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NHS doubles number of gambling addiction clinics, number of porn addiction clinics = 0

punter99 — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 11:31:41 GMT

When I went to the doctor recently, they asked me the usual questions about do I smoke, how much do I drink etc. But they also asked me if I have a gambling problem, which is strange, because I don't gamble at all.

But it seems that, as a result of this fishing expedition, the NHS has uncovered a hidden gambling problem in this country. It has responded by opening more clinics to treat problem gamblers. I wonder how many porn addicts they would find, if they did a similar exercise for porn addiction?

RE: NHS doubles number of gambling addiction clinics, number of porn addiction clinics = 0

JASB — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 11:31:41 GMT

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[b]punter99 - 5 Jul 23 3:04 PM[/b]

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Hi
As a society we are so ashamed of many "taboo" topics of discussion; I mean how long did it take for Parliament to openly discuss "female hygiene products"?
We know you can view many "harmful and explicit" topics within media, but that is classed as "entertainment".

Again just think how easy it is to see sexual violence or the use of "sexual services" (an addiction I have overcome) within a tv drama or film. However in real life it is a completely different aspect of "conversation".

In my opinion I am yet to find how the foundations of creating an "addiction" is different when it is a "Video war game" or a "Video sex film".

RE: NHS doubles number of gambling addiction clinics, number of porn addiction clinics = 0

Mr W — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 17:19:50 GMT

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[b]punter99 - 5 Jul 23 3:04 PM[/b]

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The answer is in the question in some respects in that it's "hidden", which is a falsehood really, it's more like it's ignored. Gambling problems have been around for years, exacerbated by mobile phones. Now it's being talked about more (probably because it's become so bad that suicides have increased, while gambling site owners are raking in the millions,) THEN stuff happens.
Clinics are a sticking plaster attitude but something is better than nothing, but it's great that doctor's are opening that door for people who might then confide for the first time. Gambling, alcoholism, porn etc they're all private "one-on-one with phone" stuff but they're all things that allow people to be distracted from whatever they're not dealing with in their lives.
In terms of porn, I would estimate there's been one story in the papers every day for the past 10 years concerning those who've gone down that route, but, if you look at comments, it still feels like it's the first time it's ever happened. Which I really don't understand. But again, will it later be looked at as 'hidden' if anything is eventually done? For me, I think it's being ignored because nobody likes talking about porn, sex or masturbation.
But to those with experience of the CJS because of sex addiction, our families, and/or people affected by it all over the country, any attempts to cultivate change will always be shouted down. Treat the cause, not the symptom.

EDIT: Just a thought, since there is taxpayer funding going into it, a sex addict could go and still use the help and information that's available. Just lie and say it's gambling. I'd rather someone lie and get some help than think 'it's not for me' and not get help.