GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) – Porn addiction is something often never talked about, but likely present in every city and town in the East.

Porn can become part of a daily routine for both men and women of any age. Even those in the religious community aren’t exempt.

Ignite Church Pastor Jason Lineberger said his porn addiction during college was one of the darkest moments of his life.

“That was a way that I could de-stress and I justified it in my mind, but it was a very regular portion of my college experience,” he said.

During that time, Lineberger was already prepared to become a pastor after his years at UNC. He said the porn addiction only stopped once his friends found out about it and confronted him.

“You think you can hide your tracks? Sin always has a way of catching up with you,” he said.

But Lineberger is certainly not alone. Recent statistics estimate that more than 30 percent of internet sites are pornographic. In the technology age, mobile porn is now estimated to be worth more than $2.8 billion.

But there is help.

“Secrets often feed shame, and shame keeps us stuck,” said Jessica Holton, a licensed addiction specialist in Greenville. She said addictions take over because people seek things that give them instant rewards and are easy. To kick an addiction, a person must be willing to work and change.

“An individual has to replace that time that they’re watching porn, with something more helpful, something more adaptive,” Holton said.

Perhaps the most shocking part about the porn industry is how prevalent child porn remains. Statistics estimate child porn is worth more than $3 billion and quickly growing. The images associated with it often depict children between the age of 0 and 10 years old.

Lineberger said one of the best things God has ever done for him was help him kick the addiction. He suggests anyone suffering from it to talk about it.

“All the negative things that you think are going to happen if you share your story, with repentance and remorse, they’re probably not,” he said.

Since opening Ignite Church in 2010, Lineberger said he has spoken to hundreds of men and women about porn addictions.

Statistics show Sunday is the day of the week that the most porn is viewed, which doesn’t surprise Lineberger. He said often times when people try to get closer to God, temptations for sin only become stronger.

If you have an addiction and are seeking help, you can contact Jessica Holton by clicking here.