research - Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings

Financial Risks of Gaming Disorder: More Than Just a Game

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Introduction: The Hidden Cost of Gaming

For hundreds of millions of people, video games are a favorite pastime. A source of entertainment, social connection, and challenging fun. The common view is that it’s a widespread and generally harmless hobby. But as with any deeply engaging activity, there’s a potential for a downside. New research is revealing that this downside can extend directly into our wallets in the form of a gaming disorder.

A study published in the journal Addictive Behaviors has uncovered a powerful, and often overlooked, link between problematic gaming behaviors and significant financial consequences.

The findings challenge common assumptions about who is at risk. And they highlight a major gap in how we officially define and screen for gaming disorder.

Have you ever logged off after a gaming session and felt you spent more money than you should have? The results of this study suggest that for some, that feeling is a sign of a much larger issue. Here are four surprising truths about the financial risks of Gaming Disorder.

Do you have enough hours for your LPC renewal? Are you in need of continuing education, but bored with the current offerings? Check out Dr. Weeks’ course on Cannabis Use Disorder, and other unique courses on her practice website.

Sexual Addiction Treatment Services has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7250. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Sexual Addiction Treatment Services is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

The Link Between Gaming Disorder and Overspending is Staggering

The core finding of the study is impossible to ignore: there is a massive correlation between being at risk for Gaming Disorder (GD) and overspending on gaming-related activities.

The research found individuals identified as being at risk for GD had 6-9x higher odds of reporting overspending.

The gap between those at risk for GD and those who are not is stark. The study’s data reveals a consistent pattern of overspending across different categories:

Purchasing Games: 76% of at-risk individuals reported overspending, versus only 24% of those not at risk.
In-Game Purchases: 73% of at-risk individuals reported overspending, compared to just 24% of those not at risk.
Esports Betting: 63.5% of at-risk individuals reported overspending, versus a mere 13% of those not at risk.

This isn’t a minor or incidental issue.

The data shows that for those struggling with the behavioral patterns of Gaming Disorder, significant overspending is not an exception but a common, defining feature of their experience. It’s important to note, however, that the study measured players’ perception of overspending. Future research is needed to quantify the link to actual financial hardship or debt.

It’s Not Just a Problem for Young People

A persistent stereotype frames problematic gaming as an issue exclusive to teenagers and young adults. While the study confirmed that younger people reported higher rates of overspending, it also found that a “non-negligible proportion” of older adults are also impacted.

Specifically, the research showed that between 4% and 9% of adults aged 66 and older reported various types of game-related overspending. This finding is particularly concerning for this demographic.

As the study’s authors discuss, older adults often rely on fixed incomes from pensions or savings, which limits their ability to absorb financial losses. The source identifies further vulnerabilities, noting that “technological illiteracy and susceptibility to scams further exacerbate the risks for older adults,” making this a cross-generational concern that demands attention.

Stay up-to-date with all of Dr. Jen’s work through her practice’s newsletter!

Official Definitions of Gaming Disorder Overlook the Financial Damage

Despite the study’s clear evidence linking Gaming Disorder to serious financial issues, overspending is not currently part of the official diagnostic criteria from major health organizations.

Diagnostic frameworks like the World Health Organization’s ICD-11, and the screening tools like the Gaming Disorder Identification Test, focus on impairments in personal, social, or health-related areas. They largely omit the potential for financial harm as a key symptom or consequence. As the researchers state in their discussion:

“Our findings highlight that overspending is integral to GD, yet it is absent from diagnostic frameworks such as ICD-11 and DSM-5.”

This omission is critical.

The data reveals staggering rates of overspending (Truth #1) that affect even vulnerable older populations (Truth #2).

However, the very tools used to identify the disorder are blind to what may be its primary financial symptom. As a result, we may be under-identifying individuals for whom financial distress is the most significant negative consequence.

The Line Between Gaming and Gambling is Blurring

The study uncovered a significant relationship between Gaming Disorder and overspending on betting with real money on video games, also known as esports betting. The researchers describe this convergence of gaming and gambling as a “concerning” trend.

This blur is not limited to betting.

The study also notes the role of gambling-like mechanics built directly into games, such as loot boxes. These features use a “chance-based reward structure” that, as the source notes, can “foster compulsive spending and addiction-like behaviours.”

