Hi guys, i'm 27, addicted to porn since 11 years old, a bunch of porn induced fetishes. I wanted only ask to guys who had a long and hard reboot what do you think about the timing of my withdrawl syntoms, because i'm a little be concerned about it. In fact today i've done 8 weeks completely porn free. First 30 days i was also in NoFap. After these 30 days i took back masturbation using memories of old sex with my ex girlfriends. At this point my withdrawl syntoms situation is this: Porn Cravings peaked in my third week of reboot The hardest flatline is over, but i still don't have a lot of libido. So... after 8 weeks porn free, porn cravings peaked yet and the worst major flatline is over yet but... Insomnia still didn't peaked, 8th week i had the worst insomnia ever, Panic attack and anxiety is still high and frequent. So flatline and craving peaked in the first month and now are getting better and better. But i can't say the same about insomnia and stress episodes. Is this normal? Who had a similar timing process in withdrawal symptoms? what can i expect from now on?
It varies for everyone and recovery isn't a linear process, sometimes you will feel like you're getting better but then things will go bad again for seemingly no reason. Your withdrawal timeline seems normal. I don't want to say how long it's going to take but some good indicators of recovery are consistent morning wood, vivid dreams and libido returning. Why did you start masturbation again though when you've said you don't have much libido? If you could commit to hard mode then that will give you the quickest and most efficient reboot.
This is key to remember. You've been hooked on something for 16 years. That isn't something that's going to go away overnight for almost everyone who's gone through it. The habits we develop are complex things and a lot of the time, we don't even realize what we're using the habits to address. Focus on the next right step and take things one moment at a time. As far as symptoms, I've gone through a lot of the same though I haven't made it as far as you. I will note that mine were partially related to a different medical issue I didn't know about. If they get too severe, don't be afraid to get them checked out medically if you can just to be safe.
Withdrawl symptoms come and go but people who have been addicted longer will probably have more withdrawl symptoms, the good news however is that you will most likely experience the benefits a lot more and a life without porn will become more fulfilling. On this journey you will experience both the ups and downs, but it will be worth it when you are happy and porn free, remember man tough times never last.