For generations, alcohol and cigarettes have been ingrained in American culture, long-standing among the most prevalent addictions.
However, recent data shows a dramatic shift, with pornography now ranking as the nation’s top addiction in 2024. A leading U.S. addiction and mental health treatment facility, pornography, alcohol, and gambling are now the top three addictions that Americans seek help for, based on search data.
The study analyzed 58 types of addictions, focusing on Google searches pairing these addictions with keywords like “therapy,” “recovery,” and “help with addiction.”
With an average of 30,749 monthly searches, pornography far exceeds alcohol (9,057 searches) and gambling (6,128 searches) as the addiction people most frequently seek support for terms like “porn addiction recovery” and “porn addiction therapy” dominate search queries, while gambling-related searches center on “betting addiction treatment,” and alcohol queries most often focus on “alcohol addiction treatment.”
Completing the top five are opioids and food addiction, both linked to serious health risks, including heart disease and overdose, which have been rising for decades.
According to Sunrise Recovery, the most dangerous addictions are those that lead individuals to make harmful choices, prioritize their addiction over relationships and responsibilities, and feel unable to live without it.
Other addictions gaining attention include marijuana, video games, shopping, social media, and benzodiazepines. Although social media is not currently a high-ranking treatment focus, increasing awareness could change that as exposure to technology rises among young people.
These findings reflect significant public health trends, highlighting the urgent need for expanded resources and support to combat these issues. Addressing such addiction-related challenges is essential for fostering healthier communities and enhancing overall well-being, according to Origins Recovery analysts.
Why Choose Sunrise Recovery
Sunrise Recovery is recognized for its integrative treatment approach, combining medical expertise with empathetic support. Unlike traditional rehabilitation programs, Sunrise Recovery utilizes a multi-disciplinary team to assess and treat the full scope of addiction.
With state-of-the-art facilities and access to the latest in addiction research, Sunrise Recovery offers a range of therapeutic modalities, from inpatient and outpatient care to specialized behavioral programs like Smart Recovery.
The center’s emphasis on individualized care and evidence-based methods makes it an optimal choice for those seeking a balanced, professional approach to addiction recovery.
The center’s emphasis on individualized care and evidence-based methods makes it an optimal choice for those seeking a balanced, professional approach to addiction recovery.
Recap
In 2024, addiction in America has seen a marked shift, with pornography surpassing alcohol and cigarettes as a primary concern.
Studies show that behavioral addictions engage similar neurological pathways to those of substance use disorders, necessitating specialized, evidence-based treatments like CBT and MAT.
Sunrise Recovery provides a leading example of effective, compassionate addiction care, offering customized, research-backed solutions across a spectrum of addiction types.
Next Steps
For individuals experiencing any form of addiction, it is crucial to seek medical care and consult professionals who understand the science of addiction and recovery.
Programs like those at Sunrise Recovery are designed to offer both the immediate support needed and long-term strategies to achieve and maintain sobriety.
