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Treating Pornography Addiction: The Essential Tools for Recovery
This book carefully walks someone struggling with porngraphy through the steps to recovery. Dr. Skinner discusses how pornography becomes a problem in the mind and how it becomes addictive. Then he teaches the reader how to rewrite the patterns in the mind. It closes with the key steps of recovery. Included in the book is a brief assessment tool "Assessing Pornography Addiction."
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2005
231 people are currently reading
552 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 10, 2019
I almost feel like this would be a helpful book for anyone struggling with any form of behavioral addiction. You can simply replace 'pornography' with gambling, video games, shopping, internet...
The book is written in a very clear, digestible way and provides a myriad of resources and exercises for the reader. Ultimately it's up to you to set out a plan and put into practice everything you learn, and set yourself on the path to living a healthier and more fulfilling life. Hopefully I'll be able to do just that!
The book is written in a very clear, digestible way and provides a myriad of resources and exercises for the reader. Ultimately it's up to you to set out a plan and put into practice everything you learn, and set yourself on the path to living a healthier and more fulfilling life. Hopefully I'll be able to do just that!
May 28, 2019
It was recommended to me by a great friend to whom I own a lot .. it’s really a helpful book .. ! ❤️
December 31, 2021
An excellent book and well written. Suitable for all those looking to understand the behavioural addiction side of things at an intermediate level. Particularly helpful for upcoming therapists and psychologists to build foundational knowledge about pornography addiction and the differing levels of severity
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June 28, 2023This book is like an unstoppable force to the immovable object, in this case, porn.
Would recommend anyone to read (addicts/non-addicts/not-at-all-into-porn) this book. It helps better understand the addicts and also the recovery methods.
Only viewpoint that I don't agree with the author is the complete control we have over our thoughts. But a great book indeed!
Would recommend anyone to read (addicts/non-addicts/not-at-all-into-porn) this book. It helps better understand the addicts and also the recovery methods.
Only viewpoint that I don't agree with the author is the complete control we have over our thoughts. But a great book indeed!
November 19, 2021
This is a very important book.
As a recovering porn addict, this book is INCREDIBLE. The insights and help you can find in this book is needed in today’s day and age. Porn use is more rampant than ever before, and we ALL need to be informed and aware of its negative effects!
As a recovering porn addict, this book is INCREDIBLE. The insights and help you can find in this book is needed in today’s day and age. Porn use is more rampant than ever before, and we ALL need to be informed and aware of its negative effects!
October 20, 2018
I think this would be a good book for a facilitator to use in a porn addiction group. Very thorough and programmatic. It was just what I was looking for as a psychologist.
November 20, 2023
"Treating Pornography Addiction: The Essential Tools for Recovery" by Kevin B. Skinner addresses the pervasive issue of pornography addiction and provides practical tools for breaking the cycle of addiction. In a world where sexual imagery is easily accessible, the book acknowledges the serious consequences of pornography addiction on health, relationships, work, and overall well-being. Skinner emphasizes the importance of understanding the biochemistry behind addiction and provides a roadmap for recovery.
The book begins by exploring the chemistry of pornography addiction, delving into the way the brain associates stimuli with responses. Skinner explains that the release of chemicals such as endorphins, epinephrine, oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin during exposure to explicit material creates a state of high arousal. The addictive nature of pornography is attributed to the short-lived blissful state induced by these chemicals, leading to repeated viewing to reexperience that pleasure. A critical aspect of breaking the addiction cycle involves recognizing and understanding one's individual reaction sequence. Skinner describes the reaction sequence as the chain of responses that occurs when triggered by a stimulus, leading to the decision to view pornography or not. By developing a deep awareness of this sequence, individuals can identify triggers, emotions, thoughts, physical responses, and rational reflections, ultimately gaining control over their reactions.
