Porn addiction is just a symptom not the cause?

Hi fellow fapstronauts,

I've come across this addiction recovery website stating that porn addiction is just a symptom not the cause of our troubles. I couldn't agree more. I've been trying to fight it nearly 2 decades without success. I had relatively long abstinence periods, thinking I was free of addiction, but didn't really break addiction cycle. As soon as my stress levels sky rocketed for one reason or another, I couldn't handle it and before I knew it I was back to compulsive PMO routine. I suffer from depression, anxiety and prolonged childhood trauma, so I can really find myself it this article. Are we so unsuccessful in breaking out of this addiction, because we try to get rid of a symptom not the causes, like trying to cure cancer with opioids? What are your thoughts?

"Addictions to things like sex and the internet are actually addictions of compulsion. Meaning that their is an addiction to the process rather than the thing itself. Internet use and sexual activity can stimulate dopamine production and cause a type of euphoria. People can get addicted to that feeling and crave more. Unlike substance abuse, however, process addictions do not rewire the brain in terms of tolerance or dependence. Whereas the brain learns to rely upon drugs and alcohol for survival, it becomes addicted to compulsive activity for pleasure. When the brain becomes completely chemically dependent on drugs and alcohol, the body goes into symptoms of withdrawal when those substances aren’t present. Process addictions do not create a physical reliance on, for example, the internet or sex. They might cause a psychological craving and obsession which leads to compulsive use.

Similar to drug and alcohol addiction, however, internet and sex addiction, do include the ignorance of consequence. People who compulsively use the internet or engage in sexually affiliated activities risk their jobs, become financially insecure, and damage relationships. Just like how an addict or alcoholic will use regardless of consequence, someone addicted to a process will continue to engage in it regardless of consequence. It seems, as addiction does to an outsider, they just can’t help themselves.

Compulsive process addictions are usually symptoms of deeper underlying mental illnesses. Depression, anxiety, and trauma are often discovered beneath the surface of process addictions. Substance abuse often accompanies process addictions."

soundrecoverysolutions.com/can-addicted-sexting/

 

I'm not sure about that. I'm very compulsive person by nature. I caught myself doing nothing that I "like" in moderation. Be it exercise, car racing, binge movie watching, gaming, binge sugar eating, coffee drinking etc. I wouldn't blame PMO for all my "compulsive" behaviors. PMO is just the worst of them.