…By Joseph Benjamin for TDPel Media.
Amid a growing number of individuals seeking medical help for porn addiction, the Pivotal Recovery Course has received ethical approval for the first ever pilot study aimed at helping individuals struggling with unwanted sexual behaviours and impulses.
The study is led by psychotherapist Dr Paula Hall and follows the CHOICE recovery model, which outlines six steps of recovery.
Participants will listen to 60 podcasts, with accompanying workbooks and further resources, free of charge.
Dr Hall operates the Laurel Centre, a private clinic that specialises in treating porn addiction.
Last year, the centre reported a sharp rise in the number of individuals seeking help for porn addiction due to the increased accessibility of porn online and remote work conditions.
Profits from the Pivotal Recovery Course will be donated to charitable organisations that undertake essential research and raise public awareness of porn and sex addiction.
The UK Addiction Treatment Group (UKAT) reports that 60,000 people visited its online porn addiction support site in 2022, highlighting the need for accessible and effective treatment options.
Analysis and Commentary
The pilot study for the treatment of porn addiction is a crucial step towards addressing a growing issue.
The increased accessibility of porn online, along with the pandemic-related shift to remote work conditions, has contributed to a rise in the number of individuals seeking medical help for porn addiction.
The Pivotal Recovery Course offers a potentially valuable resource for those struggling with unwanted sexual behaviours and impulses.
The free-of-charge study is a commendable effort to provide accessible treatment options and could have positive implications for the future of porn addiction treatment.
The profits from the course will be donated to charitable organisations conducting research and raising public awareness about porn and sex addiction, a necessary move towards addressing the broader societal implications of porn addiction.
However, it is essential to recognise the broader societal factors that contribute to porn addiction, including the accessibility of porn online and a lack of regulation in the porn industry.
Regulating the porn industry, like other industries that encourage behavioural addiction, such as gambling, could have far-reaching effects on preventing and treating porn addiction.
Overall, the pilot study for porn addiction treatment is an essential step towards addressing a growing issue, but broader societal changes are necessary to prevent and treat porn addiction effectively.