The number of people being treated for sex addiction and other addictive behaviour in Ireland has surged during the recession.

Experts say thousands of Irish men particularly are using pornography to cope with stress and give them a sense of  empowerment in their lives. alcoholism, gambling and compulsive behavior is also on the rise

Clinical practitioners believed that this is due to the people of Ireland finding ways to cope with street.

Colin O’Driscoll , the Director of the private Forest treatment centre, in County Wicklow, said that the increase in pressures during recession was the cause of this increase.

“I think there is a lead-in time so I don't think we are seeing the level of sex addictions that are going to reveal themselves. I think we will see more over the years,” he said while speaking to the Sunday Tribune.

"There are a few reasons; firstly (online porn) industries are marketing themselves very skillfully. The Internet is very new and 20 years ago this would have been an issue we wouldn't be discussing.

"You could almost call it aggressive marketing strategies. With Internet porn there are loads of pop-up ads and unsolicited emails come into your account."

O’Driscoll has also marked an increase in the number of people seeking professional help for compulsions such as gambling, eating and alcohol. He believes that all of these are bolstered by marketing tactics.