The UK’s 1st peer-reviewed pilot study on porn and sex addiction, which uses 60 podcasts to treat porn and sex addiction, demonstrated the effectiveness of online treatment programmes: all participants reduced unwanted behaviours, 53% substantially. It was led by Dr Paula Hall of Pivotal Recovery and the Laurel Centre.
First-Ever UK Porn Addiction Pilot Study Demonstrates Effectiveness of Online Treatment Programme
- A first-of-its-kind UK pilot study on porn addiction treatment has demonstrated the effectiveness of online programmes.
- The programme being studied, Pivotal Recovery, helped all participants reduce unwanted behaviours: 53% achieved complete or significant reduction, while 47% saw moderate improvement.
- Prior to the course, nearly half (49%) said their addiction affected their ability to maintain relationships, while 56% struggled with depression and 30% admitted being at risk of breaking the law.
- After completing the course, depression in participants improved in 76% of participants and there was a reduction in legal risk in 82%.
- Further details of the report can be found on Pivotal Recovery’s website, here: https://www.pivotalrecovery.
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The UK’s first peer-reviewed pilot study on treating porn and sex addiction has successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of online treatment programmes[1]. It found that all participants reduced unwanted behaviours, with 53% achieving complete or significant reduction, and the remaining 47% experiencing moderate improvements.
Led by Dr Paula Hall, a UKCP Accredited Sexual and Relationship Psychotherapist with almost 20 years’ experience, the first-of-its-kind UK pilot study examined the effectiveness of Pivotal Recovery, a self-guided, digital health treatment programme designed to assist individuals struggling with Compulsive Sexual Behavioural Disorder (CSBD) commonly referred to as porn and sex addiction.
Participants completed surveys before and after the programme to assess their progress in three key areas: emotional wellbeing, risky behaviours, and the impact on their relationships.
Prior to the course, more than half (56%) of participants felt depressed most or all of the time. Post-course, depression levels improved in 76% of participants, the ability to cope increased in 73%, and compassion for oneself and others improved in 86%.
In the pre-course survey, 30% of participants admitted to potential risk of breaking the law. After the programme, there was an improvement in 83% of participants concerning the risk of going into debt and a reduction in legal risk in 82%.
Before taking part in the course, nearly half (49%) reported that CSBD affected their ability to maintain relationships. Additionally, nearly two-thirds (60%) stated their behaviours had definitely increased conflict within their relationships, while 47% said it had caused sexual difficulties with partners. It can take a long time for relationships to recover from the impact of CSBD and this was outside of the scope of this study.
According to the 2023 International Sex Survey[2, which involved over 80,000 participants from 42 countries, showed that 4.69% of Brits, and 4.8% of the global population, are at high risk of developing CSBD. Despite its prevalence, only 14% of those at high risk globally have ever sought treatment. Many individuals struggling with CSBD cite significant barriers to seeking help, including feelings of embarrassment (18.5%), uncertainty about where to find support (8%), and financial constraints (6.5%).
The Pivotal Recovery programme is designed to overcome barriers to seeking help for CSBD. With 60 podcasts guiding participants through six recovery steps and a digital workbook, the Programme allows individuals to seek help privately, removing traditional obstacles to treatment.
Dr Paula Hall, the founder of Pivotal Recovery, says: “Porn and sex addiction have frequently faced criticism for the limited research on treatment effectiveness and an over-focus on behaviour modification rather than emotional wellbeing. This study examined the impact of Pivotal Recovery, an online, self-guided treatment programme, designed to address these concerns by reducing common barriers to seeking help, such as stigma, shame, accessibility, and cost.
“The study’s findings highlight significant improvements in emotional wellbeing, reduced risk behaviours, and a better understanding of personal issues, with participants reporting higher levels of confidence in maintaining recovery. This research underscores the potential of digital interventions like Pivotal Recovery to provide scalable, effective support for those affected by CSBD, making it a crucial step forward in addressing this widespread yet often untreated disorder.“
For more information and access to the full report, please visit:
https://www.tandfonline.com/
About Pivotal Recovery
Pivotal Recovery CIC is a not-for-profit community interest company founded by renowned sex and relationship psychotherapist, Dr Paula Hall. With over 20 years of experience, Dr Hall has dedicated her career to helping individuals overcome pornography addiction, sex addiction, and compulsive sexual behaviours. Pivotal Recovery provides accessible, research-based recovery programmes for those unable to access traditional therapy due to location, cost, or time constraints. The programme offers a self-guided, digital format, making effective treatment available to a wider audience.
All profits from Pivotal Recovery will be used to support other NFP’s who provide either therapy, education or research in this field. Dr Hall’s proven treatment methods, now available through Pivotal Recovery’s course, offer a vital lifeline for those whose lives are impacted by compulsive sexual behaviours, ensuring help is accessible to all.
References
[1] https://www.tandfonline.com/
[2] https://akjournals.com/view/