Does anyone else share my experience- advice needed!

[The_Return10]

Hi everyone,
So I’m coming up a month without PMO.
I’m doing ok, but one huge withdrawal symptom I have experienced is flashbacks. These flashbacks can range from vivid to dull, intense on one day to less common on another and on some days they are just lurking, constantly, ready to spring into my mind at every opportunity where my full focus isn’t on something. I haven’t been close to relapsing but these flashbacks can be distressing. It’s like my brain is just fighting back every day, reminding me of the old ways and is refusing to accept this new life.
My question to this community is this- Has anyone else experienced this? For those who have, did they improve over time and at what point did things get easier.
appreciate anyone who responds. Thanks!

 

[Inevitable_Disintegrating_Wind]

Oh yeah! This is very important question for crowd of males! I experienced that before, I remembered was tempted to google on the non-sub-porn picture of a nasty woman while I refusing to do and was very bothering to have desire to look at it. Self-control is the essential to extend your days streak, don’t even google the name of an influencer woman, obviously if you accidentally see a neutral, NEUTRAL! photography picture of them smile with their friends then it is fine. Do Not Twist This Reason To Look At non-sub-porn Pornstars. Pornstars is compared as chewed foods in a vomit, surely I am afraid to see vomit as it is disgusting but would you say ”Oh! There is chewed carrot in center pile of thick vomit, I can pick it up and clean it up then eat it.” Same thing to non-sub-porn picture of pornstars or influencer women, as they been doing nasty thing so themselves are worthless as if equivalent to the vomit. So I continue my streak by refusing to look at them the whole person ever again, desire will be gone, BE STRONG!

 

[cleaningupmyact]

In SPAA they define this as "euphoric recall." It is part of the "drying out" phase of addiction, part of the withdrawals. And boy is it sh*t. I hated it so much. But yes, it gets way better. Hardly ever happens now (I can't remember the last time).

my brain is just fighting back every day

I think of it as killing off a monster in my head. Addiction has felt like a demon clawing its way out. I'm taking a 2x4 to that bastard and kicking his ass right now. He puts up a fight, be he aint winnin anymore. Recovery got me in the driver seat now. For me, sobriety has to be a lifestyle, not something I do once in a while when I relapse or don't get what I want. I go to 12-step meetings online every singe day.

 

[Serendipity2]

What you experience is the same as after a break up. You do not suddenly forget your ex and live on happily just because you decided that they cannot be part of your life anymore. There will be memories coming up, good and bad, emotions connected with that. Sometimes you wish back the good times, sometimes you hate yourself for acting a certain way, sometimes you are happy it is over. All of these come and go and it seems like the mind, which consists mainly of memories and tries to project the future from the memories, has to go through that.

My advice to you would be: do not actively engage in these flashback, nor try to stop them. Let them be. Even if it feels bad in the moment and you feel like wanting to run away from them. Let them be. This way they can pass through you without resistance and then vanish.