Porn Addicts Anonymous (PAA)

What Is Porn Addicts Anonymous (PAA)?

Porn Addicts Anonymous brings together people who want to change their relationship with pornography and live more honestly and freely.

Rooted in the 12 Steps, the program offers a clear path forward for those who feel stuck in patterns of secrecy, isolation, or emotional disconnection caused by compulsive porn use.

PAA is open to anyone who wants to stop using pornography, no matter their background, identity, or beliefs.

The focus is on healing—not just behavior, but the underlying emotional and spiritual struggles that keep people trapped. It’s a space to rebuild trust with yourself and others, one step at a time.

How Does Porn Addicts Anonymous Work?

PAA helps individuals recover by offering a consistent, supportive framework rooted in the 12 Steps of recovery. Meetings are central to the program, providing a safe space to speak openly, listen to others, and stay connected to the path of healing.

Here’s what PAA involves:

• The 12 Steps: A process of spiritual and personal growth designed to help members find lasting freedom from addiction.
• Regular Meetings: PAA offers in-person, online, and phone meetings where members share experience and strength.
• Anonymity and Safety: Confidentiality and mutual respect are key values in every meeting.
• Spiritual Connection: Members define a Higher Power for themselves—no religious affiliation is required.
• Sponsorship and Fellowship: Many members work with a sponsor for guidance through the Steps and ongoing accountability.

Rather than focusing only on behavior, PAA addresses the deeper emotional and spiritual wounds that often drive compulsive porn use.

The 12 Steps of Porn Addicts Anonymous

The 12 Steps are a foundational part of PAA’s recovery model, offering a pathway to transformation through honesty, humility, and connection.

Here are the 12 Steps of Porn Addicts Anonymous:

1. We admitted we were powerless over pornography—that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Who Can Benefit from PAA?

Porn Addicts Anonymous is open to anyone who feels that pornography is interfering with their well-being, relationships, or ability to live authentically.

The program is not limited to any one group or definition of addiction—it’s about identifying patterns and seeking support to change them.

People who may benefit from PAA include those who:

• Feel unable to stop using porn despite wanting to
• Experience guilt, shame, or secrecy around their behavior
• Struggle to maintain emotional or sexual intimacy in relationships
• Use porn as a coping mechanism for stress, boredom, or trauma
• Have made repeated unsuccessful attempts to quit or cut back

Whether your relationship with pornography feels out of control or simply misaligned with your values, PAA offers a way forward.

How to Find a PAA Meeting

Whether you’re looking for quiet support or active connection, Porn Addicts Anonymous offers a variety of meeting formats to fit different needs, schedules, and comfort levels.

Meetings are where many members first discover they’re not alone—and where long-term recovery often begins.

Available meeting formats include:

• In-person meetings in select cities and communities, offering face-to-face connection in a private, respectful setting
• Online meetings via Zoom or other secure platforms, ideal for privacy, convenience, or those without local access
• Phone meetings for individuals who prefer audio-only support or need flexible options

Most meetings follow a simple, welcoming format that may include readings, open sharing, or discussion of recovery topics. You’re never required to speak or share personal information. Simply showing up and listening is enough.

To view the current meeting list, visit PAA’s Online directory. There’s no cost to attend, no application process, and no judgment—just people supporting one another on the path to change.

Getting Started with Porn Addicts Anonymous

Joining Porn Addicts Anonymous is simple, and there are no fees or complicated requirements. The only thing you need is a desire to stop using pornography and break free from compulsive behaviors.

If you’re new, here are some easy ways to get started:

• Attend a PAA meeting: Choose from in‑person, phone, or online options. Many newcomers start by just showing up and listening to other members’ stories.
• Explore PAA literature: The PAA literature and official website offers a ton of information about the program, the 12 Steps, and the tools they use for recovery.
• Connect with others in recovery: Build supportive relationships with peers who understand your struggles.
• Consider finding a sponsor: A sponsor can offer one‑on‑one guidance and accountability.

Taking that first step can feel intimidating, but Porn Addicts Anonymous is designed to be a safe, welcoming space for anyone ready to start their recovery journey.

Find a Meeting Near You

You don’t have to keep struggling in silence. Whether you’re looking for accountability, healing, or hope, Porn Addicts Anonymous offers support from people who understand.

To find a meeting, visit their meeting finder.

If you’re also dealing with mental health challenges or substance use, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or check out their online treatment locator for confidential, 24/7 support.

Written by

Jessica Miller

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

Reviewed by

• Fact-Checked
• Editor

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.