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Internet porn has tempted millions

Addiction is a very real and growing problem, experts say.

By DONG-PHUONG NGUYEN, Times Staff Writer
Published December 22, 2007

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ADVERTISEMENT [Handout Photo] The Rev. Brian James took an indefinite leave of absence from St. James United Methodist.

 

NEW TAMPA - The Rev. Brian James' journey down a road of self-described "moral failure" began two years ago when he started viewing pornography over the Internet. But it ended Dec. 10, he said, when staff members of St. James United Methodist Church discovered a pornographic image inside a photocopy machine.

James, who took an indefinite leave of absence, is not alone. Studies show that an estimated 15-million people in America share the same addiction, said Mary Ann Layden, director of the Sexual Trauma and Psychopathology Program at the University of Pennsylvania, who has testified before Congress on the issue.

"Porn is a drug unlike any other," Layden said. "It's free, it's available 24-7, it's piped into our house, and it gets you up or down. It's a very potent drug."

Layden said addiction to pornography is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, although it may be added to an upcoming edition. But those who treat it say it is a very real problem.

There is no set standard as to when a person becomes officially labeled an Internet porn addict, but some studies say that when a person watches more than 5 1/2 hours a week, that's cause for concern, Layden said. Anyone who watches pornography for more than 11 1/2 hours a week is considered a cyber sex addict.

The thirst for more is joined by a need for more shock value, she said. The image of a nude person is not enough.

Layden had one patient who missed an important job interview because he could not tear himself away from the computer, she said.

Another signed on as soon as he arrived at work and didn't sign off until the workday ended.

The problem interferes with marriages and careers and even destroys lives, Layden said.

"There's a compulsivity to it, and they just can't stop," she said. "The key quality of an addict is you do something and it hurts you, but you do it anyway."

James said he is getting treatment, but he referred specific questions to the Methodist leadership.

"I'm not going to make any excuses for it. What I did was wrong." James said. "I want to get better."

Help for cyber porn addiction is much like any other 12-step, peer-group program. An addict must first admit to having a problem, Layden said. From there, therapists examine how pornography functioned for the person: Was it avoidance or a distraction? Are there self-esteem issues? Are they abuse survivors?

Therapists also discuss ways to deepen intimacy with real people and help the addicts find other ways to soothe their emotions.

"We work on environmental control," she said. "We make sure there is a clean Internet service provider at home."

The problem with this addiction is that porn is so easily accessible, Layden said, and the addiction can be triggered by a lot of things.

"Addicts must pull back (from) the temptation of pornography of everyday life," she said, noting that the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition and the Victoria's Secret catalog are among the triggers.

There are several Web sites, such as xxxchurch.com, that offer faith-based counseling and online help. Xxxchurch.com serves as a starting point for people with a pornography addiction and includes an entire section for pastors where they can read stories about personal struggles.

"We're not the counselors. We're not the clinical experts," said Brandon Piety, production manager of xxxchurch.com. "But let's talk about it and get solutions to the problem."

Erik Alsgaard, communications director for the United Methodist Church's Florida Conference, said it will be up to the Board of Ordained Ministry, which is made up of clergy membersfrom all over the conference, to determine whether and when James can return to the pulpit.

"It could be 12 months, 18 months, three years, I don't know," Alsgaard said.

James is allowed to stay in church housing for three months, and Alsgaard said he understands that St. James is paying Brian James his salary for three months, though he couldn't say whether it was the full amount.

James, a father of four, said he is undergoing therapy for his addiction and trying to lead his life.

"We lived in a busy house last week, and we live in a really busy house this week," he said. "I dropped my kids off at school, and I'm going to pick them up. When people call, I'm going to answer."

He said the church and his wife have been supportive.

"I'm getting far more grace than I deserve," he said, adding that his two younger children, ages 7 and 5, do not understand what's going on. "They just know that life has changed."

Dong-Phuong Nguyen can be reached at (813) 269-5312 or nguyen@sptimes.com.

In a 2001 survey of about 500 pastors in America conducted by Christianity Today International, which publishes evangelical magazines:

51 percent

said Internet pornography was a possible temptation for them

37 percent

admitted it was a current struggle

21 percent

said they visited pornographic Web sites a few times a year

6 percent

said they visited pornographic Web sites a couple of times a month

Source: Christianity Today

Porn on the Web

A January 1999 study by Nielsen ratings found that there were a total of 19-million unique visitors a month to the top five pay pornography Web sites.

Meanwhile, there were 98-million unique visitors to the top five free porn Web sites.

Source: Mary Anne Layden, director of the Sexual Trauma and Psychopathology Program at the University of Pennsylvania.

[Last modified December 21, 2007, 23:57:46]