Can I Form An Addiction To Viagra?

Medically Reviewed by Johnelle Smith, M.D. on February 11, 2021

Long-term use of Viagra may lead to dangerous side effects. Viagra abuse can lead to psychological dependency and addiction.

Medically Reviewed by
Johnelle Smith, M.D. on February 11, 2021
Is Viagra Addictive?

Prescriptions for male enhancement drugs like Viagra have become increasingly common among young men in their 20s and older.

Concerns about sexual performance, underlying psychological problems, and erectile dysfunction have resulted in many men seeking out options to improve their sexual function.

Male enhancement drugs improve blood flow to male organs during sexual stimulation. These drugs work to improve the body’s ability to supply and retain blood in the male organ during arousal, greatly improving the odds of a positive and fulfilling sexual encounter for both partners.

However, drugs like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra are being used by individuals who lack concerns about sexual performance, entirely. Sexual enhancement drugs are now being abused recreationally.

Viagra Abuse

Recreational Viagra abuse is an increasingly common problem. A number of men who do not suffer from e are using the drug to enhance sexual performance.

In many cases, men who use Viagra recreationally mix the drug with other illicit drugs such as Ecstasy or amphetamines, in order to produce a euphoric sexual high.

When ED drugs are abused in this way, the drug gives men a confidence boost and leads to risks of psychological dependency.

People who do not tell their doctor about their ED medication, or lie about health issues in order to get a prescription, often do so at great risks of developing dangerous adverse side effects.

While addiction to Viagra is rare, dependency and addiction to Viagra is possible. Further, sexual performance drugs often affect an individual’s personal life and relationships.

Abusing Viagra, without the oversight and prescribing of a qualified physician, may lead to further damages.

How Viagra Works

The active ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil citrate, which is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i). This medication blocks the enzyme PDE5, which prevents the relaxation of smooth muscle tissue in the body.

When blood is prevented from flowing properly into the penis, erectile dysfunction may result. Viagra relaxes the walls of blood vessels, allowing blood flow to enter into parts of the penis that cause an erection. This medication not only allows an erection to occur, but to last for a longer period of time.

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Erectile dysfunction may be caused by other physical and medical issues, including mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Other main causes may include cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, diabetes, and hormonal imbalances.

It is possible that an erection will last longer than the sexual encounter, leading to a persistent erection when an individual is not sexually aroused.

Side Effects Of Viagra

Viagra may increase the risk of heart attack, strokes, or heart rhythm irregularities in individuals with underlying cardiovascular disease.

Viagra relaxes and widens the walls of arteries throughout the body. This effect may exacerbate heart disease in individuals suffering from certain medical conditions, such as low blood pressure or hypertension.

Taking a high dose of the medication may cause priapism, a painful erection lasting longer than four hours. This condition may damage tissues of the penis due to the restriction of oxygen-carrying blood supply into the organ. People who develop priapism require emergency medical assistance.

Viagra may also lead to long-term vision and hearing loss when used at high doses and over longer periods of time.
Individuals who abuse prescription medication recreationally may be at higher risk of experiencing adverse side effects of Viagra.

Psychological Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction

Psychological factors may contribute to the development of erectile dysfunction. Individuals who suffer from anxiety, stress, depression, or other mental health conditions may develop psychological impotence.

In these cases, it is recommended to seek assistance from a mental health professional rather than treating impotence with medication alone.

Other factors, including pornography and media, may lead many men to develop psychological impotence.

Individuals report developing erectile dysfunction after watching pornographic material, attributing fears of inadequacy, an increase in masturbation, and desensitization to normal sexual stimuli as the result.

For all individuals who take the medication, Viagra may lead to physical dependence and an inability to perform when not taking the drug. This result may also occur in individuals who do not suffer from sexual dysfunction and abuse the medication recreationally.

How A Viagra Addiction Develops

Psychological addiction to Viagra may be caused by underlying psychological factors such as performance anxiety.
People who form dependence and addiction to the drug may begin to associate Viagra with pleasure and relief from unaddressed psychological factors that cause impotence.

In cases of recreational use, psychological addiction may develop when the medication is used habitually to get high during sexual activity.

When abused in this way, especially in cases when the medication is mixed with other illegal drugs, strong addiction to taking the drug to enhance the sexual experience may occur.

Men who abuse Viagra habitually may develop chemical tolerance to the drug and require large doses to achieve the same effects. Taking high doses of Viagra may lead to higher risks of experiencing adverse effects from the drug.

Getting Treatment For Viagra Addiction

Many individuals safely use Viagra to get relief from symptoms of erectile dysfunction, however, use of the drug comes with risks of side effects, physical dependency, and psychological addiction.

When performance-enhancing drugs are abused recreationally, individuals are at high risk of experiencing dangerous adverse effects.

Those struggling with addiction to Viagra or other performance-enhancing drugs should seek professional healthcare before serious medical intervention is required.

While addiction to erectile drugs may be infrequent, health risks from using or abusing the medication should not be minimized.

Along with risks of side effects and addiction, overuse of Viagra may affect an individual’s personal life and romantic relationships leading to further damages.

If you or a loved one have an addiction to Viagra, or if you have any questions about addiction treatment programs, please connect with our treatment center through our helpline today.

This page does not provide medical advice. See more

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These include peer-reviewed journals, government entities and academic institutions, and leaders in addiction healthcare and advocacy. Learn more about how we safeguard our content by viewing our editorial policy.

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