What is porn addiction? Is it even an addiction? What causes compulsive porn use — and how can people recover?
In this powerful episode of P-Word Talks, expert psychotherapist Paula Hall — one of the UK’s leading voices in sex and porn addiction recovery — breaks down the reality of problematic porn use today.
Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Paula explains:
✔️ The neuroscience behind compulsive porn use
✔️ Why shame keeps so many trapped
✔️ How porn addiction affects mental health and relationships
✔️ The truth about escalation and addiction labels
✔️ Why recovery is absolutely possible — and how to get there
✔️ How group work, therapy, and support make a difference
✔️ What society, families, and partners need to understand
Whether you’re struggling yourself, supporting someone else, or simply curious about this growing public health issue, this candid conversation will equip you with insight and hope.
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Chapters:
Meet Paula Hall, leading therapist in porn and sex addiction
How Paula began working in porn addiction recovery
What does Paula’s work look like today? (Laurel Centre, Pivotal Recovery, ISTAT)
How has porn addiction changed in the past 10–15 years?
Big misconceptions about porn addiction
Why is the term ‘porn addiction’ controversial?
What is compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD)?
Is porn addiction on a spectrum? Recreational vs compulsive use
Is it just about morality? Understanding moral incongruence
What happens in the brain when consuming porn? (Dopamine & neuroscience)
Why teens are especially vulnerable to compulsive porn use
Smartphones, dopamine, and porn: a perfect storm?
Protective vs risk factors — why some people are more vulnerable
Is there a typical porn addict? (Demographics, gender, age)
How addiction is often a way of coping with emotional pain
The CHOICE recovery model explained
What is full recovery from porn addiction? (Not just sobriety)
The disease model vs biopsychosocial model of addiction
Why group therapy is so effective for recovery
Inspiring recovery stories — lives changed through group work
How partners and spouses are impacted — and what they need
Common emotional responses of partners (rage, shock, confusion)
Why partners need their own recovery support
Fighting stigma around porn addiction
Public policy, education, and where society needs to go
The future: What needs to change in the next 10–20 years
Final thoughts & thanks to Paula Hall
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