Maybe you've sat in a GP waiting room about something else and wondered whether you could mention this too. It's a fair thing to wonder, and lots of people do.
Generally, no. There's no dedicated NHS service for porn addiction, and several NHS psychosexual services state that they don't take referrals for sex or porn addiction. You still have NHS options, though. Your GP can help with mood, anxiety and anything else going on, and in England you can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies.
The related medical diagnosis is compulsive sexual behaviour disorder, or CSBD. You can read more about compulsive sexual behaviour disorder and what the World Health Organization says about it.
Is there an NHS service for porn addiction?
Not in most places. NHS psychosexual services help with things like erection or desire difficulties, but the ones we checked list porn or sex addiction as something they can't treat. One NHS trust in Cheshire says there are no NHS-funded services there for compulsive sexual behaviour and points people to private providers instead.
Here's what some NHS pages say, in their own words:
- Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust can't offer appointments for "compulsive sexual behaviours (including sex or pornography related 'addictions') without a psychosexual component".
- Let's Talk About It, an NHS psychosexual therapy service, says it's unable to help with "sexual addiction, porn addiction, sexual compulsive behaviour".
- Sheffield Psychosexual Therapy Service excludes "sexual compulsivity, paraphilia or addiction, including pornography".
- NHS Lothian's referral guidance says its psychosexual clinic "does not take referrals for sex or pornography addiction".
That can feel like a door closing. It isn't the end of the road, and the routes below are still open to you.
Can my GP help with porn addiction?
Yes, in a general way. A GP won't usually have a porn-specific service to send you to. They can still listen, check your mood, sleep and anxiety, and look at anything else going on. They can also point you towards talking therapy. If it feels bigger than willpower, that's reason enough to book.
You don't need to reach a crisis point first. Some people find it easier to open with "I've been struggling with something and I'm not sure who to ask." Your GP has heard far more awkward things than this.
One NHS trust has said in a freedom of information response that it has no specialist service for problematic sexual addiction, but that its clinicians support people through their general care. That may be what you find: real help, just not a dedicated clinic.
Can NHS Talking Therapies help with porn?
It might, indirectly. NHS Talking Therapies is free and set up for anxiety, depression and related problems, which often sit underneath compulsive porn use. In England you can refer yourself without seeing a GP. You do need to be registered with a GP and aged 18 or over (16 in some areas).
You can find your local NHS Talking Therapies service on the NHS website. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements, mostly through GPs.
Therapy there is often cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps you spot the triggers and loops that keep a habit going. Be aware it's designed for low mood and anxiety rather than porn, so it's worth saying clearly what you'd like help with.
What are the private options for porn addiction help?
Private help is where most porn-specific support sits in the UK. The NHS trust in Cheshire points people to private providers through the COSRT and ATSAC directories. Other private options include the Laurel Centre and Sex Addicts Anonymous. Costs vary, so check each one directly. Some offer online sessions, which can make the first step feel easier.
- ATSAC, the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity, has a directory of UK therapists.
- The Laurel Centre offers therapy for compulsive sexual behaviour, in person and online.
- Relate has information if porn is affecting your relationship.
- Normal, a UK clinician-guided treatment service, is built around compulsive porn use (more below).
What can I do while I wait for help?
Start small. Keep a short note of when urges show up, write one sentence about what you'd like to change, and notice how it's affecting your sleep, mood and relationships. Charging your phone outside the bedroom can help too. You could also try a 10-minute delay when an urge appears.
Tell yourself you'll decide in ten minutes, not now. Set a timer and do something practical, like making a drink. When it goes off, notice how strong the urge feels. It has often eased a little. There are more ideas in how to stop watching porn for good.
Can I get help without a GP referral?
Yes. Normal, a UK clinician-guided treatment service, is built around compulsive porn use, with no referral needed. It starts with a free 2-minute assessment. If you go ahead, a UK-registered clinician decides if treatment is right for you before anything is prescribed. Support comes through Norm, Normal's CBT-based support app, and off-label naltrexone is only prescribed where a clinician judges it right.
Normal is a private service, and you see the full price before you pay. If you'd prefer to stay with the NHS, the GP and Talking Therapies routes above are free.
What could I do next?
Telling someone about this can feel like a big step. You can take it one small piece at a time. If you'd rather not wait, the free 2-minute assessment is a private place to start today.
Sources
- Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust: Psychosexual medicine and therapy service
- Let's Talk About It (NHS): Psychosexual therapy referral
- Sheffield Partnership NHS Foundation Trust: Sheffield Psychosexual Therapy Service
- NHS Lothian RefHelp: Psychosexual therapy
- Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust: FOI-112 response
- NHS: NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression
- NHS: Find an NHS Talking Therapies service
- ATSAC: Association for the Treatment of Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity
This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for advice from a qualified clinician. If you're struggling or feel unsafe, call Samaritans free on 116 123, NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
