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Post by kennman on Mar 21, 2010 7:54:37 GMT -6
I am a intern in a post grad program working toward my LPC. I have a 25 year old male Caucasian client I am working with that is addicted to porn. He is not an offender but the porn is interfering with him committing to a relationship which was this client's report. He expresses a willingness to address this issue but I'm not sure how to approach this, my supervisor has suggested some books THE PORN TRAP being one, but I'd really like some hands on advice if possible. I have built a good repoire with this client and I'd really like to help him. Any guidance anyone could provide would be most appreciated.
Thank you
Ken Givings, MA
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Post by rgrant on Mar 21, 2010 17:36:30 GMT -6
Have you discussed with him his triggers which lead to porn use or his cycle of behavior related to it? I know others associate porn addiction to any other addicition (gamble, substance,...). What type of porn and the frquency of masturbation to the porn are also areas to investigate
bob from RI
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Post by kennman on Mar 22, 2010 18:43:13 GMT -6
Thanks for the response, I've looked at cues or triggers, there doesn't seem to be any, all that is needed is opportunity. He isn't as ready to talk about the type of porn, as I think about it I think it is important, thanks.... Ken
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Post by jlooman on Mar 29, 2010 5:47:26 GMT -6
It may seem like there aren't any triggers, but something must be driving the behaviour. We don't get "addicted" to something if it isn't filling a need. It may be that this behaviour has become such a part of his life that he no longer readily identifies a trigger but there is something that started it. Was/is he lonely? Does he feel inadequate concerning relationships, his ability to approach women etc? There is something going on.
Jan
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Post by docjan on Apr 19, 2010 9:37:06 GMT -6
I would agree that triggers are important to look at. I hear so many people say they have none or that it is "just an impulsive thing," when it seems they have developed such a habit of medicating so many needs with the problem behavior that they cease to look at the triggers anymore.
I would have him do an extensive history of the problem behaviors - maybe you could help with this, in person but also with a questionnaire that gets him to thinking more about the specifics surrounding the problem behavior and not just the behavior.
Good luck! Janice
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Post by diane0611 on May 19, 2010 7:50:40 GMT -6
Patrick Carnes work is most helpful with porn addiction and internet porn addiction. He has workbook available. The clients that I have worked with, with these issues discuss getting satiated (as in all addiction) and needing to take the porn fueled fantasties further which led to sexual abuse of available minors.
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jpz
Neophyte
Posts: 2
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Post by jpz on May 29, 2010 14:24:03 GMT -6
I do sex offender and substance abuse treatment, and in my experience porn addiciton falls more int the "addiction" aspect of treatment, which means you can look at that field for guidance on how to help this guy. 12-step programs can be helpful -- Sexaholics anonymous or Sex and Love Addicts anonymous. Patrick Carnes workbook, as someone else mentioned. Essentially, in the early part of treatment, it's much more about stopping the behavior than analyzing its precursors. That comes later. As for stopping the behavior, an alcoholic trying to stop drinking can't socialize in bars. This guy needs to get rid of his home computer. His form of "withdrawal" will probably manifest as anxiety of some sort and you'll have to help him figure out how to cope with that (like being with his significant other?). Hobbies, distractions. NOT masturbation, though that will be his first impulse. It will take time. He will have to find replacement behaviors, and when he has some "sobriety" behind him he can go back and try to figure out why he got addicted -- what needs he was trying to fulfill.
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Post by PMH on May 30, 2010 7:28:14 GMT -6
As for stopping the behavior, an alcoholic trying to stop drinking can't socialize in bars. This guy needs to get rid of his home computer. As our society becomes more dependent on computers, and as the internet becomes more intwined with our daily life, this solution becomes increasingly difficult. Internet can be accessed through TV and cell phones. It is a required tool for many jobs. The next big thing in computers is "cloud" computing, which means internet connectedness. Tracking software is available for SO's who are required or allowed to have internet access, and there is software out there to block certain kinds of sites. Still, the avoidance of technology technique is fast becoming difficult, if not impossible. I'm wondering what new techniques we need to develop? Maybe we should look at the food addiction research? PMH
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