If you have ever wondered as to the extent of the online pornography industry then here is an eye opener from toptenreviews.com

http://www.internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/internet-pornography-statistics.html

6 of these statistics that related to addiction or possible addiction drew my attention.

12% of the internet is devoted to pornography
When you consider how much pornography is available from other sources this is an enormous number fueled by ease of use, ease of access for minors and anonymity that can draw people in and make it seem normal when it is usually hidden.

25% of total search engine requests are for pornographic requests
This number seems excessively high and stats are not always perfect but to even come close to that is amazing, 1 in 4 things typed into a search engine have words like porn, xxx and so on in them!

The average age of first Internet exposure to pornography is 11 years old

Young and impressionable minds can find this stuff which does not bode well. Habits that form young are much more likely to become hard core addictions later in life and are harder to get rid of.

10% of adults admit to Internet sexual addictions
That is just the people who admit to it, imagine the real number and growing …

Breakdown of male/female visitors to pornography sites – 72% male – 28% female
While typically considered a men’s problem it is interesting to see that women in large numbers are also active in online pornography and may have a harder time with it because it is considered a male problem too I bet.

Women struggling with pornography addiction – 17%
Larger than the average it would seem.

While many of these statistics might not be entirely accurate it does paint a picture of increasing trends among men and women to become addicted to online pornography. It would be interested in seeing statistics on how many people seek help for pornography addiction too …

http://www.kick-addiction.com/pornography-addiction/

Although I do not live in the United States I have followed the elections with great interest and great passion as in this globalized world when the big powers make big changes it affects everyone in the world to some degree.

Then today I watched the President elect Obama’s speech when the votes were cast and America had decided and I was inspired even though he was not my president, I didn’t vote, I was just a spectator but I was inspired.

“Yes, we can!”

Americans may think that only applies to them but it applies to many around the world and I think down here in Australia it applies to us as well. It applies to anyone who dares to dream, anyone who dares to reach for greater things.

“Yes, we can!”

It is not a political policy, not an agenda for change even … it is an attitude which inspires great things and more importantly; it inspires HOPE.

“Yes, we can!”

Without the political rhetoric, without the overtones of Americanism, without the deliberate contrast with the old administration this phrase is important, it is something that is important to anyone facing adversity and needs the inspiration to overcome.

“Yes, we can!”

To anyone facing their addiction, to EVERYONE who has to fight and suffer through the hard times when giving in feels like the easiest option … we can look ahead and say: Yes, We Can … Yes, I CAN!

No matter what your politics, no matter where you are you can overcome the obstacles in life, you can fight your urges, you can find a way, you can have the courage and determination to be the person you want to be!

“Yes, We Can!”

I believe all of you can do it with this attitude.
Good luck!

There are many signs you have a pot addiction whether it be warnings while you are smoking or perhaps things that have happened when you have tried to quit. Some people freely admit they are or were addicted while others struggle with the concept of being addicted to a drug that has no physical dependency issues like cigarettes or heroin but is instead a psychological addiction making it harder to recognize from your own view point. Some things you may want to look for in yourself or in others who might be addicted to marijuana are as follows:

Have tried to quit smoking pot and failed
Quitting any habit can be hard but those that may be addicted to a behavior or substance (or both) often realize that this is harmful to their life and have tried to stop smoking weed and have failed even though they may know it is for the best.

Lack of motivation
While many might just confuse this with a lack of direction many habitual marijuana smokers report having a sever lack of motivation to do anything that can be very harmful on relationships, work and more. This is usually found in long term users and may be linked to brain chemical changes over time that regulate mood.

Depression
Depression is a strange thing and some people can feel depressed when smoking weed or they become depressed after stopping their marijuana habit. Depression has also been linked to brain chemistry but also to environment as a result as well, this means there could be a mix of drug abuse and problems and issues that could cause this which often leads people to smoke more to get away from it. If smoking weed or quitting weed causes fluctuations in depressive symptoms something is wrong and could be linked to an addiction.

Anxiety
Much like depression anxiety and panic attacks can be found during or when stopping pot smoking. If you are trying to quit and suffer panic attacks or general anxiety this could be considered a sign of addiction if it drives you back to smoking.

Anger
As marijuana plays with your brain and alters your mood regulators some people find anger and rage an issue which drives them to smoke more which is a short term solutions to their anger problems which might be linked to marijuana or a separate issue that is covered up by excessive use making them addicted to the substance.

Relationship problems
Not only romantic relationships but friendships, family bonds and so forth. If you find yourself having difficulty interacting with anyone who is not a pothead or you feel you are drifting further away from your loved ones due to marijuana but feel powerless to stop it you may have found more signs you have a pot addiction.

Shifting Priorities
Do you find yourself spending money on pot when you should be spending it on rent, food, tuition, health or anything else that is of prime importance to yourself? When smoking marijuana becomes something you sacrifice to do it is considered an addiction.

Any Excuse
Do you find you are making excuses to smoke more weed? Putting off invitations, skipping school or work or lying so you have more time to get high?

Defensiveness
Do you find yourself becoming aggressive when people confront you about smoking pot when they are not trying to condemn you but are trying to help?

I NEED WEED!
Do you feel that you do not just want pot and want to get high but you feel you NEED to smoke and without it your life will be worse, have no meaning or be too hard to deal with? Signs you have a pot addiction like this are the core part of a psychological addiction.

While researching sexual addictions i found this series of videos about men and how to control sexual compulsions.

I do not agree with all of it and the religious bent on it may not appeal to all but it is interesting viewing and worth watching if you or someone you know has an addiction to sex or pornography.

I hope you find this interesting at least.