What we learned about Sex and Porn Addiction in 2024

Key Points 

• Research is still lacking for Sex and Porn Addiction

• Mental Health diagnoses significantly impact the development of addictions

• Men are affected by Sex and Porn Addiction at higher rates than females

• Sex and Porn addiction are largely misunderstood by society and can be difficult to identify and treat

Sex and Porn Addiction have become more prevalent in recent years with higher rates of people seeking out specialized treatment for both issues. While there is a lack of research for Sex and Porn Addiction, 2024 was a year of progress on both fronts. With new treatment options and a better understanding of the individual and global impact of these addictions, Sex and Porn Addiction research is leading the way towards better support and outcomes for those who need help. 

Sex Addiction learnings from research studies and trends

Childhood Trauma and Emotional Abuse

The University of Georgia recently published findings that childhood abuse and trauma have a direct correlation to the development of addictions. Early sexual and emotional abuse were significant predictors of developing sex addiction, specifically in males. Unhealthy attachments that developed during childhood were also a contributing factor to the development of sex addiction. Almost 26% of the study participants screened positive for sexual addiction.

Number 10 Most Common Addiction In 2024

Addictions are one of the leading concerns for Global Health, including Sex Addiction. Sex Addiction took the number 11 spot in the list of common addictions. Sex addiction is often mislabeled and can make identifying the symptoms difficult to seek out treatment or support. There are still many unknowns surrounding sex addiction still and if there are formal diagnostic criteria created in the DSM-5, it may be even higher on the list of most common addictions in years to come.  

Connection To Mental Health

While the decision to exclude Sex Addiction from the DSM-5 remains controversial among mental health professionals, there are factors that have been found to impact the likelihood that someone will develop sex addiction. Co-occurring mental health disorders are often found with those who have symptoms of sex addiction. Common mental health concerns that are linked to Sex Addiction are trauma, low self-esteem, Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse. 

Sex Addiction Statistics 2024

As of 2024, Sex Addiction affects anywhere from 3%-6% of the United States population. In the U.S 10.3% of men suffer from compulsive sexual behavior while only 7% of women do. Male sex addicts tend to engage in voyeuristic and anonymous sex while females were more preferential to exhibitionism, trading for sex, pain exchange sex and fantasy sex. There is an issue with current research and a lack of diversity in the races who are studied for sex addiction, with samples being primarily Caucasian. Porn addiction is also the highest comorbidity with sex addiction. 

Porn Addiction research, statistics and trends from 2024

Higher Rates of Depression/Loneliness

The Institute for Family Studies conducted a study of those who consumed pornography on a regular basis. The outcome of the study found that one third of those who watched porn admitted to feeling “down, depressed or hopeless” most of or all of the time, versus those who did not watch porn at all. The significance of loneliness was another key finding in this study, with 36% of daily porn viewers stating they felt lonely most or all of the time. 

Labeling is Potential Harmful

A study published in The Archives of Sexual Behavior explored how labeling someone as a porn addict can negatively impact personal and relational outcomes long term. The study indicated that being labeled a porn addict made communicating difficulties with porn uncomfortable in relationships and also led to higher rates of failed relationships versus those who were not labeled porn addicts. Those who had their porn issue label as problematic porn use had more positive experiences regarding long term relationship outcomes. 

Number 15 Most Common Addiction In 2024

Porn Addiction came in at number 15 of the most common addictions in 2024. Google saw a 100% uptick in porn addiction term queries including:

• Porn Addiction Effects

• Porn Addiction Symptoms

• Porn Addiction Withdrawal

• Porn Addiction Treatment

• Porn Addiction App

With only 5% of the U.S population currently identified as Porn Addicts, this number may be on the rise in upcoming years. The U.S is also the country with the highest rates of porn consumption and men are more likely to be addicted to porn, with 11% of men indicating problematic porn use versus only 3% of women.

Focused Ultrasound and Porn Addiction

The Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute conducted a clinical trial using focused ultrasound to help treat addiction, specifically Porn Addiction. This method uses ultrasonic waves aimed at the nucleus accumbens which is a part of the brain involved with addiction, anxiety disorders and the reward center. The goal of this process is to reset or mute the cravings that make addiction hard to treat. Patients are shown pictures that stimulate their addiction cravings, such as porn, which helps ensure the area of the brain associated with addiction is able to be pinpointed during the thirty minute treatment. This method could be revolutionary in treating porn addiction, which currently does not have any formal or specialized treatment. 

Global Impact of Porn Addiction

An international study that included thousands of participants across 42 countries suggests that the impact of porn addiction may be as high as almost 17% globally. While many studies had previously only focused on specific demographic groups of porn users, for example white males in the United States, this study aimed to look at porn use across all genders, socioeconomic statuses, ages and Non-Western cultures. The greatest take away from this study was that problematic porn use is just as common and widespread across diverse groups as any other mental health disorder. 

Specialized treatment for Sex Addiction and Porn Addiction

Treatment for Sex Addiction and Porn Addiction will vary based on the individual and what access to care they may have. Typical treatment for both additions may include inpatient treatment, outpatient services, individual or family counseling, national and state hotlines or mutual support groups. 

Another beneficial option for treating both Sex and Porn addiction is virtual therapy. These types of therapies are very specialized and it may be difficult to find in-person treatment located near an individual's home. Virtual therapy allows more accessibility and flexibility for those seeking out treatment. Birches Health offers 100% remote treatment with therapists who specialize in treating sex addiction and porn addiction. 

Reach Out to Birches Health

• Book an Appointment with a Therapist

• Call 833-483-3838 

• Email hello@bircheshealth.com 

Sources: 

• Study links childhood trauma, emotional abuse to sex addiction in men

• 15 Most Common Addictions In 2024: From Drug Addiction To Porn Addiction

• The Real Connections Between Mental Health and Sex Addiction

• Sex Addiction Statistics

• New study finds regular porn usage linked to higher loneliness, depression

• The potential psychological harm of being labeled as “addicted” to pornography

• Groundbreaking Research: Is Focused Ultrasound a Cure for Porn Addiction?

• New research sheds light on the global impact of problematic pornography use