Myths about pornography

Pornography is an addiction that can enter your home for free, through your smartphone or pc. Learn facts about pornography and its potential impact on you and your family.

There was a time in our society that school children were taught by their peers  that cigarette smoking didn't cause cancer. The tobacco industry profited from their parents' smoking while thousands died. Now another industry profits from an addiction that can enter your home, free of charge, on your smartphone and Pc.

Flash forward to today and ABC News reports, "Pornography has grown into a $10 billion business — bigger than the NFL, the NBA and Major League Baseball combined — and some of the nation's best-known corporations are quietly sharing the profits." Motivation to continue to sell their product to you, your children, your spouse and anyone they can.
As a society there are several myths about pornography, collective beliefs that have been shared over the years. For example:

o    It is just a picture. It doesn't hurt anyone.

o    It is OK to look, but don't touch.

o    It doesn't change my relationship with my spouse.

o    Everyone looks at it, it is normal.

Take an honest look at the cost of pornography.

Pornography changes your brain

Research shows that pornography impacts brain chemistry, function and possible size. For example, dopamine is a chemical released in our brains when we feel joy and pleasure. Yourbrainonporn.com's educational series explains, "Porn overstimulated your brain, and your brain changed. Being hooked on porn is due to the same brain changes that occur with all addictions. These brain changes are behind your cravings. They keep you coming back to porn — even if you want to quit."

Pornography changes marital relationships

Dr. Julie Stattery in her article in Focusonthefamily.com explained, "After viewing material filled with perfectly shaped women doing wild and perverse acts, a man naturally may have difficulty becoming stimulated by his 40-year-old average-looking, reserved wife. In his clinical research, Dr. Victor Cline described this progression as "escalation." The brain's chemical reaction to pornography reinforces this.
Dr. Oz explains that pornography is now believed to cause people who view it not to be able to respond physically to their partner or enjoy sex with their partner.

Pornography is addictive

Fightthenewdrug.org share facts about pornography addiction. They explain, "It wasn’t very long ago that doctors and researchers believed that in order for something to be addictive, it had to involve an outside substance that you physically put into your body, like cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs — they all do the same thing to the brain: flood it with a chemical called dopamine. That’s what makes them addictive. Porn does the exact same thing. You see, your brain comes equipped with something called a 'reward pathway.'...The way it rewards you is by releasing dopamine into your brain, because dopamine makes you feel good... Porn is basically sexual junk food..." Eventually, just like with drugs, you develop a tolerance and need more and more. It begins an endless cycle like drugs, alcohol, gambling and other addictions. Teen brains are particularly susceptible as they release twice the chemicals of an adult brain.

There are victims

The addict may objectify actors, or not see them as people, but they are someone's daughter, sister or mother. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop explained to ABC news that actors and actresses suffer physical consequences as a result of their participation in the industry. Koop said, "We have an industry that is making billions of dollars a year, is spreading to cable television and to the Internet, and yet their employees are considered to be throwaway people."

Treatment is available

Whether you are a man, woman or teen, you have options for recovery. Recovery options include free local 12-step programs, Lifestar, Christian resources like Pure Life Ministries and LDS Family Services Addiction Recovery Program. Fightthedrug.org offers online resources for teens and more.
No matter what myths we are told, we now know that pornography is legal, it is harmful and can be addictive like cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. As parents we can keep our families safer by educating ourselves and making good choices.

ADDICTION BECOMES ATTRACTIVE, HERE ARE THREE REASONS WHY...

By Danica Tribel.

Behaviors equal unmet needs, and addictions are at the top of the list of cries for help. Understanding the need not only helps soothe the person suffering, it also digs up the root in order to be replanted in healthier soil.

Acceptance. Acknowledgement. Encouragement. There has never been a person living nor will there ever be one who doesn’t desire to be accepted, acknowledged and encouraged for who they are as an individual. It’s when any of those basic needs are not met that a person will reach out to the first place he can find to fit in. Whether it be a church, a gang, drugs, food, sex, games or alcohol, when someone feels lost and unloved they will search until they find anything that feels right to fill that void. When we dig a little deeper, however, we can trace the source of most addictions back to a lack of communication. If love is not expressed in a way the person is capable of understanding or receiving it, the search is on. Here are a few scenarios to help make this concept a little more clear.

