Rookie,

For me, it would be considered an addiction if you were to stop altogether and start feeling the compulsion to give in and if that compulsion were to invade your everyday life where you had to literally set aside some time, often just to indulge, did not matter when, where or how you just have to indulge

Now an observation, if you are happily married as you say why do you need porn. I hope you realize that you cannot claim to be happily married and dealing with porn at the same time because eventually porn may get the upper hand and happily healthy married men do not look at porn because they do not need ti being with their wives is more than enough because they know they are complete beings lacking nothing to make them happy

Wolf

I think the fact that you think it's too much says a lot, as do the words "craving" and "need."

I too started using pornography when I was around 13, and was definitely addicted until about 1-1/2 years ago. My actual usage varied depending upon what was going on in my life at the time, but it was a crutch I couldn't seem to let go of. The issue wasn't so much often I needed to use it, but that I was feeling a compulsion to do something I knew was bad for me.

Personally, I've always believed that any use of pornography is wrong, regardless of the amount; and regardless of whether it constitutes an addiction. Even if I felt I could become a "casual user" and be totally in control of my behavior, I wouldn't use it.

Pornography is progressive. I was "happily married", yet used porn to "relieve myself" too. Then things gradually changed. Porn became more than a casual relief, it became all inclusive. I was lead to do things I said I never would. Porn addiction starts out small and progresses to become something huge. I cannot nor will I call you an addict, that is your call. I have 2 1/2 years clean from pornography. I can now say that my marriage is a happy one. One last thought, porn is selfish, it serves only the one viewing it. I believe that any sex, including masturbation outside the bond of marriage is selfish.

There is a TV show called My Strange Addiction. People can become addicted to all sorts of things. An addiction for one, can be pleasure without addiction for another.

Maybe the question should be, "Can or should I do this with my partner?"

Google the "four C's of addiction" and let us know how many of them apply to you.

" When you ask, "what is considered an addiction" it probably is.

Your self-reflection is a cue that there's an imbalance.

I read a good saying on this: "Porn is more about avoidance, numbing pain, and boredom than it is about sex."

I can say when I do it I don't feel great after - I feel like I've wasted a lot of time, and I don't feel better about myself.

I think acknowledging there's an issue is the first step.