Do i even have an addiction CONFUSED

It could be a "flatline" period but basically it comes down to whether you have been doing it long enough, and similarly if you're willing to read enough to learn about it. A lot of people are used to reading posts only a couple of sentences long, there are a lot of things that is just impossible to talk out if people can only focus for a short period of time like that. It is possible some people may not read enough, online posts or otherwise but they can have a voice conversation to literally talk about it, but that's assuming they take that time and the other person has that time.

 

Bodies are different, addictions are different. There's no way to tell exactly what is going on with you. All we really know is P messes you up physically, psychologically, and socially. It's also hard to stop, because it's a super stimulus and it gives you dopamine, which you do need.

As you get started, I strongly recommend planning on a way to replace that dopamine. Exercise (lifting, cardio) 15 minutes a day minimum is a great way, because it's good dopamine, and has a proven positive effect on mental health and can have good physical side benefits as well. Also, know that you can't just quit something. You have to replace it. You say you have no urges now and that's good, but if you stop PMO for a few days and don't get pronounced urges, I'll eat my proverbial hat. You'll need to replace thoughts as well, so have some goals to think about and plan out, or have a mantra or phrases or quotes to meditate on, or prayers or something preloaded in your mind to turn to when those urge hit.

You will feel physically uncomfortable, blue balls, all that stuff. It's normal. Hope you stick with it. It's a hard job and you don't see results quickly, which is why a lot of guys don't stick with it IMO. It is worth it in the long term though. Best of luck to you.

 

In that case keep doing what you're doing. Some guys don't see a difference until 40 or 50 days. The forum recommends 90 days, to be safe. It doesn't sound like quitting is having an adverse effect on you, so be thankful for that & enjoy the time you get back to yourself.

If you get to 50 or so days and see no change in your symptoms, I'd say go back to the doc and demand more advance tests, maybe see an endocrinologist instead of a generalist. Rule out P first though.

 

That is a really helpful and thoughtful post, thanks for sharing

 

There is only one relevant question: do you want to live your life without porn? If the answer is yes then everything else is details.

 

I really like what was shared before that this isn't the question, the question to focus on is am I doing things I don't want to do. That was true for me. Very much true: every other year is find another thing added to the list if things I had done or was doing that I didn't want to do.