How do you know when you have finally healed?

Theres no sure answer as to when youll get over porn addiction, it really depends on your will power/desire to put it behind you. But to answer your question on when youll know when youre over yiur addiction:

"To not care about PMO is WINNING PMO"

-some random wise person on this site

 

Wounds leave scars! Scars don't go away but wounds heal. I've heard then called "stupid scars" there to remind us whatever we were doing when we got them was stupid. Remember just because the memory of the addiction remains doesn't mean you are still addicted.

 

If you look at porn some time in the future and feel disgusted, with no sexual arousal, you have healed to some extent. But, not engaging in PMO is only part of your path towards full recovery. I think this path towards recovery is a lifetime journey. It is true that you may be able to have a fulfilling relationship, feel loved, and give some human being the love that he/she desires. You will eventually overcome your PIED, if that is something you're dealing it.

But, once that is all said and done, are you truly healed? Maybe. Will you ever relapse 10, 20, or 30 years down the road? Maybe, but probably not. Only you can answer this question, but I personally don't look at it as a black or white situation. There are a lot of grey areas.

I'm a powerlifter, so when I lift weights and progress, I don't ask myself am I strong? Rather, I ask myself am I stronger this month than I was last month. If not, I change up my training regimen until I progress the way I expect to progress. Likewise, if you are not healing as effectively as you would like to, perhaps you need to change your healing regimen, or add more fulfilling pieces to your life. Don't stress about whether or not you're "fully healed," because once you're far along on that path, you will be on your way to becoming the strongest version of yourself.

 

Life is such a dynamic and complex thing! When do I know when I'm going to be really happy? Instead of asking ourselves that question, isn't it better to try to make our day the happiest possible?
"There is no path, you make the path as you go"