Internet Pornography, Sex Addiction & Marriage: Cause for Tennessee Divorce

Internet Pornography, Sex Addiction & Marriage: Cause for Divorce

Pornography and sex addictions in marriage can severely strain a relationship.  It’s no secret that sexual images are quickly and easily accessed online from the privacy of the home. It’s an anonymous way for people to explore sexual fantasies. But this trend has led to a whole new category of marital troubles, often leading to separation and divorce.

The media has attributed a number of celebrity divorces to addiction of various types, including some – such as Téa Leoni and David Duchovny – to sex addiction. But one don’t have to be famous to fall prey to this problem.

Sex and pornography addiction are controversial issues and have gained solid definitions in the psychological community. While diagnoses can only be given by professionals, there are some basic signs that someone suffers from an addiction to sex and sexual imagery. A Memphis divorce lawyer, meanwhile, can help discuss how this addiction may affect divorce.

Defining and Recognizing Sex Addiction 

According to the Sexual Recovery Institute, sex addiction is defined as “a persistent and escalating pattern or patterns of sexual behaviors acted out despite increasingly negative consequences to self or others.” A sex addict may act out their addiction through masturbation, pornography, multiple affairs, exhibitionism, voyeurism, attendance at strip clubs, and other sexual venues.

Some signs of a sex addict may include: 

• intrusive, impulsive sexual thoughts and actions;
• increasing need for stronger sexual stimuli;
• objectification of partner, and/or serial adultery;
• loss of interest in sex with spouse; and
• feelings of guilt, anxiety, fear and loss of control surrounding sexual matters.

Like any other addiction, sex addiction can cost the sufferer large amounts of time, money and energy, and sex addiction can affect marriage. The person may genuinely want to stop the destructive behavior but may feel powerless over the urge to seek sexual stimulus. 

How Sex Addiction Harms Marriage 

Sex addiction harms marriages in a variety of ways. The primary destructive function of any addiction is to consume the life of the addict, so a person with a sex addiction may retreat from family life in order to pursue their needs. Many spouses tell of the countless hours their addicted partners spent hiding in their office or den on the Internet seeking pornography rather than participating in home life.

Addicts will often tell lie after lie to cover up behavior, and this can quickly destroy the trust between partners. While the addict may feel guilty about deceiving, he or she may not see any other alternative because seeking the stimulation takes priority over everything else.

The couple’s sexual relationship will likely suffer severe harm as well. Many sex addicts either objectify their partners, trying to mold them into their fantasies, or they neglect them. Some sex addicts are unable to perform sexually without very specific types of stimulation, so their partners may end up feeling unattractive and undesirable.

Like any addiction, sex addiction can be expensive. While Internet porn is usually free or cheap, some addicts don’t stop there and end up IM-ing with unknown people in forums or chat rooms, visiting sex workers or engaging in multiple affairs. Sometimes, the addict’s spouse is made aware of the addiction when he or she notices money missing from joint accounts.

Sex addiction can also present some frightening health dangers. Addicts may not be practicing safe sex and could bring home any number of sexually transmitted infections/diseases (STI/STD), including HIV/AIDS. It’s important for anyone who discovers a partner’s sex addiction to be screened for STIs as soon as possible.

For more, see Divorcing Because of Your Spouse’s Internet Pornography Addiction?

Sex Addiction & Divorce: Memphis Divorce Lawyer Can Help 

A sex addiction may not affect the manner in which property or alimony is distributed in a no-fault divorce, but adultery and some other circumstances may be considered grounds for a fault-based divorce in Tennessee. Meanwhile, if child custody is an issue, the addicted parent’s behavior may be evaluated to determine if it places the children at risk or interferes with the parent’s ability to care for the child. A Memphis divorce lawyer can help you pursue a divorce if sex addiction has harmed your marriage beyond repair.

The Miles Mason Family Law Group handles Tennessee divorce, child support, alimony, child custody, and parent relocation.  Download our free e-Book, Your First Steps: 7 Steps Planning Your Tennessee Divorce.  To schedule your confidential consultation, call us today at (901) 683-1850.