Porn addiction and the adverse effects that it can have on you is a hotly debated topic, with the UK government announcing exclusively to LADbible yesterday that there is set to be a crackdown on the industry.
This will see strangulation in porn becoming a ‘priority offence’ under the Online Safety Act as part of the wider crackdown on the industry.
In light of this, Strictly Come Dancing star and presenter Ore Oduba has bravely spoken out about his 30-year battle with porn addiction.
Speaking out in a new interview, Oduba stated that he had been struggling with porn addiction since he was nine years old, stating it had 'destroyed' him.
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Whilst many will hear the story and sympathise, but not relate, many may wonder if their porn viewing constitutes an addiction.
How much viewing of adult content constitutes an ‘addiction’?
As part of LADbible’s ‘For F*ck’s Sake’ campaign, we spoke to sexual and relationship psychotherapist Dr Paula Hall.
Dr Hall spoke about how you can know when your viewing constitutes an addiction, saying: "You kind of know in yourself… the first thing I want to say is that addiction is a continuum disorder.
"You get people very much at the milder end where it’s just a bit problematic, getting in the way a bit, stayed up too late last night, turned down the chance for real sex because I was watching porn, right to the other end where it’s definite addiction."
She explained this is where 'you’re completely preoccupied by [porn], all sorts of huge problems going on in your life but in spite of that you can’t stop'.
The FFS campaign has found that 77 percent of Gen Z consume porn, with over four in 10 saying that they worry they watch too much.
The sexual and relationship psychotherapist went on to add: "It kind of depends where you’re at on that continuum, basically the bottom line is you know you’ve got a problem if porn is causing issues for you but in spite of those issues you can’t stop.
"It should be a choice, it should be a recreational choice not something you feel compelled to do that’s causing problems in your life."
What has Ore Oduba said about his porn addiction?
Oduba spoke out on the We Need To Talk podcast, stating that a year and a half ago, he was able to 'escape' his addiction.
Speaking to Married at First Sight's Paul C Brunson, he said: "Nine, that is when my addiction started, when I was introduced to pornography, and I think only after everything that has happened, understanding how much of a thread that had been throughout my life, was I finally able to escape it."
He stated that he had been shown it by a friend’s older brother, but accepted that it had gone on to ‘destroying [his] life from the inside out.’
The presenter went on to add: “Whilst I wouldn’t say addiction set in immediately, the intrigue set in immediately and it didn’t take long for that intrigue to start running my mind over.”
Oduba spoke about how he became a ‘master masker’, hiding his addiction initially from his family and claimed he had to 'live two lives'.
If you want friendly, confidential advice about porn addiction, you can talk to Rehab Recovery. You can call 0800 088 66 86, request a call back, or speak to the 24/7 chat on their website.
This content is part of our FFS campaign, which aims to start honest conversations about pornography. Thanks to our partners Fumble, Movember and Pivotal Recovery for collaborating with us on this. Go to www.FFSProductions.com for more information, advice and support.
Topics: Strictly Come Dancing, Mental Health, TV and Film, Health, Sex and Relationships, Adult Industry
Michael Slavin