UK launches helpline for 1.2 million porn addicts

The United Kingdom has launched its first 24-hour counselling service, HelpAddictions.org for online pornography addicts.

It will operate round the clock, seven-days-a-week, to support the UK's estimated 1.2 million adult addicts.

The service includes live telephone sessions with trained counsellors and ''accountability'' software that monitors online activity and sends a list of viewed x-rated websites to users'' therapists.
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Other features are home study program, daily exercises, audio files and access to a confidential online forum where users can discuss their conditions with fellow addicts.

The site also offers support for the partners of porn addicts, who often feel ''traumatised'' by their partners'' behaviour.

The program endorsed by industry regulator, The Counselling Society, costs from 89 pounds onwards and can be joined anonymously.

Helpline's resident expert Dr Chris Forester blamed the internet for fuelling the rapid spread of pornography.

"As trained therapists, we have become increasingly aware of porn addiction - principally because of easy, affordable internet access. Porn addiction has become a huge issue, with negative impacts on peoples'' sex lives, relationships and even career. Our program is the solution to this minefield. From our years of experience we have created a flexible program using the latest techniques, structured in a unique way" the Daily Mail quoted him, as saying.
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The site's courses are based on a five-step treatment process, which if unsuccessful, can be availed free-of-charge.

Majority of the UK's pornography victims are middle-class white-collar workers, whose profession bring them into contact with the internet on a daily basis.