for Porn Addiction Linked to Relationship Damage
A growing number of men are seeking treatment for compulsive pornography consumption, with clinicians reporting a significant increase in cases linked to personal and relational distress.
Prof Colin O’Gara, head of addiction services at St John of God Hospital in Dublin, stated he is now receiving several referrals each week for this issue, a trend that has “100 per cent changed” in the last year. Approximately 80 per cent of those seeking help are men. Prof O’Gara, also a clinical professor of psychiatry at University College Dublin, emphasized the pervasiveness of online pornography as a contributing factor. “If you increase access to any process or substance, the end harm generally increases,” he said. “This is persistence with the behaviour in face of adverse consequences.”
He described the impact of compulsive porn use as often “carnage,” explaining that it “destroys relationships and it creates unrealistic expectations and it desensitised men to what would be considered normal, helpful intimacy.” The increase in reported cases highlights a broader concern about behavioral addictions and their impact on mental health. Prof O’Gara noted that these addictions frequently stem from underlying issues like trauma, loneliness, and a need for distraction, with pornography often serving as a “disease of distraction” rather than solely about sexual gratification.
Speaking yesterday at the 35th annual research conference held by the St John of God Research Foundation, Prof O’Gara also warned about the potential for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and robotics to exacerbate the problem. He pointed to the use of AI in gambling and the development of “AI girlfriends and boyfriends” as particularly concerning trends. This rise in addiction coincides with growing discussions about the impact of technology on healthy sexual development and relationships.
Officials say they anticipate continued monitoring of these trends and further research into effective treatment strategies.
