Excessive viewing of pornographic materials can be an indicator of sexual addiction in adolescents and adults according to Eli Machen, LCSW, founder and president of The Omega Recovery Institute in Asheville, North Carolina.

Pornography has an effect on the brain for individuals who have experienced shame or inner conflict. The neuro-chemical rush that takes place while looking at pornography neutralizes this inner pain, thereby quickly hooking individuals. Once involved in pornographic materials, they keep coming back for more and still more.

Pornography provides very exciting and powerful imagery that is frequently recalled to mind and elaborated on in fantasies. Most clients find that in time they experience a need to increase the risk, intensity or frequency of their behavior to achieve the same feeling or neuro-chemical affects.

Once addicted, individuals cannot throw off their dependence on the material by themselves, despite many negative consequences such as divorce, loss of family, and problems with the law (job loss, harassment or abuse of fellow employees).

Machen is dedicated to helping not only those who suffer from sexual addiction but the spouses of addicts as well. He is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with an M.A. in Marriage and Family Counseling. He also was graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work.

As a Clinical Social Worker, he has treated approximately 3,500 sex addicts. This treatment includes many types of unwanted compulsive sexual acting-out, plus such things as exhibitionism, voyeurism, sadomasochism, fetishism and rape. With several exceptions, pornography has been a major contributor or facilitator in the acquisition of their sexual addiction.

In addition to the work being done through The Omega Recovery Institute, Machen has produced a video to give hope to spouses of sex addicts. Surviving Life with a Sex Addict, available through The Omega Recovery Institute web site, helps light the path of recovery for families affected by this addiction.

Following is a brief Question and Answer interview with Machen regarding this emphasis on Pornography Awareness.

Q: What is sexual addiction, and how much of a problem is it in our society today?
A: Sexual addiction is the continual repetition of sexual behavior with negative consequences. Most individuals can point to an age that the behaviors started and say they have increased in intensity, frequency, or danger over time.

Q: Even today, most people find sexual addiction a subject that makes them uncomfortable. People sometimes seem very unwilling to step forward and seek help or even ask questions about this illness. Why do you think this happens?

A: Most sex addicts experience a lot of shame around their sexual addictive behaviors. This shame and belief about themselves leads to covering up or being secretive with their behaviors, for fear of rejection or abandonment of loved ones.