1. Unfulfilled relationships with parents

Life is all about learning, and the way the School of Life lessons are taught can either make or break a person. Everyone looks to her parents to help her form her identity, yet most parents are teaching on a system which was handed down to them from their parents. Effective communication between parents and their children is one of the greatest lessons ever shared. It’s also one which is rarely ever studied in either school or life.
Parents, with no fault of their own, go through life implementing their own ideals and desires on their children without ever realizing their kids have a voice and a mind of their own. When children aren’t able to express themselves or their ideas, have every decision made for them or have no guidance whatsoever they begin to operate using a system based on a perceived lack of love, attention or worth. Because every person living was created to be accepted and be loved, children will instinctively begin to search for it anywhere they can find it if this basic need goes unmet. And so the cycle begins.

2. Unfulfilled relationship with a significant other

If communication and self-worth issues go unresolved or stay buried throughout the formative years and carry into adulthood, those same issues will have no choice but to show up in any relationship that forms outside of the family dynamic. It’s not uncommon for people to turn to their mates for rescuing and void-filling acknowledgement. Then, what generally ends up happening is the addictive behaviors get worse since communication breaks down, and the need to bury the pain of what’s considered rejection increases. When there’s no verbal outlet for frustrations or disappointments, the allure of escape moves to the top of the list of ways to cope.

3. Unfulfilled relationship with self

Lack of communication and lack of self-worth have a bond that is stronger than superglue. When a person internalizes her ideas, her fears, her pain or even her joy and has no outlet for expressing any of these thoughts, the chances of that person becoming an addict skyrocket. Without external feedback, whether positive or negative, it’s nearly impossible for anyone to function in life. Communication is the GPS of a person’s belief system. Until someone is able to use a device that’s properly calibrated that lost person will stop to get directions from the first place that looks attractive.
This is obviously the short list of many contributing factors to the pain behind an addiction. The best course of action for anyone struggling through, or even in the beginning stages, of a relationship with this type of behavior is to find a way to express oneself. Even if that person’s way of expression is not, in what most people would consider, the “healthiest,” do it anyway! This is no one’s business but the person who is hurting. The process is all about getting the pain, the thoughts and the self-abuse out of the person’s head to make room for even just one or two new positive thoughts – as difficult as that may be to comprehend.
Journaling is one of the most amazing and cheapest ways to get that process started. Writing out every single thing the person in pain has ever wanted to say to anyone who has ever wronged him, looked at him funny or even cut him off in traffic — and then destroying the pages so as to never have to see or deal with the pain again — can be far more powerful than years of talking with under-qualified friends or even some counselors. God has an uncanny way of revealing not only his true identity through pen and paper, but also the buried beauty of the person doing the writing. And the healing begins…

ADDICTED! What next?

You are an addict, though you have been in denial for a very long time. You know you need help, but don't know how to go about getting it. If you don't get help soon, you may not live long enough to be able to ask. Where do you turn? Who do you ask?

If you are suffering with addiction and finally realize that it is bigger than you are, that it consumes your thoughts, every moment of every day, then it's time to ask for help. You have tried to stop, but you feel so horrible, and you continue using just to manage your pain. You realize you can't do it by yourself and desperately need help but feel unworthy and embarrassed.

Recovery Begins Through Asking

Acknowledging you have a problem is actually the first step toward dealing with your addiction, and who better to ask for help than from those who care about you? Asking for help is a huge step in the right direction.

Perhaps you feel that admitting you are addicted to anyone is a sign of weakness, but in reality, it is a sign of strength and courage: one that provides hope, for both you and your loved ones. But how can you tell them about your addiction, let alone ask them for help?

You're Not Suffering Alone

You may think you have kept your addiction secret, but most likely those who care about you-your family or friends-already know. Addicts don't suffer alone. Friends and family are just as affected as you but in different ways. Reaching out and asking for help could be the greatest blessing in both of your lives.

Ridding yourself of addiction isn’t easy and could prove to be one of the most difficult things you will ever do, but the payoff will be far greater than the price you are now paying. Besides the help of family and friends, you will need the help of professionals who are trained in dealing with addictions. Your addiction has taken a great deal of time to get to the point you are at now, so you need the help of those who are trained and experienced to make recovery happen.

You have nothing to lose but everything to gain, so just do it. Ask someone for help. Don’t be ashamed or let fear stand in your way of recovery. Everyone is in need of help, in one form or another at some point in their lives, so don’t be afraid to ask. It is a very humbling experience, but if you don’t take the risk and seek help now, who knows how much longer you will even be around to have the opportunity to ask.

Trust a Higher Source of Power

Right now, you are at a turning point with your addiction and besides your family, friends and professionals, you also have your Heavenly Father to turn to. Put your trust in God. He will be there for you and always has been; even when you pushed Him away, He was there. He knows your heart, and loves you dearly. Let Him into your life to help you with your recovery. When you can turn your mind and will over to the Lord, understanding you are powerless over your addiction, that is when the healing begins. Your heart will turn, and your desires will change.

