In a bid to address rising concerns over porn and sex addiction, Newcastle Sexaholics Anonymous has launched a new weekly meeting. This initiative aims to support individuals grappling with addictions to pornography, dating apps, and services like OnlyFans. The meetings, which now include a virtual option on Sunday nights, reflect a growing demand for support in the region.
A spokesperson for the Newcastle group described the effort as a “12-step fellowship that addresses sex addiction.” They emphasized the importance of community awareness, noting, “When you say the words ‘sex addiction’, people look terrified. There’s a huge stigma. Most people with a sex addiction are high functioning, with good jobs and family lives. It’s not what people would expect.”
Breaking the Silence on Sex Addiction
The initiative comes at a time when sex addiction remains a largely misunderstood issue. A member of the Newcastle group shared his personal journey to highlight the challenges faced by many. “I started to use internet porn and dating sites as a way to cope with a break-up,” he revealed. “It took over my life. At night after work, I’d say to myself I’d only watch one video, but I wouldn’t stop until 3am or 4am.”
Describing internet porn as akin to “crack cocaine,” he explained how it triggered endorphins similar to gambling. Despite seeking help from a drug and alcohol counsellor, he was initially dismissed as “just like any male who likes to have sex,” which only exacerbated his feelings of isolation. “I knew in my heart I had a problem,” he said.
Finding Support and Recovery
His turning point came when a friend introduced him to Sexaholics Anonymous Australia. “I started going to meetings and related to what was being said. From the second meeting, I gave up internet pornography and dating sites.” He also addressed his interactions with women, realizing the need to change his behavior. “I was flirting with women too much. I had to eventually give that up. Ever since then, I haven’t really looked back. I’ve been sexually sober for 11 years.”
Being sober, he explained, does not preclude a healthy sexual relationship with a spouse. Instead, it frees him from the burden of leading a double life filled with “lies and secrets.” He reflected, “My life is 1000 times better. In our literature, it says you’re able to look the world in the eye and stand free. You don’t have guilt and shame.”
Wider Implications and Ongoing Challenges
Despite personal successes, the member noted that Australia lags behind other regions in addressing sex addiction. “There are meetings everywhere in Europe and the US,” he said. This sentiment is echoed by broader societal concerns, as a NSW parliamentary inquiry is currently examining the “Impacts of harmful pornography on mental, emotional and physical health.”
Chanel Contos, founder of Teach Us Consent, highlighted the early exposure of young people to pornography, stating, “incidentally or otherwise, young people are viewing pornography at the average age of 13 in Australia.” She pointed out the negative impact on young people’s approach to relationships, advocating for comprehensive sex education and safeguards like age verification technology to reduce accessibility to pornographic content.
“There is evidence to suggest that pornography is negatively affecting the way young people approach relationships,” Ms. Contos said. “Young people deserve access to comprehensive sex education that helps them develop healthy, consensual intimate relationships.”
The NSW government has also acknowledged the association of pornography with “sexual violence and risky sexual practices,” as well as its link to significant mental health impacts, including increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.
For those seeking support, Newcastle Sexaholics Anonymous provides a crucial resource. More information can be obtained by emailing [email protected] or visiting saoz.net.
