Sex / Pornography Addiction Support Group
Sexual addiction, also sometimes called sexual compulsion, is a form of psychological addiction to sexual intercourse and other sexual behavior.
Hello support group members I've been going cold turkey off porn for about a week and I'm having what I think may be withdrawal symptoms. I've had feelings of depression, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, nervousness, diminished focus and concentration, forgetfulness, headaches, indigestion, and lightheadedness, aside from a craving for porn stimulation. I've been doing some reading on the topic and it appears that these symptoms are most likely a reaction to the dopamine reduction occurring from porn withdrawal and abstinence. I'm wondering if any of you out there can confirm this in your own experiences and offer me some advice on how to deal with these physical issues. Thanks.
I had those symptoms for months during my recovery and this is how I dealt with them:
1) Anxiety: When I felt an attack, I simply reminded myself of exactly of what it was and let it go through me not judging it yet feeling the unpleasant feelings, after about 3 months, they ended up just disspating.
The other feelings, I did the same routine but every time I felt them, I kept affirming: Every day in every way I am getting better and better.
For the indigestion, I decided to change my diet to eating healthy stuff, that is not junk food, not that I ever did but I ate out a lot so I started to cook my own meals. I also read a lot, biked a lot, played video games, went to the library and kept a healthy habits regiment.
I read a lot of inspirational books to keep my mind positive and when I could not sleep, I read a chapter from one of those books and then another until I felt sleepy.
The other thing I did which was very helpful to me was to resume my spiritual life, I am not talking about going to church but meditation and being self aware, living in the now and being mindful by watching your thought and by doing so you can avoid relapses.
Yes, the body is no longer getting the high it used because of the visual deprivation, so start other visual pleasures such as a sunset, a great mountain view, bird watching. When I could not sleep and dawn found me awake, I would sit by my window and watch the sun rise while listening to the birds and the squirrels run around. Take pleasure in the simple things: A well cooked meal,for instance.
What I am saying here is that recovery required a complete and total overhaul of our lives and whatever we did in the addicted life no longer applies and we are encouraged to choose healthy habits in order to succeed.
Hope this helps,
Wolf (5 years and 9 months sober)
Porn releases doses of dopamine in the brain (same release for cocaine or gambling or lots of other things). So you were getting those highs from porn and your brain stopped doing it on its own (we can get spikes just from good food, a good show, etc) which explains your low mood. It takes time to rebuild new neuropathways.
Your options:
1. You could talk to your doctor about medication in the meantime
2. Counselling
3. Keep on trucking. It gets better with time. Stay away from the porn. Relapses can happen, dont beat yourself up just get back on track.
4. Start filling your day with other things that bring you pleasure... even in small does: hot bath, good song, time with your pet, fav food, etc.