Home
Forums
Forums

Quick Links
- Search Forums
- Recent Posts
- Search Forums
- Recent Posts
Groups
Groups

Quick Links
- Search Groups
- Search Groups
Update Day Counter
Members
Members

Quick Links
Search
Search titles only

Posted by Member:

Separate names with a comma.

Newer Than:

Search this thread only

Search this forum only

Display results as threads

More...
Search

Log in

Welcome to NoFap! We have disabled new forum accounts from being registered for the time being. In the meantime, you can join our weekly accountability groups.
Dismiss Notice

Are There Any Cases of Long Term Rebooters Successfully Overcoming PAWS

Discussion in 'Rebooting - Porn Addiction Recovery' started by showmethepmofacts, Jan 30, 2020.

Page 1 of 2

Jan 30, 2020 #1

showmethepmofacts Fapstronaut

32

27

8

Can you link to any posts of people claiming they fought PAWS for months/years and eventually healed?

Because I’m 95% certain most of the people on this forum that are 1-2 years in are actually just depressed and not facing PAWS. This idea of a temporary affliction gives them false hope that one day they will be happy again without having to work on mental health. However my mindset is open and I would like to read said cases. I have searched all forums before without any luck. I promise to read everything linked

Last edited: Jan 30, 2020

showmethepmofacts, Jan 30, 2020

showmethepmofacts, Jan 30, 2020

#1

Espi1971, AspiringVitality and Don Quixote like this.
Jan 31, 2020 #2

showmethepmofacts Fapstronaut

32

27

8

Don Quixote said: ↑

I appreciate you asking this question. Here's my take: I'm not expecting to wake up one day and be "happy" in some ideal sense although that has been happening more frequently in my recovery. I'm just trying to regain my full cognitive capacity, which did not see any improvement the last three years of relapses. I am now 16months no PMO, and I am doing SO much better. I can't stress that enough. Before I was unable to function on the most basic human levels. I was that bad cognitively speaking.

I'm very familiar with depression and anxiety in my life. But Recently, I have been overcome by the most childlike feelings of fullness, a sense of wonder and magic that come and go, and I can assure you I haven't done anything special to acquire those feelings beyond abstaining from PMO and living a rather mundane life. I have experienced bouts of heavy depression more recently in my recovery, which I saw as actually a good sign, a return of feeling. The first year was just pure anhedonia, brain fog, and cognitive impairment. My brain was like concrete. I didn't have the ability to feel anything. But the depression is tapering off (which I didn't expect) and the positive emotion is becoming more consistent and reliable. I'm sleeping better. I have more energy. I'm more motivated. A couple months ago, I was only getting 1 good day per month, a few more neutral days, and several bad. Now it seems like a week to week thing, which is great because it makes progress feel like a real tangible thing now.

Now, I don't know everything that's going on in my brain. I just know the simple formula PMO = bad brain and no PMO = better brain. And it is getting better. I'm what people call a cynical pessimist, and I have an incredible ability to ruminate upon negative thoughts and overwhelm myself with negative emotions, and yet I am just now peeking through a veil of positive reality that was completely intangible to me in the last three years, one that I haven't really done anything to seek after. I've been eating healthy for years, so it can't be that. I don't exercise, so it can't be that either. I'm really doing nothing other than abstaining. But somehow my psychological health is radically improving, and my cognitive impairment is too.

A lot of these long term rebooters have problems that are not related to PMO, but they think it's the silver bullet, no doubt. But you look closer into their accounts and you find that they have been interacting with heavy drugs and alcohol, relapsing frequently while claiming 1-2 years of recovery, or otherwise living horrible lives. Some have had severe trauma and others pre-existing conditions, and I think for those people it's a longer road ahead, and I think that's generally why some recover super fast and some slower. The more baggage you have the more your brain has to sort out, and abstaining wont be enough to cover the bill, but abstaining is still the best thing in the world that you can do, I think. I'm becoming, very slowly, a testament to that fact. And 16 months is no joke. Not to toot my own horn, but it's been a long journey. The first year was scary. Lots of days where I thought I was done for, not knowing if I would ever be able to function like a normal human being. And here I am doing pretty ok. And I have zero doubt that the next couple of months will show more benefits from abstaining so long as I saddle up for the ride.