You, who have been lost and have lived with anger, lies, self-loathing, depression, anxiety and fear, can once again find peace and healing. You can break the chains of addiction and experience the change of heart that comes through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ, all things are possible.

"...Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened..." Bible, Matthew 7:7-8. If you struggle with an addiction, don't hesitate. Speak to your loved ones today and ask for help. Pray for help from God, too. Lose your fear and start knocking!

HOW TO RECOGNIZE ADDICTION THAT STEAL OUR TIME.

God’s words in Jeremiah 2: 11-13. reminds as this, “My people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit ... They have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed ... out ... broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” (KJV)
We all engage in pursuits that we know aren't the best use of time. But how can we tell when it's an addiction, and how does God feel about such behaviors?

Alcohol, social media, cigarettes, video games, pornography, shopping, gambling, drugs and food are all things that many of us enjoy, devote time to, or obsess over. Some of these pursuits are worthwhile, some are fun, and some are dangerous and unhealthy. All are common addictions.

A great irony is the thought, “I can make my own decisions. I don’t have to follow stupid laws. It’s my body and my life.” Teens often think this way as they yearn to assert independence.

True, we all have the agency to make our own choices and follow our own paths – which is a great thing. It’s how we learn, stretch and grow. But this mentality often leads to experimentation with unhealthy substances and behaviors. It leads to broken families and broken laws — whether God’s laws, laws of our land or codes of conduct for healthy living.

For example, we can teach our kids that going to a party and using the drugs offered may seem like a thrilling display of freedom. Spending hours and hours each day with a video game may be your choice of “down time” or “me time.” But once you’re ensnared in the web of addiction, your freedom to act is suddenly very limited.

“God intended that men and women would be free to make choices between good and evil. When evil choices become the dominant characteristic of a culture or nation, there are serious consequences ... People can become enslaved or put themselves in bondage not only to harmful, addictive substances but also to harmful, addictive philosophies that detract from righteous living,” says attorney and religious leader Quentin L. Cook.

God lamented the behavior that led to the destruction of Jerusalem. The Jews transgressed God’s laws and turned aside from him. They began worshipping idols, and “that which doth not profit.”

When we turn aside from worthwhile endeavors or relationships with family and devote our hours and days to worthless or dangerous behaviors, we become captive to those pursuits. Video games, online shopping or drinking may be rationalized as fun, innocent pastimes, so they may not feel like bondage. But, “Bondage, subjugation, addictions and servitude come in many forms. They can be literal physical enslavement but can also be loss or impairment of moral agency that can impede our progress,” warns Cook.

Our kids often model our behavior. When we get caught in an addiction, our kids may imitate our actions or turn to other risky behaviors. In an article entitled “Recognizing an addiction problem,” Mara Tyler outlines the signs and warnings of addiction.

Early behavior

“If a person is particularly drawn to an activity or substance, seeks out situations where he or she can experiment or experiences episodes of bingeing or loss of control, an early addiction problem may be indicated,” says Tyler.

Alienation

Tyler points out that addicts tend to associate with those who encourage and mirror their addictive behavior. Alienation progresses over time as addicts try to hide their addictions from loved ones. Eventually, they often cut off contact with their families and friends.

Changes in health

“Whether the addiction is substance-based or behavioral, the addict will almost always experience a decrease in quality of health,” says Tyler. This can include physical conditions and mental or emotional health.

Consequences

Poor grades at school, injuries or hospitalizations, a tarnished reputation, or the loss of a job or parenting rights are some of the consequences of an addiction, says Tyler.

Excuses

Tyler says addicts commonly make excuses to “deny the severity or seriousness of the addictive behavior ... While a non-addicted person can usually recognize a negative behavior and choose to eliminate it, this is typically not the case with an addict. Rather than admit the presence of a problem, an addict must convince himself and others why it’s acceptable to continue the behavior.”

The freedom to make our own choices is a great blessing. But it’s important to choose wisely so that we can enjoy life to its fullest. If we do become entrapped by our vices, we can turn to God for help. We can teach our kids to do the same.

Cook says, “We must always remember that we do not save ourselves. We are liberated by the love, grace and atoning sacrifice of the Savior ... If we are true to his light, follow his commandments, and rely on his merits, we will avoid ... bondage as well as the lamentation of wandering in our own wilderness, for he is mighty to save.”