“Not Porn” Is Still Porn
For porn addicts, “not porn” is imagery and sometimes “mind snapshots” of people who are not nude or actively engaged in sexual activity—i.e., not pornography—that are used the same way an addict uses porn. In other words, a porn addict can use “not porn” to escape into a la-la land of sexual fantasy—a “bubble” in which stress, boredom, shame, fear, and other forms of emotional discomfort disappear—just as he or she previously used actual pornography.
When that happens intentionally, such as surfing Instagram to view hot (but clothed) images, the addiction is alive and well and fully active. Sure, the addict may be in recovery with therapy and 12-step meetings and other support groups, but they are also still acting out in their addiction. It’s like an alcoholic who decides to control his problem by switching from vodka to beer. “If I stay away from the hard stuff, I’m OK, right?”
Wrong. They’re still using a form of addictive behavior to create an emotional escape. Which is what addiction is all about.
Sursa: Robert Weiss