Skinner emphasizes the importance of creating a game plan before attempting to break the addiction cycle. This involves establishing boundaries, setting specific goals, and running emergency drills to simulate challenging scenarios. Boundaries help mitigate vulnerabilities by avoiding triggers, and goals provide a sense of purpose and motivation. Emergency drills allow individuals to practice alternative actions when faced with temptations. The book encourages individuals to recognize the risks, identify triggers, and choose outcomes when confronted with thoughts encouraging the consumption of pornography. This three-step process enhances awareness and disrupts old behavioral patterns, facilitating the development of new, healthier responses to triggers.
Once the preparations are complete, the book guides readers through the action stage of recovery. This involves implementing the game plan, taking steps to change behavior, and experiencing shifts in emotions and confidence. Skinner emphasizes the importance of consistently putting the plan into action, turning tools and awareness into reflexes. The goal is to reach the maintenance stage of recovery, where difficult feelings recede, cravings diminish, and the tools become a reflexive part of daily life. Skinner concludes by highlighting the rewards of reaching the maintenance stage, where confidence and faith in the tools have grown, and the individual has gained a deep understanding of their addiction. The book emphasizes the ongoing journey of personal growth, acknowledging the challenges and celebrating the commitment and effort invested in breaking free from pornography addiction.
In summary, "Treating Pornography Addiction" provides a comprehensive guide to understanding, confronting, and overcoming pornography addiction. By combining insights into biochemistry, individual reaction sequences, and practical tools for recovery, Skinner offers a roadmap that empowers individuals to regain control of their lives and experience the rewards of sustained recovery.
The book begins by exploring the chemistry of pornography addiction, delving into the way the brain associates stimuli with responses. Skinner explains that the release of chemicals such as endorphins, epinephrine, oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin during exposure to explicit material creates a state of high arousal. The addictive nature of pornography is attributed to the short-lived blissful state induced by these chemicals, leading to repeated viewing to reexperience that pleasure. A critical aspect of breaking the addiction cycle involves recognizing and understanding one's individual reaction sequence. Skinner describes the reaction sequence as the chain of responses that occurs when triggered by a stimulus, leading to the decision to view pornography or not. By developing a deep awareness of this sequence, individuals can identify triggers, emotions, thoughts, physical responses, and rational reflections, ultimately gaining control over their reactions.
Skinner emphasizes the importance of creating a game plan before attempting to break the addiction cycle. This involves establishing boundaries, setting specific goals, and running emergency drills to simulate challenging scenarios. Boundaries help mitigate vulnerabilities by avoiding triggers, and goals provide a sense of purpose and motivation. Emergency drills allow individuals to practice alternative actions when faced with temptations. The book encourages individuals to recognize the risks, identify triggers, and choose outcomes when confronted with thoughts encouraging the consumption of pornography. This three-step process enhances awareness and disrupts old behavioral patterns, facilitating the development of new, healthier responses to triggers.
Once the preparations are complete, the book guides readers through the action stage of recovery. This involves implementing the game plan, taking steps to change behavior, and experiencing shifts in emotions and confidence. Skinner emphasizes the importance of consistently putting the plan into action, turning tools and awareness into reflexes. The goal is to reach the maintenance stage of recovery, where difficult feelings recede, cravings diminish, and the tools become a reflexive part of daily life. Skinner concludes by highlighting the rewards of reaching the maintenance stage, where confidence and faith in the tools have grown, and the individual has gained a deep understanding of their addiction. The book emphasizes the ongoing journey of personal growth, acknowledging the challenges and celebrating the commitment and effort invested in breaking free from pornography addiction.
In summary, "Treating Pornography Addiction" provides a comprehensive guide to understanding, confronting, and overcoming pornography addiction. By combining insights into biochemistry, individual reaction sequences, and practical tools for recovery, Skinner offers a roadmap that empowers individuals to regain control of their lives and experience the rewards of sustained recovery.
January 13, 2025
A very good resource to help both the porn addict and the person guiding their recovery. Skinner is generally secular in tone, although he takes the now-controversial view that there is such a thing as porn addiction. Perhaps most helpful is the description of the general pattern of recovery with specific examples of sticking points.
