Aug 18, 2022
Scott Brassart is the Director of Content Development at Seeking Integrity. He writes all the content at Seeking Integrity and has worked directly with Dr. Rob for more than 10 years. Scott also teaches a lot of the courses at the treatment center. In this episode, Dr. Rob and Scott sit down to discuss porn addiction, the definition of porn, and how anybody, no matter their class, can be subjected to porn addiction. Addiction is a mental health issue. It’s an indicator that people are unable to go to someone for help, or comfort, and that’s why they seek external ways to cope and escape.
TAKEAWAYS:
[4:20] How do you define porn in the digital age?
[5:30] Is ‘OnlyFans’ considered porn?
[9:10] If you’re using something for the purposes of arousal, even if it’s not ‘porn’, then it is still classified as pornography.
[11:10] What’s the difference between casual porn use vs. you having a problem?
[13:55] It’s not about how much porn you look at, it’s about what it does to your life.
[18:25] At some point, you lose control over the behavior. There are casual users, there are at-risk users, and then there are addicts. Scott explains the difference.
[24:20] Porn addicts know, deep down, they have a problem.
[25:45] Porn is not an age thing or a socioeconomic thing. These are real people of all ages, and demographics, struggling with loneliness.
[27:20] Porn has gotten more advanced. You can now build a sexual connection with another person with a computer/cellphone.
[30:15] What is the appeal of pornography?
[33:15] If you’re looking at porn, chances are you’re also looking at victims of sex trafficking.
[37:15] Look forward to part 2 of this episode coming soon!
RESOURCES:
Cruise Control: Understanding Sex Addiction in Gay Men
Prodependence: Moving Beyond Codependency
QUOTES:
- “Porn is imagery or written text that we use to get aroused. Sex addicts and porn addicts not only use it for purposes of arousal but purposes of escape.”
- “For porn addicts, it’s easy to rationalize Game of Thrones or cruising Instagram or OnlyFans. Technically you’re still sober from your porn addiction, and my answer is not so much.”
- “Addicts are people who are really, really hooked. Life is going good, they’re using porn. Life is going bad, they’re using porn. The sun is up, they’re using porn. The sun is down, they’re using porn. That’s an addict.”
- “As addicts, we’re afraid to be vulnerable. We’re afraid of rejection. We’re afraid that if we know the real us, you’ll run screaming.”