I decided to stop watching porn around 5 or so days ago. I have been watching it for like 10 or so years pretty much every day. I just wanted to know if it has withdrawal symptoms when you stop cold turkey. The reason for the question is 57 days ago I gave up drinking cold turkey and sometimes I feel bad like brain fog, fast heart rate, low in energy and no motivation what so ever. If you have experienced any symptoms what so ever can you please list them below. I don’t plan on going back to watching it, my sex life was bad always thinking about someone else instead of my gf. Not anymore that stopped 5 days ago.
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Hello friend. Good decision to attempt stop watching it.
I want to share with you some of my common withdrawals when I quit porn, pain in my chest, head or some other body parts, increased heart rate, anxiety, irritability… mostly anxiety comes along with increased heart rates and I call this craving for porn. I have never been able to pass through more than 18 days but the first week or days is/are the most difficult ones to go through for me.
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When I went through withdrawal I experienced tremors, anxiety, depression, unable to sleep, no energy, lack of mental focus and a few other symptoms. For me it lasted a good week to 10 days before I started getting better. That was nearly 5 years ago now and with the help of my groups, an unbelievably strong wife and a loving higher power I’m still sober after over 30 years of active addiction. It does get better!
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I love this forum I honestly get the right answers from people that have gone threw it thank you Cgty04 and Pirate, so do the symptoms usually last around 10 days or so?
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They did for me but that doesn’t mean it does for everyone. Just like other addictions there are many factors that go into withdrawal length and severity.
Yes it does. It varies from person to person (as with other addictions). But basic elements like restlessness, irritability are common. Search it in the magnifying glass at top right & you’ll find several people who’ve been through it & shared their stories - there are lots of good threads.
Yeah restlessness atleast. Circumvent the energy into something more positive. Do something noce for someone you care about without expecting something in return. Exersize. Things that have helped me. Day 106 no pmo.
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Congrats on day 106 I know it was struggle. Thank you Matt and DuncanNZ for sharing your experiences
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I’m 227 days sober from Pornography addition. I still have cravings, though much less frequent. I still have some of those withdrawal symptoms as well. Depression, irritability, lack of motivation, heaviness in the chest and stomach, etc.
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Congrats on 227 days man that is a long time. Thank you for your response
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Insomnoa, moodiness, increased appetite, and I still have cravings. I need help.
Day 125 for me.
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Like now? Do you need help currently, or are you referring to a global sense of constant help?
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No, As I read from others’ guys opinions, it will be there quite for a long time but probably with milder effects. By the way, I forgot to add, sleeping pattern is really important, because when you quit porn your need for porn increases in the night time.
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No need to worry. It’ll take a lot more than some passing cravinga and a global pandemic to take me down. Thanks.
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Withdrawal symptoms from sex addiction, listed in order according to how often they were mentioned by respondents (this photo is page 306 from “Facing the Shadow”, by Patrick Carnes):
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Great Matt I downloaded it to my computer thank you very much. Strange I never thought in my right mind that porn would be addicting or that it would have withdrawal symptoms. Learning alot here
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I kknow is hard RX24 but you got this, for me i am in it for the long run, the more days that go by more inspiration to keep going plus the sex life with my girlfriend has improved so thats a bounus, dont give in RX24 thats what the devil wants you to do give in to the temptation.
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I been jerking since my 17. Now Im turned to 30 I was porn addict I almost watching porn and jerking least 3-4 times a week. I spent least an hour before jerking. I been always told watching porn and jerking is normal and healthy no its not. It will destroy your life! I believe in One God who watching me. Every time after watched I felt emotionally embarrassed lost self respect and all shadow took over my thoughts. I sink into the darkness feeling hate myself. Nearly every day I had goals and self-promises such as this time I will stop watching and This time I’m quitting! No never happened. When I turned to 26 I started noticing I was isolating myself from social gatherings like events friends invitation etc. One night I woke up in fear and barely could not breathe I felt like someone is sitting on my chest and trying to choke me. I started developing negative thoughts feelings and fear took over my body and I was mentally disturbed. All my life I was laughing on people who rushed to hospital for lil issue. After that night I had panic attack and rushed to the hospital we did full body checkups and doctor said everything is good i just had panic attack. Doctor discharged that night and told me to see the therapist if this happening. I started follow up the therapist after first session I been told to take sertraline small doses so it can help my panic an anxiety. first I did not even know I have an anxiety and i was keep watching pron as used to be. However my anxiety was getting worse after watching and every time when I was watching i felt like guilt during and my eyes was watering like crying. I still did not figured it out why I feel horrible after porn. Btw I never disclosed my actual addiction with therapist thinking she might be laughing. Ik it sounds ridiculous but im type of guy been raised with this mentality and taught as never share your weakness with anyone in person ! So when I went to therapist I just told them i have an anxiety mood disorder getting anxious etc. So therapy is pretty much helped me i knew myself better than before btw I recommend everybody visit to therapist idk its really help to look at you from your side and learn about your habits and see you what kind of person you are! Long story short I still have not quitted watching pron until (feb 19,2024). First week I felt so bad mentally and emotionally and I have constantly chest pain like something squeezing my chest. This time I promised myself and put my trust in God asked him help and guide right path. I constantly having anger pain sleep disruption etc. And i have dark whispering saying watch porn and fears of health anxiety. But this time I feel a little different than other promises I feel so confident and put too much commitment to my promise! And Somehow God is also heard my prayers and thoughts thinking hes helping me. Because I always could not keep my promises more than 3 days! Its been almost 15 days now and Im sober. May almighty God help everyone and take us to the right path & keep us safe from whispers of evil. 
Finally, I would like to add more thing guys. The evil is real wether you accept it or not it is real and it’s energy hes with us always. Sometimes I watch my back think about my past all my desires easy rewards bad habits never made me feel happy for long period of time! It was just temporary bad thing is it made feel guilty and weak afterwards! I finally realized what kind of person im. I dont know how long I will live but I pray in God to make me strong self confident and successful man. If I cannot make it or die earlier at least I will able to say myself “I did not waste my time and i fought for my life and tried my best as I can be” I think it’s the purpose of life!
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