Porn star quits industry, joins fight vs. "new drug" pornography
Published:
Feb 26, 2026
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06:51 p.m.
ET
Growing concern about the psychological and social impacts of pornography isn’t just coming from researchers and clinicians anymore. It’s now coming from inside the porn industry.
Markie More, a 26-year-old gay porn star who spent six years performing in dozens of films, publicly announced his decision to leave the industry and speak out against pornography and how it harms people. In an interview and story reported by EWTN News, More described pornography as something that escalates over time, stating, “[l]ust is a monster, and the more you feed it, the hungrier it becomes.”
More says he is not out to spread hate. Rather, his decision is driven by having witnessed how porn has destroyed countless people, relationships and families. It’s also notable that More’s resignation from employer Next Door Studios comes five months after he accused the VP of production, Rocco Fallon, of making violent threats. Porn star Paul Canon allegedly left under similar circumstances and motivating factors.
There is a growing sense that the industry encourages behaviors disconnected from real intimacy. More now describes himself to be in a state of recovery. In his X bio, he now directs people struggling with compulsive porn use to Fight the New Drug, an organization focused on science-based awareness of pornography’s risks.
His story sparks questions being asked within larger cultural and clinical discussions:
Can porn function like an addictive substance?
How does early exposure shape behavior?
Why are some experts now referring to porn as a “new drug” of the digital age?
Is Porn Addiction real? Can it be diagnosed?
The mental health community is divided on formally recognizing porn addiction, compared to other addiction disorders. “Porn addiction” is not listed as a diagnosis in the DSM-5, but there is increasing agreement among clinicians that compulsive porn use can function as a behavioral addiction for some individuals. The core issue is not how habitual porn consumption is, but whether use becomes compulsive and continues despite clear negative consequences on personal, social and professional levels.
Pornography is anonymous, free, endlessly available online and feeds the brain novel experiences for continued dopamine spikes. Repeated exposure may condition the brain to require more extreme content to achieve the same effect. When porn becomes a primary coping mechanism for stress or emotional pain, the risk of addiction increases.
Clinicians identify warning signs similar to other behavioral addictions: loss of control, escalation of use, neglect of responsibilities, secrecy, shame, withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop and ongoing use despite harm to relationships or mental health. Diagnosis typically involves clinical interviews rather than a single test, focusing on how deeply porn use interferes with daily functioning.
Treatment options for Porn Addiction in the U.S.
Effective treatment focuses on the underlying drivers of compulsive behavior. Emotional regulation, coping skills and relationship dynamics tend to be central to recovery.
At Birches Health, you, a loved one or someone you know may benefit from specialized online treatment, anywhere in the United States. Licensed clinicians trained in modern behavioral addictions provide tailored care to each individual’s needs. Treatment commonly includes individual therapy to explore emotional triggers and patterns of use, along with structured clinician-led group therapy that supports accountability and long-term change.
Most Birches Health services can be covered by insurance, reducing or eliminating out-of-pocket costs. Virtual care allows individuals to access support privately from home, lowering barriers related to stigma or geography.
You can learn more or get started with Birches Health today:
Call 833-483-3838
Email help@bircheshealth.com
The line between normal, healthy porn consumption and addiction
Identifying a “line” in this case is not so much quantitative as it is qualitative. There is no set number indicative of addictive porn use. The question, rather, is whether consumption continues in light of negative consequences. Many can and do engage with sexual content without developing a problem.
A study conducted in Canada at Université Laval in Quebec of nearly 850 participants found that recreational users averaged about 24 minutes of porn per week, while those reporting compulsive use and high distress averaged closer to 110 minutes weekly.
But time alone is not a reliable indicator. Many individuals experiencing addiction underestimate or deny the extent of impact, particularly when it comes to intimacy and emotional availability.
Warning signs that porn use may be crossing into addiction include repeated failed attempts to stop, increasing secrecy, declining interest in real-world intimacy, mood changes, shame and using porn primarily to regulate emotions. When porn becomes less about pleasure and more about escape, professional support may be warranted.
Some U.S. states cracking down on porn
The legal system has been impacted by increasing concerns of pornography harm. In Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the Supreme Court upheld a Texas law requiring age verification for websites where more than one-third of content is considered harmful to minors. The Court ruled that adults do not have a constitutional right to avoid age verification, even when accessing protected speech.
Texas sued multiple major porn platforms, including Pornhub, and similar legislation is now being considered in other states. Pornhub has since ceased doing business in Texas altogether. Those in support say these laws help reduce early exposure. Critics counter with concerns over privacy and data security. Regardless, the decision signals that unrestricted access to porn carries public health risks.
Impacts of Porn Addiction
When someone stops using porn after prolonged, heavy consumption, withdrawal symptoms can occur. These symptoms are primarily psychological and stem from disruptions in dopamine regulation. Common experiences include mood swings, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, fatigue, depression, obsessive thoughts and temporary loss of libido. Withdrawal can significantly increase relapse risk without proper support.
Porn addiction has also been linked to sexual performance issues, mainly erectile dysfunction in young men. ED rates in men under 40 have risen sharply, with some studies finding that roughly one in four young men now experience some degree of erectile dysfunction.
Higher levels of porn use have been directly correlated with higher ED rates, potentially due to conditioning arousal to unrealistic stimuli and increased performance anxiety during real-world intimacy.
