Leap of Courage

Veterans, Porn Addiction, and the Invisible Crisis: A Call to Action

By: Jessica Jordan, Kim Perry, Ed.D.

Members of the military and veterans often experience profound physical and emotional hardships, many of which can lead to problematic pornography use (PPU) and porn addiction.

Why This Happens

Several factors common among veterans can disrupt impulse control and foster addictive behavior, including:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

• Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD)

• Isolation

• Strained interpersonal relationships

• Downtime and boredom

In one study, 16.7% of male veterans met criteria for Compulsive Sexual Behavior (CSB), with PTSD severity the strongest predictor (Smith et al., 2014). That's 2.78 million male veterans who meet the criteria for CSB.  Another study showed veterans reported significantly more problematic pornography use than non-veterans (Borgogna et al., 2021).

A Hidden Battlefield

Pornography and sex addiction often play out in secr...

By: Jessica Jordan, Kim Perry, Ed.D.

August 13, 2025

The issue of pornography and sex addiction, and its wide-ranging impacts, has been openly discussed by public football figures including Terry Crews (Los Angeles Rams), Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), Steve Weatherford (New York Giants), and Dave Canales (head coach, Carolina Panthers).

Research on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and behavioral change offers insight into why concussed men may be more vulnerable to pornography addiction and other risky sexual behaviors. Brain injuries have also been associated with the development of compulsive behaviors, (Oliverio et al., 2020).

Even mild concussions have been linked to increased impulsivity, social disinhibition, and risky health habits. As a result of changes in neural pathways, there can be disruption in emotion and decision-making, fueling aggression, poor judgment, and inappropriate sexual behavior (Rigon et al., 2024; Kim et al., 2025).

For athletes, a hit on the fi...

The most successful and happy people in the world avoid multitasking like the plague

"Task residue" is the leftover cognitive load that occurs when someone switches between tasks. Multitasking has a massive amount of task residue, where the time and energy spent on one task affects and lowers the performance of another. Task residue will cause a decrease in productivity, as well as an increase in anxiety and stress.  When a person multitasks, their brain is constantly switching back and forth between tasks. This switching requires energy, which can quickly drain a person’s mental resources. As a result, the tasks being performed are not done at full capacity, leading to a decrease in productivity. 

Multitasking can also be called "Dopamine Switching", because as the activity switches, so does the source of dopamine. Dopamine is what makes the mind stay alert and focused on something, which can be detrimental when there is a frequent change. This trains the mind to never be deeply foc...

There are 2 criteria you must have to know that you are truly recovered from porn addiction

Pornography has become increasingly accessible in modern society. With the convenience of the internet, it is easier than ever to stream porn in the privacy of our own homes. Unfortunately, this easy access to pornography can be a dangerous thing. The dangers of pornography can range from physical health risks to psychological and social issues.  

 Physically, pornography can be harmful to our bodies. Watching too much pornography can lead to erectile dysfunction or early ejaculation. Additionally, some people become addicted to pornography and can suffer from sleep deprivation, anxiety, and depression. Pornography can also be a gateway to other destructive behaviors such as infidelity or substance abuse.   The psychological harm of pornography can be just as damaging as the physical harm.

People who watch too much pornography can develop unrealistic expectations of sex and relationships. This can lead to dissatisfaction in their own relationships and can cause them to seek out unhe...

Porn addiction recovery programs are designed to help people struggling with compulsive porn use (or any sex related addiction). These programs usually involve helping to identify and address underlying issues that may be contributing to their addiction. 

Many programs also include group activities and support groups to help people learn to manage their urges and become more mindful of their behavior. Additionally, many programs offer resources and tools to help people develop healthier coping skills and develop healthier relationships with themselves and others.