Most behavioral/process addictions would likely follow a similar approach, but porn addiction holds some unique aspects of sexual shame, family of origin sexual development, sexual and relational isolation, and religious demotivation. Skinner is definitely from the school that believes information about the addiction will be motivating to the addict; this doesn’t seem to work for everyone. The book is also significantly dated (2005) and only somewhat addresses online porn use. It predates smartphones.
On the whole, highly recommended for those who struggle with this and those who want to help them.
Most behavioral/process addictions would likely follow a similar approach, but porn addiction holds some unique aspects of sexual shame, family of origin sexual development, sexual and relational isolation, and religious demotivation. Skinner is definitely from the school that believes information about the addiction will be motivating to the addict; this doesn’t seem to work for everyone. The book is also significantly dated (2005) and only somewhat addresses online porn use. It predates smartphones.
On the whole, highly recommended for those who struggle with this and those who want to help them.
November 20, 2023
I love that this book exists, and I pray it helps those it was written for.
I decided to go for it because I have had boyfriends AND friends going through a more or less severe form of this, to the extent that a bond with their female partner was challenged.
The fact that it is professionally approached as any other addiction - with understanding mechanisms and various solutions and steps - is both fascinating and educative.
It was a 3 for me because I found it slightly boring from the perspective of having familiarizing myself with addiction in general, but a 4 to keep the score high and encourage those seeking help!
I decided to go for it because I have had boyfriends AND friends going through a more or less severe form of this, to the extent that a bond with their female partner was challenged.
The fact that it is professionally approached as any other addiction - with understanding mechanisms and various solutions and steps - is both fascinating and educative.
It was a 3 for me because I found it slightly boring from the perspective of having familiarizing myself with addiction in general, but a 4 to keep the score high and encourage those seeking help!
September 2, 2022
Practical and actionable, the title isn't a buy bait, it is the real deal. It guides you through the process, but the most difficult part is discovering in yourself the core reason you are doing something, and that is not an easy task, so there is the space where (maybe) counseling is needed for some people (maybe it was left that way of purpose). That is the only part of the book that could have been discussed more. The rest is excellent and to the point, nothing philosophical or some quack's opinion.
March 14, 2024
This was very informative. I inherited my 14 year old second cousin in 2020 and realized in 2023 that what I thought was a minor curiosity was actually very involved addiction. This booked really helped me to understand the specific issues with this particular addiction and how treating it is like treating no other addiction.
May 14, 2020
Way ahead of its time, really helped me understand how to deal with addiction and I liked the journal example shared. I'd definitely recommend it for someone who wants to get better in life by knowing how to deal with addiction.
October 12, 2023
It doesnt promote it really, but this book is very good at making you aware, mindful and thinking. It makes you think through the past so you arrive and can be aware of the present. Very interesting to me at least.
June 10, 2025
It has been 3 days since I read this and around 14 days since I am in recovery.
This book gave me so much insight into battling this demon and gave me strength to combat and helped me find my flaws and try to get better at each step of this journey
This book gave me so much insight into battling this demon and gave me strength to combat and helped me find my flaws and try to get better at each step of this journey
January 17, 2018
The audiobook pacing is terrible. I might give the printed version a try as there was a lot of valuable info here; I just couldn’t keep up with the narrator’s pace.
October 31, 2019
A really helpful tool for both clinicians and clients to utilize in treatment.
Want to read
November 19, 2019Hi
February 16, 2023
Great steps for recovery
December 26, 2023
Listened, didn’t read. I have all my clients read this book 3rd because there are some great tools that will help change behaviors, once one understands what their mind has created.
April 24, 2024
Seems like solid, practical advice.
October 23, 2025
Redundant
January 25, 2021
Deep SEATED, not SEEDED!
November 28, 2022
A decent necessary book
I like this book but I think a later or updated version is necessary because of the amount of free porn on the internet.
I like this book but I think a later or updated version is necessary because of the amount of free porn on the internet.
March 11, 2015
pretty good book. I think it would be helpful for someone to read to help supplement counseling and a 12 step meeting. I don't think this is a complete book when it comes to being a "one stop shop" to help with an addiction. I think it was well done.
June 2, 2012
Amazing book for treating pornography addicted clients!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews