DoneAtLast said:You can do this! 125 days is really good, and you can do it again. Relapses are awful, but you're fighting it. Even if your "streaks" don't hit 125 again for a while, just keep trying. Make sure each relapse is a learning experience about triggers, moods, conditions and everything else, and you'll make progress, little by little.
WoundedSparrow said:First of all, congrats on 125 days. I'd kill to have a streak like that. Second, your experience is a common one. When we relapse, we're giving the brain the dopamine it wants while also lowering our willpower to fight against the urges it brings. It's never easier to fall off the wagon than it is immediately after trying to get back on. But don't see this as a loss. Your brain rewired immensely during those 125 days. 90 days is the standard reboot time. You're healthier now than you were 125 days ago. But it's up to you and the choices you make that will determine whether or not you stay healthy. Getting through the first few weeks sober after a relapse or a binge of relapses is always the hardest. It's like a shark trying to resist a drop of blood when he hasn't eaten in weeks. You've given your brain what it wants and now it's going to want more. The more you feed it, the deeper you'll sink. Treat these next couple of weeks like your life depends on it, because your mental health is certainly going to. Practice what you already know how to do that's gotten you this far. Avoid triggers, exercise, spend time outside, or whatever else you do that kills the urge to PMO. After the first week or two, it should get easier.
Kenny77 said:Really sorry to hear of the relapse. What steps did you take to stop for the periods of time before relapsing? Stay strong brother.
Eswar said:3. Only listened and watched non-sexual songs n content. But now-a-days, it not easy. So, when I come across something I don't want accidentally, I drag myself out of there.
mookie6092 said:Eswar said:3. Only listened and watched non-sexual songs n content. But now-a-days, it not easy. So, when I come across something I don't want accidentally, I drag myself out of there.
It's really difficult avoiding things with sexual content though, right?
It was only when I was rebooting a few years back that I realised that sex is used to sell literally everything!
Remember the Diet Coke adverts in the 80s with the water running over the guy/girl...remember it vividly and at that age I had no idea why they were made in that way.
You never see ugly people plugging a product.
Well done on 125 days, like 4 months, that's awesome.
I think I went about 200 days, erections came back, though was never sure if it would be ok for real sex as I didn't have any.
I then relapsed once, and was really worried I was back to square one, so avoided anything for a couple of weeks, and erections came back stronger.
That was about 110 days ago.
I'd been using old sexual conversations I'd been having with past girlfriends as stimulation, because whilst erections were fine, I'd find it easier to O with help from them...then 18 days ago I stopped being able to get it up. Was weird, I had an erection no problem during the day, but could not O, then later that night tried again and nothing.
Same since. Worried but trying not to freak too much and just exercising and whatnot.
Guess there are a lot of us on this journey together ???
Eswar said:Relapsed after 125 days. Then After 10days. Then again 4days. Now just after 2days. I'm in the pit all over again.
mr.slurps said:Hey Pal, I saw you were on recently so I thought I'd reach out and see how you're doing.
I'm 60 years old, on day 50. You can imagine my situation is different than most members.
I related to you for a few reasons- you like to read/expand your mind; you are creative; you seem resilient/optomistic.
A friend sent me a link to chatterbt 3 days ago and that almost sunk me. There is still a strong pull back into the abyss.
So triggers are still a hard reality for me.
Your advice is appreciated and inspirational.
Be well
Eswar said:Relapsed after 125 days. Then After 10days. Then again 4days. Now just after 2days. I'm in the pit all over again.
Eswar said:Eswar said:Relapsed after 125 days. Then After 10days. Then again 4days. Now just after 2days. I'm in the pit all over again.
Hey! It's been 4 successful months. Just want to share a few things.
1. Negative emotions/ feelings prompting to look at porn again. Need to curb it.
2. For the kind of damage inflicted on my brain, probably need 4-6 months more.
3.Eat fruits. Lots of them. Milk too. (Don't mix these too).
Just because you stayed away from porn doesn't mean it stays away from you. Some of it stored in your brain itself. So give yourself plenty of time. Don't reinforce it.
Don't be hard on yourself if you fall. Get back up. Don't do analysis post pmo. That just makes situation worse. Get busy doing something. Try to get past your previous best record.
Take care, Brothers.