After relapsing twice this weekend, i have been re-thinking my technique. Back when I was only quitting P, I began to gradually cut it down (I was watching it probably about once every two days at least). I started by going three days, then five days, then a week, then ten days, then two weeks and so on. I have to say this worked a treat, and I was ready to quit MO as well after lasting an amazing 6 weeks without P (that was a huge achievement for me and I still feel proud even now). Sadly, I relapsed heavily over Christmas and decided to go cold turkey (I was never good at cooking Xmas dinner ), and this really did not work. The most I lasted without PMO was around two weeks, and even then I probably watched what could be considered as P briefly. So, I'm wondering whether I should go back to the old ways. I'm thinking: -Gradually phase out P as before -Keep MO quite minimal but not quitting -Once I last 4-6 weeks without P, start quitting MO It really worked for me before, and I know it will take much longer this ways, but I feel that this is my only option. What are your opinions?
I tried gradually phasing porn out and I ended up stagnating, relapsing every 2-4 weeks, often with week-long binges. The only thing that worked for me so far was cold turkey.
Fair enough, maybe it doesn't work for everybody. The only thing that makes me want to try it again is that it has been the only successful method I have ever used, and for me it worked really effectively. Cold turkey has definitely not worked for me, and I'm sure different people have different needs when it comes to methods of quitting. I have heard other people say that going cold turkey has done them wonders.
I am not sure how this will work.Because lets say you abstain from P and you M as much as you want in that way you will fap even more than before.You cannot cut out P and reduce M because even if you do it one day it will get back on its feet and before you know it you will give in.I tried it myself and although it helped because i was not addicted to P i could not abstain from M for more than a week at the most. The best solution -according to me- is to quit it altogether.Just get it in your head and do what it takes to kick these habits out of you.It is all in your head.There is no need to fap or watch porn.It is just that idea that has rooted in your brain.Just be strong and you will succeed.Remember that you are in control of yourself and not this bad habit
I like your strategy very much, and i think about doing it too! Because When being addicted to PMO, just stopping from day to day seems so hard, because the addiction is very strong. I am with you on this one, trying to reduce MO so it gradually becomes less and less.
I see how you think this, but I wouldn't M as much as I want, because I would try and keep m to a minimal too (maybe once every 5 days), because this is still a huge improvement to how I am currently handling it all. Thanks for commenting
Exactly. I can't promise that it works for everyone, but it worked for me for a while. If you get a relapse, just hold tight and carry on to your next goal (unlike going cold turkey, where you have no real way point to get to). Of course, you will have to quit completely one day, because otherwise it would defeat the objective all together, but it makes it seem a bit more possible as you know you don't have to go the whole way blind. You have some staged way points to guide you. Like I say, there's no guarantee that it will work, but trying it won't hurt. Just make sure you recognize whether it is working within the first month or so just so that you don't waste your time and set yourself back. Thanks for replying!
Well the problem with going cold turkey, is your brain is so used to getting a fix every day. So when i dropped from 3 times a day to nothing my body reacted with extreme withdrawal symptoms. It's like a man that haven't exercised for 10 years, then suddenly decides to become a body builder. He certainly has to progress gradually. So my first goal will be to reduce my MO to once pr 2 days. Then over time hopefully it will get better and better