In part three of our series on pornography, this podcast continues to look at the dangers of pornography and it’s effects on the individual and the family. Eric Allred joins Jeff once again as they continue this discussion with some helpful suggestions for what parents can do to protect their children.

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***WARNING*** Information in this article is of a sensitive nature and contains frank information regarding sexual topics.  If this Information is offensive or undesired, please do not continue.

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West Ridge Academy

The second podcast in this series on pornography addiction, this episode asks the question, “What is the difference between pornography addiction and healthy sexuality?” Eric Allred, LMFT joins Jeff again as they discuss how pornography acts like a drug and causes brain dysfunction.

During the podcast, we mention the symptoms and effects of pornography addiction. The following is a list of these effects based on current research:

1. Not caring about women/men as real human beings; just thinking of them as objects
2. Starting to think rape isn’t a serious crime
3. Having a twisted view of sexuality (thinking of sexuality in unhealthy ways)
4. Not caring about having a long-term, stable relationship with one person (monogamous relationship)
5. Thinking your spouse isn’t a good enough sex partner
6. Beginning to think that marriage isn’t important
7. Not really caring about having children or raising a family
8. Thinking it’s normal and natural to have casual sex with many people
9. Trying out — or wanting to try out — sexual behaviors that aren’t healthy, legal, or natural (these behavior are also called sexually deviant behaviors)
10. Having a lot of struggles and problems in your close relationships
11. Thinking rape victims are the ones who are to blame for being raped and that rapists don’t need to be punished for their crimes
12.  Being much more likely to commit sexual abuse
13. Becoming sexually aggressive (violent or forceful)
14. Being more likely to get separated or divorced
15. Thinking the best sexual relationships are the ones that don’t involve emotional involvement or commitment
16. Being more likely to cheat on your spouse (emotionally and/or physically)
17. Being more likely to lose your job or get kicked out of college
18. Threatening the well-being of children in your home by straining marriage relationships, causing financial burdens, and increasing your children’s risk of being exposed to pornography
19. Starting to think that explicit or offensive sexual material isn’t that big of a deal (becoming desensitized)
20. Beginning to think that uncommon or unusual sexual activities (such as group sex or sex with animals) are normal and happen a lot
21. Losing the trust of those in close relationships
22. Developing a negative body image (thinking negatively about your body)
23. Getting wrong information about human sexual behavior
24. Being more likely to have oral, anal, or group sex
25. Being more likely to develop compulsive or addictive sexual behavior (in other words, being more likely to lose control over how often and how long you act out sexually)

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What about pornography?  It is a multi-billion dollar industry.  Even though it is considered by some researchers to be the third most addicting behavior, some may wonder if it is harmful.  In this podcast, Eric Allred, LMFT joins Jeff as they discuss pornography, and it’s potential harm. Particular focus is given to the prevalence of pornography addiction as it affects the individual, the family and society. Warning signs are also identified.

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Amy Whittaker, LCSW

In this podcast, West Ridge Academy Clinical Director, Amy Whittaker sits down with Jeff and discusses therapy in general. Does therapy work? What works best? In many cases a synergy occurs when a clinical problem is addressed using multiple methods. We start by discussing a recent study which found that up to half of severe mental health issues are not treated. We look at why some people resist getting therapeutic help even though it is clear that therapy is effective.  We also discuss the West Ridge multi-faceted approach to clinical issues.

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“Is substance abuse the same as when I was a teen?” In today’s world, statistics suggest that most teens will try to abuse some substance prior to graduating high school.  It is almost abnormal to not experiment or be curious about drug use.  This doesn’t mean that parents should not be concerned about a child who is using substances.  In fact, most students hide their substance use from their parents so if parents are seeing signs, then it may signal that it is time to find out a little more about it.  Additionally, we know that the more a parent is permissive, the more likely a child is to become dependent.  In this podcast, we try to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy.   We were able to pick the brains of Fiona Ray and Christina Howard of Visions, adolescent treatment centers, based out of Malibu, California.  There is an interesting discussion about the latest trends in substance abuse, parent involvement in treatment and more.

As mentioned in the podcast, if you would like more information regarding Visions, you can visit their website at www.visionsteen.com.

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Each year, schools and families spend a lot of time, energy and resources on athletic participation.  Is it worth it?  In this podcast, three current coaches join Jeff as they discuss the role that organized sports participation plays in the healthy development of youth.  The guests are current West Ridge Academy Girl’s Basketball Coach, Julie Lund; current West Ridge Athletic Director and Baseball Head Coach, Jamie Keefer; and Kearns High Boy’s Baseball Head Coach and former Athletic Director, Dave Ballard.  West Ridge Academy is one of the only therapeutic programs in the country that hosts a interscholastic athletic program.  The discussion in this podcast explores the relationship between sports, therapy and child development.

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What makes West Ridge different from other residential treatment centers?  Ken Allen, the Executive Director of West Ridge Academy, discusses the role of West Ridge Academy in serving troubled teens and their families.  West Ridge is one of the oldest, and most successful programs in the United States for dealing with troubled teens.  Many miraculous events throughout it’s history have formed it’s values, system, and culture.  This podcast tells the story — past, present, and future of West Ridge.

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Where should you turn, once you conclude that you need some clinical help with your child?  There are thousands of treatment programs and options, with various levels of intensity.  How do you know which one is right for your child?  In this podcast, Guy Hardcastle joins Jeff as they discuss different treatment options.   From outpatient counseling to in-patient treatment, the pros and cons of the most common treatment strategies are discussed.  As mentioned in the podcast, parents who need further assistance can call West Ridge Academy admissions at 1-800-262-2697.  Even if your child doesn’t fit the West Ridge Academy treatment setting, the admissions team will assist you in creating a short list of treatment options for your child.

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Not every teen that uses drugs uses them at the same level. Some are heavy into addiction and yet some are merely curious about the effects of drugs. Specialist Carrie Carter joins us again to talk about the continuum of drug use. In this initial discussion she introduces us to the different levels of drug use that teenagers are involved in. This episode touches on all four of the levels but focuses mostly on Natural Curiosity and Experimenting.

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