Have you heard about The New Drug? What it is and how it affects our heart, mind and world?
I first started this journey down the rabbit hole when unpacking the impact of porn use within a romantic relationship. I honestly didn't have the answer to how it either positively or negatively effected the relationship. While one partner swore it didn't have any impact, the other one with tear filled eyes and heart break shared how it made them feel and how they wanted it to stop. I wanted to learn more and also provide them with a greater understanding of porn and the role it plays in marriage, romantic relationships and within their own sexual identity and that's when I found the Documentary called Brain, Heart, World.
I immediately sat my family down and we started watching the free documentary together. It was mind blowing to hear the facts presented within the first part of the 3 part documentary about porn's impacts on consumers, relationships and society. We were hooked! We wanted to learn more of how porn affects us and were shocked on how it impacts us, our relationships and society at such a deep level.
With my thirst for new knowledge I continued unpacking this concept and came across the website Fight The New Drug. Fight the New Drug's mission is to:
Fight the New Drug is a non-religious and non-legislative organization that exists to provide individuals the opportunity to make informed decision regarding pornography by raising awareness on its harmful effects using only science, facts and personal accounts.
A website with no hidden agenda (at least that I can see) just an organization trying to get research-based information out to individuals to learn, grow and make more informed choices on the use of porn.
The Website: First Impressions
The website is loaded with lots of information and free resources mainly through the form of articles and videos. It provides a tremendous amount of articles surrounding the topic of porn. They even go the distance to assist you in navigating the website with ease as they organize the information based on the individual, relationships and society. In addition to the articles they have videos covering a vast array of information including, links to the documentary and facts, overviews, real experiences, and so on. Just a wealth of information to support your journey of understanding and if you so decide to stop the use of pornography use for either yourself, your relationship or the social impact.
Get involved: Change the Conversation
In addition to providing a wealth of information in the form of articles, research and videos they also have ways that you can get involved both big and small. You can donate to the cause to help them continue to educate others and change the conversation about porn, purchase Fighter Gear and change the conversation wherever you go. You can book a presentation as a community event, host a screening, join the street team, follow on social media, and become a fighter. But if all of that seems a little overwhelming in the moment no worries start with baby steps of just changing the conversation about porn within your circles of influence.
Learning On the Go: Podcast
Want to learn more but life has you pulled in a million and one directions. No worries! The website provides a pod cast called Consider Before Consuming. Consider Before Consuming mission is to:
Think about all of the things you consider every day to help keep yourself, your loved ones, and your community happy, healthy, and hopeful.
Now consider this: There is an ever-growing body of research demonstrating significant negative impacts, for yourself and the ones you love, in the consumption of pornography. It can change the way you think, harm your ability to connect with other people, and can contribute to changing the world in negative ways.
Join us every other week as we consider the harmful effects of pornography using science, facts, and personal accounts. But, we’re not just inviting you to consider the potential negative consequences of pornography but also the benefits to a life free of porn and its influence.
Pretty good stuff I would say and you can stream from Apple podcasts and Spotify.
Final Thoughts
Porn affects more than we think and we give credit for. My research opened my eyes to the realities of porn and the effects it has on everything and I mean everything. Let's change the conversation surrounding porn. The struggle is real for both men and women alike. Knowledge is power.
Lastly, a recent article title An Open Letter on Porn by The Gottman Institute highlights how pornography poses a serious threat to couple intimacy and relationship harmony. It's a must read.
Learn more Fight The New Drug.
Yvette E. McDonald is the owner and counselor at Traveling Light Counseling, a practice for individuals, couples and families helping them discover the person/couple they were always meant to be, as they become the best version of self in their roles and relationships in the Port Saint Lucie and Martin County area. She has hand-picked each clinician based on their specialty. With a goal to build a team that is the top in our area.