Session 33 – New Pathways into Pornography Addiction Among Youth

This session explores the non-classical development of pornography addiction in adolescents and young adults, emphasizing how emotional regulation and attachment deficits—exacerbated by COVID shutdowns—have shifted the landscape of sexual arousal and addiction. Modern pornography use often serves as a coping mechanism for disconnection and emotional regulation. The presentation will examine how repeated exposure to specific content impacts the arousal template in ways that mirror unresolved emotional or attachment dynamics, offering updated insights for both prevention and treatment.