I don't know if this is what you were looking for in a response, but if you're feeling hopeless, you can get better. Don't give up, man. Your life is too valuable. Just be honest with your deepest self, as much as you can be, and do what you know you gotta do. Give yourself lots and lots of grace, forgiveness, but always strive to be heroic, too. Fight the beast, and win the prize!
Click to expand...

I believe you man. It just sucks accepting that it takes so long. I’ve seen all the studies that are relevant too.. takes 100 days for brain to recover from just one hit of cocaine, 14 months for dopamine transporters to recover to near normal levels in recovered alcoholics, and also 14 months for meth users to have near normal brain activity. I’m sure looking back it’ll all make sense in a few months. Thanks for the reply

showmethepmofacts, Jan 31, 2020

showmethepmofacts, Jan 31, 2020

#2

SV47, Fendi24, Navier and 3 others like this.
Jan 31, 2020 #3

showmethepmofacts Fapstronaut

32

27

8

Don Quixote said: ↑

If it's any consolation (and I'm no expert on anything) but I believe heavy drugs are far more dangerous and damaging to your brain than PMO. Meth is insane. If you read up on what that does to you, you can be thankful that you're not one of them. PMO is unique though. As a behavioral addiction, it certainly is deeply wrapped inside something that is so essential to your identity--your sexuality. I think that's what makes it complicated and difficult to overcome. But it can be. It's worth every day of purgatory to get your life back. There's just no telling what you could become after passing through that crucible!
Click to expand...

There are some things to be thankful for I guess haha. It surprised me to see that alcoholics took so long to recover dopamine-related issues from what I thought was primarily a gabanergic effecting drug.

I think this whole PMO thing is unique in the sense that it hijacks sexual reward circuitry that took hundreds of thousands of years to develop. So while it is a behavioral addiction, and you aren’t injecting anything, it still capitalizes on a system that will produce ridiculous amounts of dopamine that other behaviors would not.

showmethepmofacts, Jan 31, 2020

showmethepmofacts, Jan 31, 2020

#3

Optimum Fortitude, AspiringVitality and Don Quixote like this.
Jan 31, 2020 #4

thelightfantastic Fapstronaut

70

81

18

Could you clarify what PAWS stands for please? Thanks to you both for an interesting and enlightening read.

thelightfantastic, Jan 31, 2020

thelightfantastic, Jan 31, 2020

#4

Don Quixote likes this.
Jan 31, 2020 #5

showmethepmofacts Fapstronaut

32

27

8

thelightfantastic said: ↑

Could you clarify what PAWS stands for please? Thanks to you both for an interesting and enlightening read.
Click to expand...

Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. Aka the flatline.

showmethepmofacts, Jan 31, 2020

showmethepmofacts, Jan 31, 2020

#5

Don Quixote likes this.
Jan 31, 2020 #6

filmit57 Fapstronaut

129

270

63

Well I can tell you that I am definitely part of the 5% you speak of who are in PAWS just short of 1 year hard mode. I’ve been getting classic withdrawal symptoms with a lot of highs and lows related to PMO. Your welcome to follow me as I am 100% dedicated to feeling better.

filmit57, Jan 31, 2020

filmit57, Jan 31, 2020

#6

Freeddom_Taker, AspiringVitality, Don Quixote and 1 other person like this.
Feb 1, 2020 #7

filmit57 Fapstronaut

129

270

63

Don Quixote said: ↑

I appreciate you asking this question. Here's my take: I'm not expecting to wake up one day and be "happy" in some ideal sense although that has been happening more frequently in my recovery. I'm just trying to regain my full cognitive capacity, which did not see any improvement the last three years of relapses. I am now 16months no PMO, and I am doing SO much better. I can't stress that enough. Before I was unable to function on the most basic human levels. I was that bad cognitively speaking.

I'm very familiar with depression and anxiety in my life. But Recently, I have been overcome by the most childlike feelings of fullness, a sense of wonder and magic that come and go, and I can assure you I haven't done anything special to acquire those feelings beyond abstaining from PMO and living a rather mundane life. I have experienced bouts of heavy depression more recently in my recovery, which I saw as actually a good sign, a return of feeling. The first year was just pure anhedonia, brain fog, and cognitive impairment. My brain was like concrete. I didn't have the ability to feel anything. But the depression is tapering off (which I didn't expect) and the positive emotion is becoming more consistent and reliable. I'm sleeping better. I have more energy. I'm more motivated. A couple months ago, I was only getting 1 good day per month, a few more neutral days, and several bad. Now it seems like a week to week thing, which is great because it makes progress feel like a real tangible thing now.