These in-game mechanics can prime users for the more explicit gambling behaviors seen in esports betting. It makes the convergence even more seamless and risky.

This finding underscores a growing need for greater awareness. The study’s authors call for specific, concrete actions, including “regulatory and harm minimization strategies such as spending limits, and educational initiatives to inform gamers about the risks” inherent in these evolving financial systems within games.

Conclusion: Rethinking the Risks

The key takeaway from this research is clear. The financial consequences of Gaming Disorder are a significant, underappreciated, and integral aspect of the condition.

These risks affect a wider range of people than is commonly believed. They are driven by an industry where lines between entertainment and finance are becoming increasingly blurred.

For clinicians, policymakers, and gamers themselves, these findings show that financial behaviors should be a key part of the conversation around healthy gaming. Recognizing overspending not just as a bad habit, but as a potential indicator of a deeper problem, is the first step toward better assessment and support.

How can we better recognize the warning signs of financial harm in ourselves and others? What can we do as the worlds of gaming and finance become more intertwined?

Are you exploring your trauma? Do you feel your childhood experiences were detrimental to your current mental or physical health? Utilize this free, validated, self-report questionnaire to find out.

Take the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Questionnaire

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Then you should consult with a professional.

Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.

Are you looking for more reputable, data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.

The post Financial Risks of Gaming Disorder: More Than Just a Game first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

Who REALLY Watches Porn? 4 Surprising Truths

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 13:00:00 +0000

When we think about who watches pornography, stereotypes often paint a simple, one-dimensional picture.

These assumptions, however, are largely based on older research that relied on self-report surveys, a method notoriously prone to bias when dealing with a stigmatized topic. What happens when you set aside what people say they do and instead look at what they actually do online?

A massive new study did just that. Using objective, anonymized web-tracking data from 1,933 individuals across five countries, researchers identified 392 pornography consumers, providing one of the most accurate and nuanced portraits of this group to date.

The results challenge many deeply held beliefs about age, gender, politics, and online behavior.

This article distills the four most counter-intuitive truths from this groundbreaking research, revealing a reality that is far more complex and fascinating than the stereotypes suggest.

1. Viewers Are Creatures of Habit, Not Explorers

The internet seems to offer an endless buffet of adult content, leading to the belief that pornography use is a relentless quest for novelty. The data, however, paints a picture not of explorers, but of creatures of habit.

The study found that consumption is highly concentrated on a few dominant platforms, such as Pornhub, Xvideos, and Xhamster.

The most surprising statistic revealed a strong sense of brand loyalty and routine. Approximately 46% of users visited only a single, unique adult website during the entire three-month study period.

This behavior suggests that for nearly half of all viewers, pornography is less about exploration and more about visiting a familiar, trusted source.

As the researchers note:

This suggests that pornography consumption is not as exploratory as assumed but rather characterized by routine engagement with familiar providers.

This finding is significant because it reframes consumption as a routine online habit, much like checking a favorite news site or social media platform, rather than a relentless quest for new stimulation.

2. It’s Not Just a Young Person’s Game

Conventional wisdom says porn is a young person’s fixation, a habit that fades with age.

The data shows this is simply not true.

Objective tracking reveals that pornography consumption is common across all age groups. It goes from young adulthood well into the 60s and beyond.

The data shows a clear trend, with consumption peaking among people in their 30s before seeing its most pronounced decline after age 60.

However, the study’s key takeaway is that these variations between most adult age groups aren’t large enough to be statistically significant. This means, for the most part, engagement remains remarkably stable throughout adulthood.

Licensed Professional Counselors, do you need continuing education hours?

Look no further!

If you find this article interesting, Dr. Weeks’ course Sexual Education and Porn Use in Women, and her other unique courses, will engage and educate!

Pornography isn’t just a phenomenon of the “digitally native” youth. It’s an integrated part of online habits for a wide and diverse range of adults.

3. Political Ideology is Surprisingly Irrelevant

In a hyper-partisan world, it’s easy to assume our media habits, even private ones, fall along political lines. But when it comes to pornography, a person’s political ideology is surprisingly irrelevant.

When researchers compared who watches porn and non-watchers based on their self-reported political ideology on a scale from left to right, they found no statistically significant difference between the two groups.

In simple terms, knowing a person’s political leaning gives you no predictive power in guessing whether or not they consume pornography. The user base is ideologically diverse and spans the entire political spectrum.

But the research did uncover an interesting twist. While personal ideology didn’t matter, media consumption habits showed a small but statistically significant difference. The study found pornography users tended to have slightly more centrist and balanced partisan media diets compared to non-users.

Do you believe you have an online pornography addiction? Take the free Cyber Pornography Addiction Test (CYPAT) and have the results to speak with your therapist.

4. The Gender Gap is More Complicated Than You Think

One stereotype the data confirms is men are the primary consumer of pornography.

But that’s where the simplicity ends.

Digging into the web-tracking data revealed crucial nuances, showing female engagement is “more substantial than previously estimated” and challenging the idea of pornography as an exclusively male domain. This was especially clear when looking at cross-country variations.

In Spain, for example, women constitute nearly 30% of pornography users.

The study hypothesizes this may be linked to the country’s significant progress in gender equality, such as being the first nation to create a Ministry of Equality in 2004 and the third to legalize same-sex marriage in 2005, suggesting cultural shifts can directly influence female consumption patterns.

The study also produced fascinating data on same-sex content.

It found that 16.5% of male users watched gay pornography. A figure significantly higher than the 5-10% of men who typically identify as gay or bisexual in surveys.

This complexity extends to lesbian content, which the study found was consumed by a higher percentage of male users (15.4%) than female users (9.4%), further challenging simple assumptions about consumption, gender, and sexual orientation.

Conclusion

The objective, behavioral data from this study makes one thing clear: the reality of pornography consumption is far more complex, habitual, and ideologically diverse than common stereotypes suggest.

It is a widespread digital behavior that cuts across demographics in ways we are only just beginning to understand.

As objective data continues to pull back the curtain on our private digital lives, what other deeply held assumptions about human behavior will be the next to fall?

Are you a Licensed Professional Counselor seeking engaging, unique Continuing Education courses? Dr. Weeks offers accredited courses on her practice website on the effects of Pornography Abstinence and other unique topics!

Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.

Are you looking for more reputable, data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.

The post Who REALLY Watches Porn? 4 Surprising Truths first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

4 Surprising Ways Cannabis Use Disorder Impacts the Brain

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000

More Than a Buzz, According to a Major New Study

As cannabis continues to be legalized for recreational and medical use across North America, public debate often centers on its benefits, risks, and social implications. This has become a public health priority. It’s sparking discussions about everything from tax revenue to addiction potential. Lost in the noise, however, is a more nuanced and critical question: what are the lasting, residual effects on the brain not just from using cannabis, but from developing a Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD)?

For years, research has been muddled by controversy. Some studies suggest significant cognitive decline. Others finding only minimal effects.

A major reason for this confusion is many studies lump together recreational users with those who have a clinical disorder. A new, large-scale meta-analysis published in the journal Addictive Behaviors cuts through this ambiguity by focusing specifically on individuals diagnosed with CUD.

This article distills the four most important takeaways from this major review. Here’s some clear, evidence-based answers on how Cannabis Use Disorder leaves a measurable mark on our cognitive abilities.

1. Cannabis Use Disorder Isn’t Just a Label—It’s a Critical Distinction

Much of the confusion around cannabis’s long-term cognitive effects comes from studies that don’t distinguish between recreational use and a clinical disorder. This new meta-analysis makes that distinction its central focus, and the results are revealing.

The core finding is that while recreational use may be associated with minimal or small deficits, Cannabis Use Disorder is linked to clear, moderate cognitive impairments.

The researchers draw a parallel to alcohol consumption. The cognitive impact seen in individuals with alcohol use disorder is significantly larger than what is observed in those who drink recreationally.

This distinction is the key that unlocks the rest of the study’s findings. Now that we’ve isolated the CUD population, the next question is: what exactly does this impairment look like?

2. The Damage Is Specific, Not Widespread

The cognitive impact of CUD isn’t a blunt, uniform fog across the entire brain. Instead, the meta-analysis shows that the impairments are concentrated in specific domains. The study found “small-to-moderate” impairments across several areas, with the largest deficits observed in five key domains:

IQ: The most significant deficit found. It reflects a moderate impairment in overall cognitive reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
Verbal Learning: The ability to learn and absorb new information presented through words. It manifests as an impairment making it harder to retain material from a lecture or meeting.
Verbal Memory: The capacity to recall that learned verbal information later. A deficit can manifest as struggling to remember conversations or key details from something you’ve read.
Working Memory: The mental “scratchpad” used for holding and manipulating information for short-term tasks. Impairment here makes it harder to follow multi-step instructions or perform mental calculations.
Speed of Processing: How quickly you can perceive, process, and respond to information. A deficit can slow down reaction times and the ability to keep up in fast-paced conversations or environments.

