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Relapsed after 125 days free from PMO! I'm very anxious now

Discussion in 'Rebooting - Porn Addiction Recovery' started by chevalierdepas, Feb 14, 2022.

  1. chevalierdepas

    chevalierdepas Fapstronaut

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    Hey guys,
    I'm new here. I've been trying to quit for years without success. After a crisis in August, when I reached rock bottom, I developed reflux and my anxiety spiked (depersonalization, death anxiety, fight flight freeze mode all day, intrusive thoughts, etc.). In October, still recovering from my anxiety, after having edged for a whole day, I started to search again for the dangers of porn, to read the disgrace of porn users in forums, how it can destroy life in many ways; now even healthline and medical news today consider porn as an addiction. I already was aware of it's dangers, but I was partially willfully blinded. But now, having reached rock bottom, suffering with anxiety, going to the therapist (I was using that rock bottom as an opportunity to improve myself) I had an anxiety attack for a week, completely obsessed about porn, all day long, read the Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking Method to Quit Porn, and for the first time ever, at first attempt, I reached 125 days without PMOing nor MOing.
    Although I was following the rule of not peeking, sometimes I would peek for seconds, some rare times minutes, but I would control myself, and anxiety too would kick in, and the danger would pass. I tried to cultivate the mindset that I don't need this to be happy, that is an illusion, and let that and the anxiety help me, so I didn't rely only on willpower, especially at first, when willpower is clearly not enough.
    But now, after all this time, while still fixing my life in so many aspects, while so old (27) and ao behind on life, still a virgin, I have relapsed. I didn't binge, it was only once, but I edged for hours to many types of stuff, due to frustration and dopaminergic high. What do I do? Was my progress all down the toilet? I feel I will never fix my life, stop this hellish addiction, have an intimate relationship. I also had quit for months all the negative self talk; the pain due to being an involuntary virgin was very relative, and I was focusing on my PhD. But I feel discouraged now. I know I cannot binge now, that I must be careful and not get carried away by frustration.
    Do u have any suggestions? Thank u!
    João
     
  2. Of course not, that's foolish. All your progress worth nothing because of a slip? Calm down, my friend, get back up and keep going...relapses happen, no big deal.
    I stopped measuring my progress and just live one day at a time, and so far that has been working for me. It really takes the pressure off. You may try it if you like...one day at a time, that's all.
     
    chevalierdepas likes this.
  3. chevalierdepas

    chevalierdepas Fapstronaut

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    Thanks for the positive reply! I was very helpful. I know this relapse didn't jeopardize all my progress. Still, anxiety, the fear of binging soon and the fact that I edged for hours are still bothering me.
    Anxiety can actually have a positive effect though; it will make me alert, and turn porn into what a cat is to a rat, at least for a while.
    I thought I was free and I became careless. Lesson learned. Addiction is like a chronic disease: we can keep it controlled, but, as we start to indulge, it can lead to a flare up very quickly. I did peek yesterday but after some minutes edging without touching myself I could restrain myself. I thought it was enough as it had been until then, but it made me more horny and hence likely to relapse eventually. Instead of not opening the PC that evening, or taking a cold shower, I just open the computer at night feeling tired and unmotivated. Suddenly, a strong compulsion to just search on Youtube for something and boom, edging, dopamine surge and masturbation.
    I peeked on some rare occasions during the 125 day streak, but I could restrain myself, and anxiety forced me to improve my habits and reinforced my fear of porn. It didn't happen this time, and I relapsed. So now I will continue with the no peek rule; if I do peek non-deliberately, I have to act on that immediately: (1) next week no opening computer at home; (2) dopaminergic diet, even of Youtube; (3) re-read The SPAM REMOVED (spam code #001) - REPORT TO MODERATION Method, stuff about porn addiction and be more present at Porn addiction forums.
    It wasn't hard to quit except for those compulsive peek moments, so I have to learn how to deal with them. Otherwise, I'm free.
    I'll keep you all posted about my progress. Let's see if I can do another streak like this one.
     

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