How a former GB Olympian curbed his porn problem - and the signs and steps to recovery

Freddie Woodward, a former Team GB diver, struggled with a porn addiction that began in his teenage years. By age 12, he was visiting "hardcore" sites multiple times a day, even while representing his country at the Olympics. Now 30, Woodward shared his journey towards overcoming this habit with the BBC. He emphasized shifting one's mindset from "trying to quit porn" to "someone who doesn't watch porn," which requires significant effort.

Experts have differing opinions on whether porn addiction is a genuine condition or not. However, they all agree that it can become problematic if it interferes with one's life, causing distress and negatively impacting work, relationships, or daily activities. There is no definitive list of symptoms or treatments for porn addiction, but some clinicians consider it a compulsive sexual behavior disorder.

The NHS acknowledges that it's possible to be addicted to anything, including sex. To spot an unhealthy porn habit, one should consider if their use causes damage to their life, if they can control or reduce their habit, and if they continue watching despite losing interest. Craig, a recovering addict, experienced a loss of control during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, which marked a pivotal moment in his recovery.

Sex and relationship psychotherapist Silva Neves warns that feelings of distress due to social, moral, or religious reasons do not necessarily indicate an out-of-control habit. Similarly, Dr. Paula Hall advises clients not to focus on being an "addict or not" and instead focus on how much their porn use affects their studies, relationships, and other aspects of life.

AI-generated porn is exacerbating the issue by allowing people to create personalized content, making it harder to curb use. If someone is concerned about their porn use, Ince recommends seeking help from a qualified and experienced professional, such as a registered psychologist, who can address the issue holistically, considering co-occurring mental health problems.