How to Stop OnlyFans Addiction

OnlyFans is a social media platform available by subscription. Content creators – including sex workers, celebrities and influencers – share videos, photos and live streams with subscribers, known as fans.

In this article, we highlight the common signs of OnlyFans addiction and explain what to do if you or a loved one are struggling to control your usage.

Is OnlyFans harmful?

OnlyFans may seem like harmless fun, but it has a dark side and is a dangerous app. As well as easy access to pornography, users have been exposed to harassment, stalking and even identity theft and sex trafficking. However, there are no reliable OnlyFans statistics available to show how many users have been negatively affected by these issues.

If you are a concerned loved one, you may have some questions such as:

• Is OnlyFans bad for my relationship?
• My husband has an OnlyFans account – is OnlyFans cheating?
• My partner doesn’t understand why OnlyFans is wrong – what can I do?

We suggest you have an open conversation with your partner about why and how they use the site. Some couples find that OnlyFans puts a strain on their relationship, while for others it can inject some excitement into their lives. In our experience, one of the most common risks of OnlyFans is addiction.

Why is OnlyFans so addictive?

OnlyFans can become addictive for both fans and content creators.

When fans spend on the platform, dopamine is released and their brain identifies it as a rewarding activity which they should repeat. As a result, some individuals feel compelled to consume more content to recreate the same feeling – like the high experienced when gambling or taking drugs. They can also become addicted to the thrill of engaging in something taboo or risky, especially when viewing sexually explicit content. This can lead to compulsive spending, with some users racking up thousands of dollars on credit cards to fund their habit ¹ 1. My boyfriend blew $10K on his OnlyFans addiction — while I was nursing newborn × .

Creators can become dependent on the attention and validation they receive from their audience. They can also become reliant on the platform for the money they can make from sharing content. Once they have become used to this income stream, it can be difficult to give it up.

Both fans and creators may compulsively check and post on the platform to escape from negative emotions or difficult situations, or to relieve boredom or loneliness.

10 signs of OnlyFans addiction

You may be wondering whether you’re addicted to the platform; how much OnlyFans is too much? Everyone experiences addiction differently but here are some common signs that you need to curb your usage:

1. You’re unable to cut down or control the time you spend OnlyFans, despite repeated attempts.
2. You’re constantly preoccupied with the content you have viewed or created.
3. You experience withdrawal symptoms – such as irritability, anxiety or stress – when you’re unable to access the platform.
4. You need to spend increasing amounts of time watching or creating content to experience the same high.
5. You have lost your enthusiasm for other activities – OnlyFans is your only interest.
6. You continue to log onto the site despite negative consequences.
7. You lie to loved ones about the extent to which you use the platform and are evasive if they ask how to see OnlyFans purchase history.
8. You use the platform as escapism to avoid negative aspects of your life.
9. You have neglected work, school, relationships and other important responsibilities to spend more time on OnlyFans.
10. You feel compelled to constantly refresh your feed to check for notifications and messages.

5 ways to break your OnlyFans addiction

If OnlyFans is having a negative impact on your life, there are steps you can take to change your unhealthy patterns of behavior. But first you need to recognize you have a problem and want to overcome it. Here are some tips to help break your reliance on OnlyFans. This information is also useful to help others who are showing signs of OnlyFans addiction.

1. Limit your time on OnlyFans

Be more intentional with your OnlyFans usage and set some strict boundaries. Work out how much time you want to spend on the platform. Then try to reduce it by a few minutes each day by using an alarm or screen time limit app. When your allotted time is up, commit to exiting the site and focussing on something else.

2. Speak to your bank

If you’re unable to restrain your spending on OnlyFans, speak to your bank. They may be able to support you by blocking any OnlyFans payments you attempt to make. If this is not an option, cut up your credit cards and replace them with a debit card so you can only spend money you actually have in your bank account.

3. Widen your social circle

Loneliness and addiction go hand in hand for some OnlyFans users. And finding a way out of loneliness is addictive as it can drive them to social media for a sense of belonging. Try to spend more time with people IRL. You’re unlikely to widen your social circle or find a soulmate overnight, but you can increase your chances of meeting people by being proactive – perhaps take up a new activity or register on a dating site.

4. Talk to someone

Confide in someone else – you don’t need to struggle alone. They will be able to give you encouragement and support as you work through your addiction. This could be a friend or family member, therapist or counsellor, or you could join an online forum or community and connect with other people who are addicted to OnlyFans or other social media platforms.

5. Delete your OnlyFans account

If you’ve tried to curb your OnlyFans usage, without success, the only way to truly break free may be to delete your account. Depending on the extent of your addiction, you could need some assistance.

Need help for OnlyFans addiction?

OnlyFans addiction is a serious issue that can have harmful consequences when left untreated. If you or a loved one have tried to reduce your reliance on the platform without success, we can help.

At Game Quitters, our 12-week coaching programs are designed to help individuals establish a healthier relationship with technology and families understand how to support them.

Get in touch to book a call to discuss how to quit OnlyFans addiction and regain control of your life.