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Freddie Woodward, once a teenage diver for Team GB and a former Olympian, confronted a significant challenge with pornography early in life. Reflecting on his experience, Woodward revealed, “Every time I sat down to revise, all I wanted to do was open those sites.” Despite his youth, by the age of 12 he was frequently accessing what he describes as “hardcore” content. His struggle continued alongside his sporting career, even at the highest level of competition, where he admits to viewing adult material multiple times daily. Now in his thirties, Woodward has shared with the BBC how changing his mindset was key to overcoming this habit. He stated, “You can’t be the person who is trying to quit porn. You have to be someone who doesn’t watch porn, and that takes a lot of work.”
The question of what constitutes an unhealthy relationship with pornography is complicated by the fact that “porn addiction” is not formally recognized as a clinical diagnosis. Silva Neves, a sex and relationship psychotherapist, notes that while many people face problems with porn, medical consensus on whether it should be treated as a true addiction remains divided. Campbell Ince, a researcher at Monash University in Australia, explains that while most clinicians accept the concept of “problematic porn use,” there remains much to learn about its root causes and effective treatments. This results in a lack of a universally agreed-upon symptom checklist or standardized therapy pathway for those seeking help. Sexual behaviour that feels compulsive and uncontrollable, causing distress despite repeated efforts to stop, aligns with the World Health Organization’s category of compulsive sexual behaviour disorder. As Dr. Paula Hall from the Laurel Centre explains, this disorder is recognized for behaviours out of control and impacting life negatively. The NHS also acknowledges that addictions can extend to a variety of behaviours, including sexual activity.
Identifying when porn use becomes harmful depends not on how often or for how long someone engages with it, but on the impact it has on their life. Neves points out indicators such as neglecting responsibilities—like being late to work or prioritizing porn over relationships—or engaging with it in inappropriate places like the workplace. Ince highlights the importance of whether an individual is able to reduce their usage and if viewing continues despite diminishing enjoyment. Craig, who considers himself a recovering addict, describes how the pressures and isolation of the Covid-19 lockdown exacerbated his loss of control. He recalled, “I didn’t know how to get it to loosen its grip on me.”
It is important to distinguish between feelings of guilt or shame due to personal or cultural beliefs and actual compulsive behaviour. Ince stresses that some individuals may feel they are addicted simply because they experience shame, even if their usage is minimal. Neves agrees, noting that someone might use porn frequently but not perceive it as problematic, while others might believe a small amount of use answers to addiction. Hall encourages a nuanced view, advising people to focus on the real effects pornography has on their relationships and commitments rather than labeling themselves strictly as addicts or not. Public figures such as TV presenter Ore Oduba have spoken openly about long struggles with porn addiction, underlining how underlying trauma can drive addictive use patterns. Oduba described how it had been “destroying my life from the inside out” and that his habit began “as a response to a lot of trauma.”
The underlying causes of problematic porn consumption are still poorly understood, according to experts. Ince acknowledges that research is advancing but far from definitive. Hall suggests that pornography can serve as a coping mechanism to escape stress or emotional pain, while predisposing factors like trauma or negative self-beliefs can make breaking free more challenging. Craig shared how porn became his default tool to manage life’s difficulties, feeling “broken” before finding recovery. The role of the digital environment is also highlighted, with Hall suggesting that online platforms are specifically designed to foster compulsive use through algorithms. Both Hall and Neves point out that the rise of AI-generated porn adds another layer of complexity by tailoring content to individual preferences, which may intensify the behavior.
For those concerned about their porn consumption, Ince recommends consulting qualified mental health professionals, particularly registered psychologists who can address broader mental health issues that frequently coexist with problematic porn use. Craig’s own therapeutic journey revealed the interconnectedness of his porn use with wider mental health struggles. He credits participation in a 12-step programme based on Alcoholics Anonymous principles with aiding his recovery, though he acknowledges the ongoing effort required, saying, “I feel I’m in a good place now, but also acknowledge the fact it’s one day at a time.” Currently, no centralized NHS service specifically addresses porn use problems, so support usually comes from local services, private clinicians, or online groups. Ince advises thorough research when seeking help, cautioning against generic or unvetted online advice. Approaches vary, with some practitioners encouraging full abstinence and others focusing on integrating healthier use into a person’s lifestyle. Hall emphasizes identifying underlying issues as a key treatment component and suggests practical steps such as installing blocking software or planning alternative activities during vulnerable times.
Despite these challenges, there is a call for more extensive NHS support, particularly for early intervention aimed at preventing problematic porn use from overtaking someone’s life. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson expressed concern about young individuals developing addictions and highlighted the importance of online safety laws designed to protect children from harmful content. This points to the ongoing public health and policy efforts to address the complex landscape of pornography consumption and its potential impacts
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