To emphasize this specificity, the study also identified the cognitive domains that were least affected.

Among them were attention and verbal fluency; the ability to retrieve words from your mind. This targeted impact suggests a more complex mechanism than simple, widespread damage.

3. The Impact of Cannabis Use Disorder Is Comparable to “Harder” Drugs

In a finding that challenges longstanding public perception, the study reveals how the cognitive deficits from CUD stack up against those from other substance use disorders.

The research shows that the magnitude of the impairments in verbal memory and working memory for individuals with CUD is in a similar range to the deficits seen in people with alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine use disorders.

However, a critical distinction adds another layer of complexity.

One important difference is that CUD is associated with less diffuse cognitive deficits. While the depth of impairment in those specific memory-related areas is comparable to other substance use disorders, the overall breadth of cognitive damage appears to be narrower.

This directly challenges the common perception of cannabis as a relatively benign substance. Especially when its use escalates to the level of a disorder. The researchers highlight the importance of this finding for how the scientific and medical communities view the substance.

“The similitude of findings between substances confirms the importance of paying attention to individuals with a CUD when studying the residual cognitive effects of cannabis.”

Are you exploring your trauma? Do you feel your childhood experiences were detrimental to your current mental or physical health? Utilize this free, validated, self-report questionnaire to find out.

Take the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Questionnaire

4. It Presents a Surprising Scientific Mystery

The targeted nature of these cognitive deficits presents a fascinating paradox for neuroscientists.

The primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, Δ9-THC, acts on the brain’s CB1 receptors. From a biological standpoint, this is significant because, as the paper notes, CB1 receptors are “among the most abundant throughout the brain.”

Based on that fact, scientists would expect that chronic, heavy cannabis use would cause diffuse, widespread cognitive effects across many domains.

Yet, as this meta-analysis confirms, the effects are actually quite specific.

This discrepancy suggests the full story is more complex than we currently understand. The authors propose this paradox “indirectly suggests that other cannabinoid receptors than CB1 receptors are mediating the cognitive effects of cannabis,” pointing toward an important new direction for future research.

Conclusion: A Sobering Reminder in the Age of Legalization

This comprehensive meta-analysis sends a clear message: Cannabis Use Disorder is not a trivial condition.

It is linked to real, measurable, and moderate cognitive deficits in crucial areas like memory, processing speed, and overall IQ.

Furthermore, these deficits are not insignificant when compared to those associated with other well-known substance use disorders.

The study’s authors point to a pressing public health concern, noting that “the perceived risk associated with regular cannabis use has been declining in youths since the legalization of the substance.”

While the policy debates will surely continue, this research provides a sobering reminder that the conversation must include a clear-eyed view of the consequences that arise when use crosses the line into a disorder.

As the perception of risk declines, the critical public health challenge becomes clear: how do we effectively communicate the line between casual use and the measurable cognitive costs of a disorder?

Are you a professional looking to stay up-to-date with the latest information on, sex addiction, trauma, and mental health news and research? Or maybe you’re looking for continuing education courses? Then you should stay up-to-date with all of Dr. Jen’s work through her practice’s newsletter!

Are you looking for more reputable, data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.

The post 4 Surprising Ways Cannabis Use Disorder Impacts the Brain first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

5 Surprising Truths About the Path to Gambling Recovery

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:24:43 +0000

The Four-Year Silence: 5 Surprising Truths About the Path to Gambling Recovery

When we think of gambling recovery, or any kind of addiction recovery, we often picture a dramatic “rock bottom” moment: a single, catastrophic event that forces a person to finally seek help.

While this makes for a compelling narrative, the reality is often quieter, slower, and much more complex. For individuals struggling with problem gambling, the journey from awareness to action is a long, hidden descent.

A new Canadian study published in Addictive Behaviors pulls back the curtain on this private struggle. By interviewing 65 adults currently in treatment for problem gambling, researchers mapped the winding road people travel from first realization to the point they finally reach out for gambling recovery support.

This article distills the most impactful and surprising findings from that research. It reveals the triggers, the timelines, and the overlooked patterns that define the hidden journey of problem gambling, offering crucial insights for individuals, their families, and the professionals trying to help them.

On Average, There’s A Four-Year Gap Between Awareness and Starting Gambling Recovery

One of the most significant findings from the study is the stark delay between realizing their gambling is harmful and when they first attempt to get help or limit their behavior.

The research identified a time lag of just under four years between these two critical events.

This four-year silence is not just a statistic. It represents a prolonged period of active struggle. It’s not simply passive suffering.

Researchers suggest this gap is often filled with shame, secrecy, and desperate attempts to fix the problem. People often use the very behavior causing the issues: trying to recoup losses. This tendency to chase a “big win” to solve mounting debt can exacerbate financial and emotional harms. It can postpone any cry for help until a crisis becomes unavoidable.

The study also revealed that this journey can differ across demographics, noting that men, on average, reported recognizing their gambling problems and trying to address them earlier than women.

Are you exploring your trauma? Do you feel your childhood experiences were detrimental to your current mental or physical health? Utilize this free, validated, self-report questionnaire to find out.

Take the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Questionnaire

The Tipping Point for Gambling Recovery Is Almost Always Financial

The study pinpointed the specific triggers that cause a person to first recognize their gambling is a problem and, later, to finally seek help. In both instances, one trigger stood out above all others: money.

Financial problems were the most common catalyst for both awareness and action. The data revealed:

40% of participants cited financial problems as the very first sign they noticed that their gambling was becoming harmful.
77% of participants said financial problems were the “tipping point” that ultimately caused them to try and limit their gambling.

This reliance on a financial crisis helps explain the “four-year silence”; the problem often isn’t perceived as real until it has a tangible, dollars-and-cents impact. For many, the abstract harms of addiction—such as emotional distress or lost time—are not enough to prompt action. This suggests that public health messaging focused solely on emotional well-being may be less effective than interventions that highlight the tangible financial risks of unchecked gambling.

The First Call for Help Isn’t to a Doctor, It’s to a Friend

When individuals finally decide to break their silence, they don’t typically start with a formal treatment program. The study mapped the typical order in which people seek support, revealing a clear pattern that begins with their closest connections.

The first source of help is usually informal: friends and family. This was the most common first step for participants in the study. In stark contrast, the last resort identified was formal, in-person counseling from a religious figure like a pastor or priest. While loved ones are the first line of defense, the study suggests they may lack the specialized knowledge to be the most effective, as their helpfulness was ranked 6th out of 11 options. This highlights the immense pressure placed on these informal relationships to manage a complex clinical issue.

What Makes a Strategy “Helpful” Is Highly Specific

The research found that there is no single “best” way to address problem gambling. Instead, participants found different strategies to be helpful for very distinct and specific reasons. The unique benefits of each approach were clear:

Friends and Family: Were uniquely helpful for instrumental support, particularly for managing money (e.g., holding bank cards for the individual).
Professional In-Person Counselling: Stood out for its effectiveness in helping people understand and cope with their emotions.
Gamblers Anonymous (GA): Was specifically noted by participants for its accessibility, offering both in-person and online meetings.
Self-Exclusion Programs: Were effective primarily because of the perceived consequences of being caught violating the ban.

The power of consequences in self-exclusion was vividly illustrated by one participant’s experience:

“…knowing that I would be escorted out, or even charged with trespassing was a deterrent.” (61-year-old man)

From an analyst’s perspective, this means a “one-size-fits-all” approach to treatment is bound to fail. Effective support requires a diagnostic approach that matches a person’s specific deficits—be it emotional regulation, financial control, or simply access to support—with the appropriate tool.

As professionals, our time is valuable. Dr. Weeks created the Mitigation Aide Research Archive because there isn’t enough focused, data-backed research available in easily digestible formats.

Gambling Recovery is Hard: Addiction Can Play “Whack-a-Mole”

The study confirmed a strong connection between problem gambling and other behavioral health issues. Over half of the participants (51%) felt their gambling was “definitely linked” to mental health or substance use problems. The research reinforces that gambling is often a maladaptive coping strategy for underlying distress.