Now, I don't know everything that's going on in my brain. I just know the simple formula PMO = bad brain and no PMO = better brain. And it is getting better. I'm what people call a cynical pessimist, and I have an incredible ability to ruminate upon negative thoughts and overwhelm myself with negative emotions, and yet I am just now peeking through a veil of positive reality that was completely intangible to me in the last three years, one that I haven't really done anything to seek after. I've been eating healthy for years, so it can't be that. I don't exercise, so it can't be that either. I'm really doing nothing other than abstaining. But somehow my psychological health is radically improving, and my cognitive impairment is too.

A lot of these long term rebooters have problems that are not related to PMO, but they think it's the silver bullet, no doubt. But you look closer into their accounts and you find that they have been interacting with heavy drugs and alcohol, relapsing frequently while claiming 1-2 years of recovery, or otherwise living horrible lives. Some have had severe trauma and others pre-existing conditions, and I think for those people it's a longer road ahead, and I think that's generally why some recover super fast and some slower. The more baggage you have the more your brain has to sort out, and abstaining wont be enough to cover the bill, but abstaining is still the best thing in the world that you can do, I think. I'm becoming, very slowly, a testament to that fact. And 16 months is no joke. Not to toot my own horn, but it's been a long journey. The first year was scary. Lots of days where I thought I was done for, not knowing if I would ever be able to function like a normal human being. And here I am doing pretty ok. And I have zero doubt that the next couple of months will show more benefits from abstaining so long as I saddle up for the ride.

I don't know if this is what you were looking for in a response, but if you're feeling hopeless, you can get better. Don't give up, man. Your life is too valuable. Just be honest with your deepest self, as much as you can be, and do what you know you gotta do. Give yourself lots and lots of grace, forgiveness, but always strive to be heroic, too. Fight the beast, and win the prize!
Click to expand...

this speaks to me my first year so far has been the same as yours full of brain fog

filmit57, Feb 1, 2020

filmit57, Feb 1, 2020

#7

Espi1971, AspiringVitality and Don Quixote like this.
Feb 1, 2020 #8

Eaglevision_2019 Fapstronaut

161

187

43

Don Quixote said: ↑

I appreciate you asking this question. Here's my take: I'm not expecting to wake up one day and be "happy" in some ideal sense although that has been happening more frequently in my recovery. I'm just trying to regain my full cognitive capacity, which did not see any improvement the last three years of relapses. I am now 16months no PMO, and I am doing SO much better. I can't stress that enough. Before I was unable to function on the most basic human levels. I was that bad cognitively speaking.

I'm very familiar with depression and anxiety in my life. But Recently, I have been overcome by the most childlike feelings of fullness, a sense of wonder and magic that come and go, and I can assure you I haven't done anything special to acquire those feelings beyond abstaining from PMO and living a rather mundane life. I have experienced bouts of heavy depression more recently in my recovery, which I saw as actually a good sign, a return of feeling. The first year was just pure anhedonia, brain fog, and cognitive impairment. My brain was like concrete. I didn't have the ability to feel anything. But the depression is tapering off (which I didn't expect) and the positive emotion is becoming more consistent and reliable. I'm sleeping better. I have more energy. I'm more motivated. A couple months ago, I was only getting 1 good day per month, a few more neutral days, and several bad. Now it seems like a week to week thing, which is great because it makes progress feel like a real tangible thing now.

Now, I don't know everything that's going on in my brain. I just know the simple formula PMO = bad brain and no PMO = better brain. And it is getting better. I'm what people call a cynical pessimist, and I have an incredible ability to ruminate upon negative thoughts and overwhelm myself with negative emotions, and yet I am just now peeking through a veil of positive reality that was completely intangible to me in the last three years, one that I haven't really done anything to seek after. I've been eating healthy for years, so it can't be that. I don't exercise, so it can't be that either. I'm really doing nothing other than abstaining. But somehow my psychological health is radically improving, and my cognitive impairment is too.

