Addiction to porn (and even masturbation without porn)
I am currently masturbating around 1-3 times per day (usually with porn) and rarely take days off. I often feel as if the dopamine I'll receive from masturbation is the only thing that can make me feel something real. About 6 months ago I had stopped for about 15 days and I was feeling so proud of myself but then I relapsed, and I haven't been able to get any significant time off since. If anyone has any advice for me I'd really appreciate it.
What helps me to distract myself is staying physically active (e.g. going for a walk), going to sleep early, and interacting with people (for some it’s easier said than done). Being able to see your achievements is important, try using a calendar to report your progress, relapsing will happen occasionally, it’s part of recovery. Screen Time will block access to inappropriate sites, try enabling Screen Time on your phone in order to prevent the temptation of watching porn. Write down a random 4 digit code (try not to memorise it) and set it as your Screen Time passcode. Give the code to someone else for safekeeping or hide it somewhere inconvenient.
I just relapsed on my no fap journey. I feel horrible. Feel like dying!!!!!!!!!! Again I've to start
Don’t beat yourself up, no one quits cold turkey. It will get easier, you just have to gradually whittle down the number over time. You’ve already completed the first step which is acknowledging that a change needs to be made. You’re doing good.
Hey pepe, I did quit cold turkey about 10 years ago. Its come back and is a lot harder to quit with smartphones and the internet being everywhere more so than it used to be. I'll give you a few tips that helped me. 1.Keep track of the days and remind yourself. "This is day 1, this is day 2." Etc. This will help you stay feeling like you are making progress towards something. 2. Exercise. Every day as much as possible. Even better if you can play sports with friends. 3. Socialize as much as possible. Do new things. Let your brain focus on figuring out how to do new things and not how to forget old. Its easier that way 4.come up with something to do when you have urges. I would imagine a cancel noise and cross myself over and over. Not cause im religious, but because doing that with my hands made it easier to focus on something other than the urge. 5. Spend time with women if you can, not in a sexual way but just enjoying being around them. Dont worry about sex. The sexy thoughts will come naturally on their own and you will be more attractive if women feel like you are there with them, not in your head. 6. Tell yourself you are getting better every day. The dopamine makes you feel real, but its a lie. If you feel like you can't handle another day without it, remember, you are getting better every day you abstain. 7. Stay away from triggers (aka, your computer), as much as possible. The idea is to forget about your addiction, not to be thinking about not doing it all the time. If you're spending a lot of time on your computer, just get up and leave and go anywhere else. Hope this helps. You can do it!
Thanks for your advice. I am going to try this. Today is my day 1.
Hello 👋 I understand your going through this difficult time in your life hope I can help you. I believe dopamine is the main course of your addiction but the best thing to do is look up what porn does to the brain the neurological side of it but what you need to understand is that your brain don't know right or wrong that's how the reprogramming works so best thing is to try do more exercise don't stay in bed when you get urges also if you get urges just try leave your device where it is and go out of the room go for a walk or try meditation remember with meditation there ain't just good or bad thoughts they are just thoughts and with that way of thinking over time you will develop more self discipline good luck hope this helps.
