{
  "id": 288197,
  "title": "How a former GB Olympian curbed his porn problem - and the signs and steps to recovery",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/how-a-former-gb-olympian-curbed-his-porn-problem-and-the-signs-and",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-08T01:34:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c89n8j5e32do?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Freddie Woodward, a former British Olympian diver, discovered his issue with pornography during his teenage years. By the age of 12, he was frequently viewing \"hardcore\" content and watched adult material several times a day throughout his career, including while representing his country in the Olympics. Now 30, Woodward has shared his journey of overcoming his habit with the BBC, emphasizing the importance of shifting one's mindset to no longer be someone who watches porn, but instead, someone who does not watch porn, which requires significant effort.\n\nExperts, such as sex and relationship psychotherapist Silva Neves, note that \"porn addiction\" is not an officially recognized condition, but the issue has become more prevalent among his clients. While some clinicians categorize excessive porn use as a compulsive sexual behavior disorder, recognized by the World Health Organization, the NHS acknowledges that addiction to almost anything, including sex, is possible. Key indicators of an unhealthy porn habit include negatively impacting one's life, such as arriving late to work or prioritizing porn over personal commitments, struggling to cut back, and continued use despite decreasing enjoyment.\n\nFor a recovering addict like Craig, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic amplified his issues, as the stress and isolation compounded his dependency. Researcher Campbell Ince from Monash University emphasizes that while \"problematic porn use\" is widely acknowledged among clinicians, the causes and treatments remain uncertain. Factors such as trauma, childhood issues, and negative self-belief may contribute to the difficulty in managing this habit. Additionally, AI-generated porn exacerbates the problem by providing highly personalized content, making it even more challenging to quit.\n\nTo address a potential porn addiction, Ince recommends consulting with a qualified, experienced professional, ideally a registered psychologist, who can assess the situation holistically, considering co-occurring mental health issues. For Craig, therapy for his mental health revealed the extent of his issue, leading him to join a 12-step program for sex addiction, modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. This approach has helped him maintain his recovery, emphasizing the importance of making progress \"one day at a time.\"",
  "summary": "Experts share the signs to look out for if you are worried about your porn use, and how to seek help.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former British Olympian Freddie Woodward battled porn addiction from age 12.",
    "Experts categorize excessive porn use as compulsive sexual behavior disorder.",
    "Therapy and 12-step program aided Woodward's recovery."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Recovering from a porn habit requires a mindset shift and often professional help to address underlying issues, making progress one day at a time with the support of qualified therapists or support groups.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Health",
        "title": "How a former GB Olympian curbed his porn problem - and the signs and steps to recovery",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/how-a-former-gb-olympian-curbed-his-porn-problem-and-the-signs-and-290965",
        "published": "2026-08-08T01:34:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}