The most surprising finding in this area, however, revealed a critical blind spot in the treatment system. Among participants who had previously sought treatment for substance use, their gambling problems often emerged concurrently with those treatment episodes. This suggests a predictable “addiction substitution” effect. When an individual’s primary coping mechanism (e.g., substances) is removed without addressing the underlying need to cope, they may swap it for another, like gambling. It indicates that individuals receiving specialized care for one addiction may be developing a serious gambling problem at the same time, yet screening for problem gambling in these settings is rare.

Closing the Gap Between Silence and Support

The four-year silence is not a void; it is a space filled with shame, misguided attempts to win back losses, and a problem that remains invisible until it devastates a bank account. It ends not with a doctor, but with a confession to a friend. The path to recovery for problem gambling is longer, more complex, and more hidden than many of us realize.

Understanding this predictable, hidden path is the first step in dismantling it. And the first step towards gambling recovery.

By illuminating this reality, we can better support those who are struggling. Knowing this hidden journey and its triggers, how can friends, family, and healthcare professionals better create safety nets to ensure that the four-year silence doesn’t have to be the norm?

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Then you should consult with a professional.

The post 5 Surprising Truths About the Path to Gambling Recovery first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

PA Department of Corrections 2022 Recidivism Report

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections 2022 recidivism report and a look at the known recidivism statistics offered within.

Learn more about Primary Prevention and its benefits in these articles:

The report provides some key statistics and is a follow up to the 2013 recidivism report.

Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Consult with a professional.

The post PA Department of Corrections 2022 Recidivism Report first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

Sibling Sexual Abuse: A Video on Recent Research

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Sibling Sexual Abuse is something that many people experience and are the victim of, but the scientific community hasn’t spent much time evaluating. In this video I cover some recent research articles linking this topic with family systems, trauma, and sexual abuse.

Learn More about Sibling Sexual Abuse

These sorts of traumatic events are often left out of the conversation even in treatment. However, more research will help both clinicians and victims during recovery.

Stay up-to-date with all of Dr. Jen’s work through her practice’s newsletter!

Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Then you should consult with a professional.

The post Sibling Sexual Abuse: A Video on Recent Research first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

Living with Sibling Sexual Abuse: A Parent’s Perspective

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000

In this video I discuss the latest research on parental impact of sibling sexual abuse (SSA). The consequences are far more serious for the parents in these situations because they have to handle both the abuser and the abused child.

Learn More about Sibling Sexual Abuse

The key takeaway from the video are the challenges and the insecurities these parents experience.

Are you exploring your trauma? Do you feel your childhood experiences were detrimental to your current mental or physical health? Utilize this free, validated, self-report questionnaire to find out.

Take the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Questionnaire

Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Consult with a professional.

The post Living with Sibling Sexual Abuse: A Parent’s Perspective first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

CSAM Recidivism: A Summary of Research

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000

In this video I give a brief summary of research studies and meta-analysis regarding the rate of recidivism for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) offenders.

Learn more about Primary Prevention and its benefits in these articles:

The most important take away here is understanding that internet-only offenders are at an extremely low-risk of sexually re-offending. 4.6% is the exact number based on Seto (2011).

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Consult with a professional.

Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.

The post CSAM Recidivism: A Summary of Research first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

Race and Sexual Offense Histories: A Video Research Summary

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000

In this video I summarize a research article that dissects the role the race of the offender plays in detected and undetected victims of sexual offenders. It delves into the sexual offense histories of both black and white men, regarding:

Types of sexual offenses committed
Characteristics of the identified victims
Differences in the rate of victims resulting in formal sanctions versus those that went undetected

Struggling with excessive sexual thoughts, urges, or activities that are causing you distress? Take the free, online Sexual Symptom Assessment Scale (SSAS) and get a link to share with your therapist.

The study also delves into Cultural Betrayal Trauma Theory (CBTT). This theory explains how systemic racism oppresses Black girls and women from reporting sexual abuse committed by Black boys or men. CBTT also helps to explain why sexual offense histories are so often under-reported in minority communities.

Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Then you should consult with a professional.

Preparing a sentencing report for a minor attracted person? Get the data you need, quickly, with Mitigation Aide.

The post Race and Sexual Offense Histories: A Video Research Summary first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

Money Shot: Not on the Face

Dr. Jennifer Weeks — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 19:13:00 +0000

In today’s culture, a lot of people have a lot of opinions or feelings about pornography. Depending on your beliefs, pornography can be the devil, a wonderful thing or something in between. But what are your thoughts on the money shot?

