Worried about your porn use?
If porn is taking up more of your time than you want, feels difficult to control, or is affecting your wellbeing, studies, relationships or sex life, Pivotal Recovery for Students can help.
The University of Birmingham has partnered with Pivotal Recovery to offer students free, confidential access to a professionally developed online recovery programme as part of a pilot study.
Free access to Pivotal Recovery for Students
Pivotal Recovery is a self-help programme developed by specialist psychotherapist, researcher and author Dr Paula Hall, drawing on many years of clinical experience working with problematic porn use and compulsive sexual behaviours.
The programme includes:
- 40 short podcast sessions
- A personal online workbook
- Practical tools and exercises to help you understand your behaviour and make changes
There are no live groups or therapy sessions to attend. You can access the programme privately, online and in your own time, and work through it at your own pace over 60 days.
The aim is not simply to tell you to stop watching porn. Pivotal helps you understand what is driving your porn use, recognise the patterns that keep it going, develop practical ways to regain control, and make positive changes that last.
Not sure if your porn use is a problem?
You don’t need to identify as an “addict” to use Pivotal.
If you’re unsure whether your porn use has become problematic, you can take the ‘Am I an addict?’ self-assessment on the Pivotal Recovery website. It can help you reflect on your current habits and whether they may be having an impact on your life.
If you’re unsure, then you might like to take the ‘Am I an addict?’ test on the Pivotal Recovery website. This can help you reflect on your habits and how they’re affecting you.
How to get free access
Your participation is confidential. Your use of Pivotal will not appear on your University academic record, and personal information you provide to Pivotal Recovery will not be shared with the University.
To take part in the pilot study and receive free access to Pivotal Recovery for Students, complete the form and we’ll email you with the next steps.
Receive free access to Pivotal Recovery
Participant Information Sheet
Terms and Conditions - Pivotal Recovery
Who can apply for free access to Pivotal Recovery?
This pilot study is open to all current University of Birmingham students whilst there are licences available (up to 300).
Will anyone be told I am accessing Pivotal?
No not at all. Once you have registered your details, you will be sent the code to access the Pivotal course, and no personalised information will be shared by Pivotal with the University about your course engagement.
No, this is a free pilot study and there are up to 300 licences available. The normal cost of accessing Pivotal Recovery is approximately £95.
What does the course cover?
You can find more information about the course on the Pivotal Recovery website. This pilot study is a slightly condensed version of the course which has been adapted specifically with students in mind.
The course consists of 40 pre-recorded podcasts and an online workbook which you can access and work through in your own time - all aimed to help you explore and understand your porn use and make the changes you need to have a fulfilling life at university.
Is there a time limit to start and complete the course?
Once you receive your unique access code you will have 7 days to enrol on the course. If you choose not to enrol you will be withdrawn from the study and you will not be contacted again.
If you start the course then decide to withdraw, you can email student@pivotalrecovery.org and you will be taken off the course.
Once enrolled, you have 70 days to complete the course – and once it's completed and you have returned the anonymous feedback form, then you will have lifetime access to the content.
What other information is required?
After you have completed the course or disengaged, you will be sent an anonymous survey asking about your experiences with the Pivotal Recovery course and if you found it helpful.