Viagra Addiction - Treatment, Symptoms and Causes

Viagra or Slidenafil is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. Approximately 20 million men have used it and the number is continuously increasing. The drug dilates the blood vessel increasing the blood flow to the penis resulting in a man having an erection beyond the normal levels. It was earlier developed for the men suffering from diseases such as diabetes and prostate cancer to treat erectile dysfunctions in them. However, presently it is mostly used by the younger generation having an age between 15- 30. With this increase and an extraordinary result, these people are getting addicted to it.

Viagra addiction is a psychological addiction, leading some people to feel unable to high healthy sexual life without it. Its addiction has somewhat made them crippled and dependent on it for their performance. It makes them believe that they are good for nothing..

In today’s world, a sexual performance decrease is observed due to the various reasons like obsession, depression, overwork, alcohol, drugs etc. due to which men feel that they need something to boost it and satisfy their partners. It leads them to one solution- taking Viagra. They become embraced by their stamina and performance after taking Viagra.

Some causes which lead men to this choice are:

• Performance anxiety issues- Nowadays, men expect too much from themselves that they start having anxiety issues and to overcome these, they turn towards Viagra.
• Porn Films- These have increased the expectations of both men and women. To men, it tells the things which they couldn’t do like going on for hours during a sexual intercourse. In women, it has increased sexual confidence and demand from a partner.
• Career Oriented women: Presently, women want children after they have established their careers. It put a pressure on men to perform at a prescribed time and the sex here becomes mechanistic without the presence of any desire. That’s why they take the help of Viagra.
• Environment: As a man is known by the company he keeps, the people around the men can also make a man addicted to the Viagra. Usually, a man is recommended Viagra whenever he goes on date, by his friends.

These causes can lead to such addiction which is not easy to leave. A person has to go through various treatments to get rid of this addiction.

The Symptoms which a Viagra addicted man shows is:

• Addiction to Viagra to such extent that he can go into debt to buy the product.
• Missing social events and workplace because of the feeling of sexual dysfunction in the absence of Viagra.
• Facial flushing, blocked nose and blurred vision
• Resisted so much to drug that a higher dosage is needed to show its effect.
• Cold Sweating
• Loss of emotional contact with the partner.

A person’s intention is one of the main parameters behind a treatment. Though, one can easily get addicted to the Viagra, the non addiction to this is a long term process. It starts by reducing the dosage to approximately nil. A specialist can help in this. By using the drug analogues (same properties as of Viagra but less addictive), the habit of Viagra can be reduced. It will also decrease the withdrawal symptoms a person might face. A counsellor can help in solving misunderstanding between man and his partner to prevent the man from using the Viagra.

Following methods can be used to prevent this addiction:

• Educating about advantages and disadvantages of taking Viagra to people especially youth through awareness programs.
• Sex education to decrease the performance anxiety issues in a man
• Teaching the reality of porn films and its addiction so that expectations of men and women do not increase from their partners.
• At an individual level, changing the environment as well as going to sex specialist to treat their problems can help.
• Stopping illegal sell of Viagra. Selling it to those with prescription from a specialist.

As withdrawal symptoms are effect seen in men when they suddenly stops taking Viagra or drastically decrease its amount, it may vary from person to person and the time they are addicted. So, a person may feel the following withdrawal symptoms:

• Heart problems
• HIV or Hepatitis- It is seen that many people under the impact of Viagra usually have unprotected sex. This may lead to them having HIV or hepatitis.
• Ringing in ears and vision problems
• Depression
• The Viagra usually leads to partial erection, so it may cause some major problems in the person

These withdrawal symptoms may sometimes lead even to death. That’s why the Viagra are made illegal in many countries and a prescription of doctor is required to buy them.