15 months, flatline gradually going away

Been over 15 months of quitting porn, my life, my brain, and my health all improved so much. The flatline also lasted 15 months, but gradually fading away little by little

 

I'm 29.
My Libido has been steadily improving. The first year, improvements are slow, with ups and downs (few days of good libido + weeks of flatline). At around day 400, I noticed I'm getting easier and harder arousal on dates more consistently. Currently at day 470, for the past week, my Libido increased again. My attraction for women are stronger, my morning woods are harder and often.

 

Thank you, very relatable, I also talked to girls during the flatline period. As the anhedonia, depression, and anxiety fades away, my confidence and expressiveness comes back. Reactions from girls are completely different comparing the two.
I admire people who has the courage to talk to women during flatlines. It shows determination and fortitude. We don’t have the control over when the flatline ends, but we can choose to face it like a warrior

 

In the first year, I would masturbate every couple months to test my recovery. But I decided to not masturbate 4 months ago, and will continue for at least a year.
No porn sub, or any sexual content what-so-ever.

As for how many hours I watched before I gave up, I think you're trying to ask how severe was my case. Most damage was done during my teenage years, not right before this current streak, I have attempted to give up many times. During my worst, I would masturbate and watch porn many times a day, and was escalated to extreme genres, and at one point I no longer able to get hard to even porn. I was like a zombie, feeling no joy, no energy, severe brain fogs.

 

I found that blockers doesn’t really help very much for me. If my determination isn’t solid, I would find a way to watch it.

My findings:
1. The initial 2-3 months have the strongest urges. So, to get through this period, you need to take extreme measures. I have to take this as it is the last chance I have for quitting, I would announce the consequences I would have if I couldn't make it through the first 90 days. Because the consequences are so painful, I would stop any behavior that would lead me to the wrong path.
2. That leads me to the second point, eliminate all behavior that is chasing sexual stimulation, you want to catch yourself early so you can stop relatively easily. E.g. catch yourself wanting to search sexual videos on Youtube, urge to scrowl instagram for models, catch yourself touching down there. If it is not real girl, just say no. And whenever you having these thoughts, remind yourself this is your last chance, and the consequences.
3. Strengthen your mental resistent muscle. If you sit in front of the screen all day, your willpower is likely weakened by dopamine addiction to the screen. Do digital detox, going outside more, fill in your life with activities that doesn't involves a screen, you will find your mental strength improves
4. After a long period of abstenance (> 90 days, usually urges lessened at this point), if you still relapsed, that means something in your life you desired is not being fulfilled. And you're using porn as a way to replace or escape that thing in your life. This you have to do a deep dive on yourself, what is disatisfying in your life that you retreated back to porn. Also, realize porn is not helping you solve the problem, nor does it give you pleasure. Porn gives you craving, not pleasure. And it likely is one of the causes that you're disatisfied with life. So, don't have any brain washing idea that "porn is giving you pleasure, porn is an escape" -> change it "porn is worsen my problems, and it gives me craving rather than pleasure"

 

Long flatline can be frustrating. I dealt with it myself. But it only makes you frustrated to worry about when it will recover. The fact is when it will recover is up to god, not in your control. Focus everything on what’s in your control, what can you do to improve your relationship and health

 

Read yourbrainonporn.com blog posts on testosterone. It mentions, if not to an extreme level, it’s not caused by low T. It’s your brain desensitization