OnlyFans Addiction: How to Stop and Get Help Today
Clinical Review by:
Published:
Sep 26, 2024
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04:32 p.m.
ET
While internet pornography isn’t a new concept, the rise of OnlyFans has sparked a high level of interest and controversy, as some of the negative consequences of the platform have become more apparent in recent years. While there is an upside for content creators, who have seemingly unlimited earning potential behind paywall subscriptions, this also means that subscribers can spend limitless time and money engaging with varying forms of (mostly) pornographic content and its creators.
OnlyFans subscription basis and popularity skyrocketed during the global pandemic with its peak in 2021. Millions of subscribers continue to access explicit content at fast rates, raising concern as OnlyFans' addictive potential requires further research and support.
What is OnlyFans? How popular is it?
OnlyFans is an online subscription based platform where content creators can post content that is behind a paywall. Subscriptions start at just a few dollars a month and become more costly depending on additional offerings and features. Content creators can also charge more for direct personalized messages, pay-per-view content, live streaming and receiving tips from subscribers. OnlyFans reported over 220 million subscribers as of 2023, with over $6.6 billion dollars spent by subscribers on various features.
The platform is just as popular with creators, with over 3 million paid creators currently using OnlyFans. The company reported paying out over $10 billion dollars to content creators as of 2022. The majority of the content on OnlyFans falls into erotic or pornographic categories and is the most popular way for adult-content creators to monetize their skills.
How can OnlyFans be addictive?
Pornography addiction and internet addiction can collide when using a platform like OnlyFans. The availability of explicit content on OnlyFans, coupled with the ability to spend increasing amounts of money to access additional content can be a dangerous combination when casual viewership morphs into addictive behaviors.
There is a thrill factor that watching pornographic and explicit material can provide someone, and OnlyFans goes a step further by using real people (instead of actors) who can be directly accessed behind a paywall. OnlyFans boasts its success in being able to provide a connection between creators and subscribers which can prompt someone to use the site even more so than if they were just watching porn.
Watching pornographic material also stimulates the pleasure center of the brain, which releases dopamine and a rush that keeps viewers wanting more. OnlyFans meets the triple “A” of pornography: affordability, anonymity and accessibility, making it highly addictive.
Real-life stories of OnlyFans usage becoming a problem
A study based out of the UK found that in 2023 there was a 66% increase from the previous year in people contacting addiction treatment centers citing an addiction to OnlyFans.
Psychotherapist Tori McCarthy spoke to a male in his 20s regarding his OnlyFans addiction. This discussion revealed that he struggled to maintain sexual and romantic relationships because he preferred to spend his time online, engaging with sexual content he paid for through OnlyFans. He would spend hours online looking at and engaging with creators and it affected his job performance and ended his relationship.
This man's story is one of thousands that depict what the negative consequences of an OnlyFans addiction can look like. There is also the risk of financial implications due to the unlimited potential to spend more money to engage with creators on OnlyFans.
Another male reported spending over 8,000 Euros and maxing out credit cards on the platform. An addiction to OnlyFans can end up costing someone thousands of dollars if it remains unchecked.
Warning signs of an OnlyFans Addiction
Warning signs that someone may be addiction to pornography, and OnlyFans specifically, can include:
OnlyFans use negatively impacts daily life (relationships, work, personal hygiene, etc)
Obsessing over specific OnlyFans models or being fixated on their content
Developing unhealthy attachments or feelings of personal connection to OnlyFans creators
Trying to contact a creator outside of OnlyFans or seeking out detailed personal information
Crossing the line between reality and fantasy with content or creators
Financial burden increases due to OnlyFans use (excessive tipping or increasing subscriber status)
Feelings of anxiety, depression, stress or suicidal thoughts/feelings when not using OnlyFans
Decreased sexual satisfaction in real life
What treatment is available for OnlyFans addiction?
Assessments
It is difficult to accurately identify the impact that OnlyFans and pornography addiction have on the general population. Porn addiction is not recognized in the DSM-5 as a formal diagnosis and this makes treatment of OnlyFans addiction more challenging.
Birches Health offers a free assessment to help people impacted by porn addiction to identify if there is a need for treatment. Questions on the assessment can be used as a guideline to identify potential signs of porn addiction and connect someone with a licensed clinical trained in treating behavioral addictions like OnlyFans overuse.
Take a free self-assessment test for Porn Addiction now!
Educational Materials
Providing educational materials on the risks of porn addiction, including OnlyFans, can help individuals understand underlying causes and triggers and may motivate some to seek out help for their behaviors.
Birches Health offers notable resources and information regarding porn addiction:
Types of Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options available for OnlyFans addiction. Popular options include:
Individual psychotherapy
Couples or family counseling
Support groups
Medication-assisted treatment
Depending on the individual, a combination of these treatments may be necessary to help overcome an OnlyFans addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with OnlyFans addiction, Birches Health has licensed professionals that can help.
Treatment Providers
It is important to find a treatment option that best suits you when researching OnlyFans addiction support. Many providers offer inpatient and outpatient options for treatment, including virtual support from the comfort of one's own home.
Birches Health offers online treatment for OnlyFans addiction. Remote therapy is a great option for those who want to develop healthy coping mechanisms to replace an OnlyFans addiction and wish to have the flexibility and anonymity of treatment from home.
Treatment with Birches Health can begin with one of the following:
You can also call 833-483-3838 or email hello@bircheshealth.com to connect with someone at Birches today.
OnlyFans Addiction treatment process explained
Treatment for OnlyFans addiction is a process that includes a personalized approach to each person's own needs. After someone recognizes that they have an addiction to OnlyFans, they can begin to seek out support from a doctor or mental health professional.
During treatment, someone may learn about how OnlyFans addiction affects the brain and how certain triggers impact compulsive behavior and can lead to addiction. Psychotherapy techniques like Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are popular forms of treatment for OnlyFans addiction and help individuals identify negative thought patterns and change behaviors.
Relapse prevention is a crucial part of OnlyFans addiction treatment. Creating a plan that uses strategies for managing urges and triggers can help keep someone in recovery. Continued support with a therapist, support groups or utilizing medication in some cases can all help someone overcome OnlyFans addiction and adopt healthier life choices.