A lot of these long term rebooters have problems that are not related to PMO, but they think it's the silver bullet, no doubt. But you look closer into their accounts and you find that they have been interacting with heavy drugs and alcohol, relapsing frequently while claiming 1-2 years of recovery, or otherwise living horrible lives. Some have had severe trauma and others pre-existing conditions, and I think for those people it's a longer road ahead, and I think that's generally why some recover super fast and some slower. The more baggage you have the more your brain has to sort out, and abstaining wont be enough to cover the bill, but abstaining is still the best thing in the world that you can do, I think. I'm becoming, very slowly, a testament to that fact. And 16 months is no joke. Not to toot my own horn, but it's been a long journey. The first year was scary. Lots of days where I thought I was done for, not knowing if I would ever be able to function like a normal human being. And here I am doing pretty ok. And I have zero doubt that the next couple of months will show more benefits from abstaining so long as I saddle up for the ride.

I don't know if this is what you were looking for in a response, but if you're feeling hopeless, you can get better. Don't give up, man. Your life is too valuable. Just be honest with your deepest self, as much as you can be, and do what you know you gotta do. Give yourself lots and lots of grace, forgiveness, but always strive to be heroic, too. Fight the beast, and win the prize!
Click to expand...

Wow. You have spoken my heart. Freedom and leading a normal life is possible.

Eaglevision_2019, Feb 1, 2020

Eaglevision_2019, Feb 1, 2020

#8

Espi1971, AspiringVitality and Don Quixote like this.
Feb 1, 2020 #9

AspiringVitality Fapstronaut

358

439

63

showmethepmofacts said: ↑

I believe you man. It just sucks accepting that it takes so long. I’ve seen all the studies that are relevant too.. takes 100 days for brain to recover from just one hit of cocaine, 14 months for dopamine transporters to recover to near normal levels in recovered alcoholics, and also 14 months for meth users to have near normal brain activity. I’m sure looking back it’ll all make sense in a few months. Thanks for the reply
Click to expand...

Could you show me sources? I'd very much like to read up on this stuff

AspiringVitality, Feb 1, 2020

AspiringVitality, Feb 1, 2020

#9
Feb 1, 2020 #10

winningover Fapstronaut

255

819

93

O yes, another thread for PAWS. I like it. I am in my tenth month, battling PAWS. Cured PIED after 8 months and to be honest, going through PIED is easier than PAWS. Just to be clear here, I am not on any drugs and never have been ever before in my life. I have not relapsed either yet. My journey is no porn, no masturbation. Having orgasm with natural normal sex with my wife. Thinking of going hard mode if it can help in faster recovery. But I feel that real girl connection has helped me in rewiring regarding PIED but not sure about PAWS.

Another important thing I can tell you is that long term rebooters have had success with PAWS through fasting. I did my first fast today. Shall update you in 30-50 days if fasting helped me or not.

winningover, Feb 1, 2020

winningover, Feb 1, 2020

#10

clapas, Espi1971 and Jerseyguy1963 like this.
Feb 1, 2020 #11

Jerseyguy1963 Fapstronaut

133

130

43

A dopamine fast?

Or intermittent fasting from food?

Jerseyguy1963, Feb 1, 2020

Jerseyguy1963, Feb 1, 2020

#11
Feb 1, 2020 #12

winningover Fapstronaut

255

819

93

Jerseyguy1963 said: ↑

A dopamine fast?

Or intermittent fasting from food?
Click to expand...

fasting from food. Approx 12 hours every day. Not night.

winningover, Feb 1, 2020

winningover, Feb 1, 2020

#12

clapas likes this.
Feb 1, 2020 #13

Jerseyguy1963 Fapstronaut

133

130

43

How is the victory over PiED coming? Are you erections reliable? Can you have sex as often as you'd like?

Jerseyguy1963, Feb 1, 2020

Jerseyguy1963, Feb 1, 2020

#13
Feb 2, 2020 #14

Jerseyguy1963 Fapstronaut

133

130

43

I’ve been following all of that. I cut out porn, masturbation, caffeine, refined sugar, potatoes, rice and bread.

I’ve felt like crap.

Jerseyguy1963, Feb 2, 2020

Jerseyguy1963, Feb 2, 2020

#14

stegiss likes this.
Feb 2, 2020 #15

Indurian Fapstronaut

247

395

63

Don Quixote said: ↑

Yes, fasting from food helps, especially with brain fog and cognitive impairment. It's always important to do it in a safe medically sound way. Best to consult a doctor, if anyone wants to try it out. However, I can attest to the fact that my brain fog clears up like a blue sky when I fast from food. I also avoid carbohydrates. High fat/protein, low carb kitogenic diet works wonder for your recovery! There's some recent research on that for recovering addicts.
Click to expand...