What can’t be disputed is the fact that the content of today’s pornography is has changed. The advent of Point-of-View (POV) videos changed the landscape of pornography. While we are long on opinions about pornography, we are rather short on scientific data.

Enter “As long as it is not in the face.”

Are you a Licensed Professional Counselor in need of continuing education? Learn more about addiction, pornography, and more from Dr. Weeks and Sexual Addiction Treatment Services, an NBCC ACEP™ approved provider!

A Study on the Money Shot

In 2023, Eran Shor published a study in the Journal Sexes that described his research specifically looking at the preferences of pornography viewers for how male ejaculation is filmed. This might seem an odd thing to research, but it’s not.

Many feminist theorists have stated that the prevalence of men ejaculating on women (the “money shot”) and particularly in their faces is indicative of misogyny or support of the aggression towards and degradation of women.

Dr. Shor’s research is one of the first of its kind to assess this topic with actual viewers of pornography.

He recruited over 300 people from across the world and interviewed them about their male ejaculation preferences in pornography.

His sample included men, women and several non-binary individuals who identified as straight, gay, bi-sexual, and queer.

The Evolution of the Money Shot

Before we dig into the results, let’s talk about today’s pornography.

Many feminist theorists are upset about the trend of showing male ejaculation on the faces of women. This upset is not without cause.

One study found that anywhere from 28% to 43% of the videos that were analyzed included the man ejaculating on the woman’s face.

Another study found that 45% of the videos they sampled included one or more men ejaculating on a woman’s face.

Stay up-to-date with all of Dr. Jen’s work through her practice’s newsletter!

Background on the Study

Some demographics about the participants in this study:

Women watched pornography on average 6.6 times per month and men 14.3 times per month.
The average age when they began to watch pornography was 13.4 for women and 12.3 for men. This is why we need pornography education for young people!
About half of the participants were from North America but participants came from South and Central America, Europe, the Middle East, South and East Asia, and Africa.

The two main interview questions were

How important was it for the person to see male ejaculation in a pornography video
Where would they prefer to see the men ejaculate (where on/in the body)

Where do viewers prefer the money shot happen?

In total, 26.6% of the participants did not care about male ejaculation and 37.8% preferred to see a man ejaculate in a woman’s vagina.

Only 9% of the total sample preferred to see male ejaculation on the woman’s face and 8.2% preferred to see it in a woman’s mouth.

When it came to seeing male ejaculation at all, 58.9% of men and 37.7% of women told the interviewers that seeing male ejaculation was not important to them.

Those who did feel that seeing male ejaculation was important in pornography were more often heterosexual and the sentiment was prevalent among those participants from the Middle East.

Do you believe you have an online pornography addiction? Take the free Cyber Pornography Addiction Test (CYPAT) and have the results to speak with your therapist.

Drumroll please…

There was a strong preference among participants to see ejaculation in the woman’s vagina.

The authors stated that “for some, primarily among male interviewees, the portrayal of vaginal ejaculations was favored because these indicated that the woman was willing to accept the male semen, implying that she was more engaged and involved in the sexual act and there was some reciprocity and mutual respect.”

Most viewers of pornography do NOT want to see a man ejaculate on a woman’s face. In fact, many viewers of pornography do not care about seeing men orgasm, contrary to much of the content of available pornography.

Furthermore, it challenges the hypothesis that there is a cultural fetishization of the “money shot” in popular pornography. This data does not appear to support the theories of many feminist scholars about facial ejaculation.

The second interesting finding of this study is that there appears to be a disconnect between what the pornography industry is producing commercially and what people (or at least these 300 people) want to see. There is a focus on male ejaculation in pornography and a focus on that ejaculation to be on a woman’s body.

As with any research study, the results are the beliefs of its’ participants. Though the sample was rather diverse, it may not represent the beliefs of all viewers of pornography.

Reference

Shor, E. (2023). “As Long as It’s Not on the Face.”: Pornography Viewers Discuss Male Ejaculation Perceptions and Preferences. Sexes, 4, 587-600. https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5118/4/4/38

Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Then you should consult with a professional.

Are you looking for more reputable data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.

The post Money Shot: Not on the Face first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.