In the last 20 years or more a lot of information has come to the surface about the somewhat hidden issue of porn addiction for men. Although there had been options for guys to get their hands on porn long before the internet age, easy access to both free and paid website offering every type of fantasy and fetish have been linked to the explosion of guys that are becoming hooked on porn.

Initially professionals in this area of study reported that men were much more likely to develop porn addictions from simple online viewing because they were more visual in their response to stimuli. In other words, guys are sexually turned on by what they see. In contrast researchers also reported that women were more sexually attracted based on emotional factors and a less on visual images.

However, this is now seriously in question as more and women are reporting to therapists, spouses and family members that porn has taken over their life. No doubt access to online porn has contributed to the problem, but so has what society views as “normal” and “appropriate”. In fact, for many teens and young adults, viewing porn is seen as the normal way to learn about sexeducation and to even enhance their intimate relationships.

Viewing porn for women is just as risky as viewing porn for men, especially when the behavior starts when the women is in her teens and young adult years. In 2006 according to an online survey conducted by Internet Filter Review it was discovered that 6 in 10 women report viewing porn online and about 17% self-report as being addicted to porn.

So, how do you know if porn viewing is a pastime, curiosity, occasionally used to spice up the bedroom activity or a true addiction? To get an idea answer the following honestly:

1. Do you keep your partner or spouse in the dark about your porn viewing?
2. Do you regularly hide your web viewing history or have a hidden set of bookmarks and favorites that contain your porn websites?
3. Is viewing online porn a requirement of being able to become aroused prior or during sex?
4. Do you find that you view porn and seem to lose time or spend hours online when you have other things that need to be done?
5. Is viewing porn your way to deal with stress, anger, anxiety, depression, boredom, loneliness or unhappiness in your life?

If you answered yes to one or more of the questions above you may have a porn addiction. Just like any type of addiction seeking help is the first step in identifying the underlying issues and working to end the destructive behavior.

Sherry Gaba LCSW, Psychotherapist, Life & Recovery Coach is featured Celebrity Rehab on VH1. Sherry is the author of "The Law of Sobriety" which uses the law of attraction to recover from any addiction. Please download your free E books at  Contact Sherry for webinars, teleseminars, coaching packages and speaking engagements. Listen to Sherry on "A Moment of Change with Sherry Gaba" on CBS Radio.  Struggling with your own love junkie dramas? You're not alone. Join my free newsletter community to get the support you need to stop the madness before it affects your next relationship or the one you are in now.  - Get the Love You Truly Deserve!  Serving Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Malibu, Camarillo, Calabasas, Moorpark