I've noticed generally that fasting from what most would consider life's pleasures as having a positive impact on my mental health I. e. taking cold showers, not indulging in chocolate or cakes etc, intermittent fasting, no alcohol, no porn, no social media or news. The more I cut out the more calm my mind seems

Indurian, Feb 2, 2020

Indurian, Feb 2, 2020

#15

stegiss, clapas, Espi1971 and 2 others like this.
Feb 2, 2020 #16

winningover Fapstronaut

255

819

93

Jerseyguy1963 said: ↑

How is the victory over PiED coming? Are you erections reliable? Can you have sex as often as you'd like?
Click to expand...

You can read about my detailed recovery here. Yes, erections are reliable and I am only seeing more improvement with each passing week when I wrote this post. Although I am thinking to go hard mode now because of PAWS. But it would be difficult since I just started having normal sex with my wife after one long complete year. Fingers crossed!!

Jerseyguy1963 said: ↑

I’ve been following all of that. I cut out porn, masturbation, caffeine, refined sugar, potatoes, rice and bread.

I’ve felt like crap.
Click to expand...

Obviously, because you're going through withdrawals. And withdrawals only confirm that we were addicted in the first place. Also cutting out is sth else, fasting is sth else.

winningover, Feb 2, 2020

winningover, Feb 2, 2020

#16

Jerseyguy1963 likes this.
Feb 2, 2020 #17

winningover Fapstronaut

255

819

93

Don Quixote said: ↑

Yes, fasting from food helps, especially with brain fog and cognitive impairment. It's always important to do it in a safe medically sound way. Best to consult a doctor, if anyone wants to try it out. However, I can attest to the fact that my brain fog clears up like a blue sky when I fast from food. I also avoid carbohydrates. High fat/protein, low carb kitogenic diet works wonder for your recovery! There's some recent research on that for recovering addicts.
Click to expand...

I am a Muslim and it's compulsory for us to fast for one month in a year. Unfortunately, that month is still about 3-4 months away I think. So, I am doing the same fast because I have generally felt good after fasting for a whole month but never knew why. The fast starts from about one hour before sunrise and lasts till sunset. So where I am living now, my fasting is approx. 12 hours

winningover, Feb 2, 2020

winningover, Feb 2, 2020

#17

Don Quixote and Indurian like this.
Feb 2, 2020 #18

showmethepmofacts Fapstronaut

32

27

8

winningover said: ↑

O yes, another thread for PAWS. I like it. I am in my tenth month, battling PAWS. Cured PIED after 8 months and to be honest, going through PIED is easier than PAWS. Just to be clear here, I am not on any drugs and never have been ever before in my life. I have not relapsed either yet. My journey is no porn, no masturbation. Having orgasm with natural normal sex with my wife. Thinking of going hard mode if it can help in faster recovery. But I feel that real girl connection has helped me in rewiring regarding PIED but not sure about PAWS.

Another important thing I can tell you is that long term rebooters have had success with PAWS through fasting. I did my first fast today. Shall update you in 30-50 days if fasting helped me or not.
Click to expand...

What are your PAWS symptoms and what was your addiction like before you quit

showmethepmofacts, Feb 2, 2020

showmethepmofacts, Feb 2, 2020

#18
Feb 2, 2020 #19

humbleone Fapstronaut

350

559

93

I have done intermittent fasting for the past 6-7 years, I fast 20 hours a day (4 hour eating window)

I still have PAWS.

Maybe if you've never fasted before, you'll see the usual benefits that everyone sees, but unfortunately it isn't going to cure or help much with PAWS - at least in my experience.

We all have a debt to pay, and it has to be paid in full, there are no shortcuts.

humbleone, Feb 2, 2020

humbleone, Feb 2, 2020

#19

Espi1971 and showmethepmofacts like this.
Feb 2, 2020 #20

winningover Fapstronaut

255

819

93

showmethepmofacts said: ↑

What are your PAWS symptoms and what was your addiction like before you quit
Click to expand...

My PAWS are severe social anxiety, shortness of breath and panic like attacks for no reason. My addiction is 12 years long. Used to PMO 3-4 times in a week on average.

winningover, Feb 2, 2020

winningover, Feb 2, 2020

#20

(You must log in or sign up to reply here.)

Page 1 of 2

Share This Page