Trapped in a World of Darkness

It’s late in the evening and you are finally starting your homework after Facetiming a few friends, oh and turning off Minecraft or World Warcraft. Now it’s time to get serious and get some homework done that you see no point in the first place. You log on to your computer and begin working on the assignment, but off in the corner of your screen a pop up shows up drawing your mind away from what you really need to focus on. Taking a closer look when you know you shouldn’t but no one is watching anyways, so you click on the image and your screen brings to life a world that you have fallen victim to; the world of Internet pornography. A world which no one seems to notice because your computer is up in your bedroom, and you’re a trustworthy kid who is responsible, so your parents have no need to worry after all you have it all under control. You get to view things whenever you feel it is safe except now you are feeling trapped in this lie and a world that you feel you can never get enough of. You’re not alone!! The numbers of Internet pornography exposure and addiction are growing daily.

Want to know how it works? “Porn addiction is not as well researched as other behavioral addictions, like problem gambling or compulsive eating.  However, experts believe it works in a similar way. The addiction is not simply making a choice to watch or view that kind of material. Instead, it’s a compulsion with its roots in the brain’s biology. The visual stimulation creates a biochemical high in the brain’s pleasure center. Like other addictions, including substance abuse, porn addiction in teens is chronic and becomes progressively worse over time.” (TeenDrugRehabs.com)

Think your addicted? Take a look at these symptoms.

• Disrupted sleep routine or you are a moody person
• Loosing track of time when looking at pornographic images
• Staying in your room or other places to avoid family or friends
• Declining grades, lack of care about school or work
• The pornography seems to sooth your anxiety or stress
• Anger or irritable especially when confronted about pornography
• Chose to continue looking at pornography in spite of the consequences

(TeenDrugRehabs.com)

Need Some Help?

• Tell a trusted adult about your problem. This may be a family member, a neighbor, school counselor, doctor, or any adult that you feel you comfortable speaking with. The first step in getting help for any addiction is admitting there is a problem.
• Limit your chances of being exposed to the Internet
• Seek outside help-pastor, counselor, family doctor. This is not something that will likely go away at night, it will take time, patience, obedience, and discipline
• Find an accountability partner. This battle will take more than you to fight. Have someone who will keep you encouraged especially on the days that are the hardest to overcome.
• Pray-You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13) The battle of pornography addiction can be won, but not in your own strength. You will need God to fight the battle right beside you.

Pornography in itself is a dark and dangerous world. If your mind is flooded with garbage, then your entire body will begin to produce garbage. Do not be afraid to seek help before this minor click of a few images begins to destroy your life.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, “ (Matthew 6:22)