How to decode "FLATLINE" ?

This is very typical and to be expected at this stage of withdrawal. Likely you have been using PMO to cope with many things, which can include boredom, stress, nervousness, anger, fatigue, frustration, loneliness, and many other daily things as well as possible deeper underlying issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, fear, etc... When you use PMO to alleviate any of these things, over time your brain "learns" to no longer produce as much of the feel-good chemicals it makes to naturally handle and process these things. Instead, your brain "learns" to produce more and more chemicals that make you horny. This is so you can become horny at a moment's notice to cope with life's stress. When you begin to abstain from PMO after using for a long time, your brain needs time to re-learn what chemicals to produce and in what amounts. So you are going to have to live through periods of time without the dopamine bliss from PMO, and also without the endorphin bliss of a healthy, balanced brain. Your brain actually needs to experience that icky flatline to know that it's low on endorphins. What usually follows a flatline is a period of time in which you'll have too much endorphins - your brain will make too much and you'll be soaring with too much emotion. You'll cry with gratitude that the mailman brought your mail and you'll feel euphoria to take a short walk. It will feel very good but then you'll feel terrible anger, frustration, and irritability - the balance wasn't right so you're too emotional. Then your brain cranks down the endorphins again and it's back to flatline. And this cycle repeats over and over, lessening in intensity each time until the chemistry is balanced. This can take quite awhile so stick with reboot and don't give in when doubts creep in. Best of luck in continuing your success!

 

You're definitely not beyond repair, brother! You are not alone in having a terrible flatline like this. It does suck. Do everything you can to distract yourself in healthy ways. When I'm flatlining, few things work better than exercise. I know it's tough to work up the motivation when you're this low, but just start doing it. Once those endorphins kick in, you'll start feeling much better. It might sound stupid, but even watching something funny like a comedy you like can help. Just, anything to get yourself out of this head space. I'm a musician, so, playing music always helps clear my mind. If you have any hobby or passion like this; stop whatever you're doing and do it! Hell, if you're even slightly interested, pick up an instrument and distract yourself! Guitar is easy for anyone to pick up. I'd be more than happy to give you guidance on awesome youtube tutorials. I spend a lot of time on my computer for work, so any time I get tempted, I go to some great youtube channels I like and pick up some great ideas to try when I get home.

You are absolutely a man! The fact that you've made it 30 days proves this. Nothing makes you more of a man than taking control of your own mind, body and soul. Whether or not your dick gets hard has nothing to do with it. You're much more of a man than me. My longest stretch has been 24 days. I started flatlining and I let it beat me. Don't be as weak as me! You've already proven you are so strong. Don't feel guilty for a second. The fact that you are hear, asking for help and trying, should absolve any guilt. If there is any close friend that you can get in touch with that can understand at all what you're going through, reach out to them. Finding a friend I could be accountable to has been my biggest help so far. Either way, keep it up, don't stop and any way I can help, I will.

 

Everyone is different. I'm 41 so I was exposed to PMO for decades before I started reboot. My experience may be different than your age group. During my reboot I've had periods of flatline, periods of stable moods, periods of emotional intensity. Rinse, wash, repeat. It's now to the point where I can barely notice a difference between these "stages". In other words, my chemistry is pretty close to a good balance.
It's a good idea for you to prepare for any of these stages to reappear or disappear at any time for up to 2 years. This is where I think a lot of reboots fail and people relapse after an extended period of time. This article should give you some good insight into post-acute withdrawal. https://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/post-acute-withdrawal.htm

 

It absolutely will!

 

Happy to help!

I totally get it though and it sounds like, even though you're in a tough spot, you're still keeping a good mindset and doing the right thing by coming here and asking for some help. That right there is huge! From everything Strength And Light wrote and everything I've read, you're not out of the woods yet. But, just like you said, the fact that it's hitting you this hard means that you're body really needs to get clean. You've been strong enough to make it this far, you're sure as hell strong enough to make it through this phase too!

You're extremely motivating to me! Can't wait til I can reach 30 days like you have!

 

In short: keep plugging along. Taking cold showers help because it pushes you to do things you don't want to. Ie go for walks, be social, etc. I'm at Day 28, and I hear ya with the insomnia being god awful. Last night I woke up every hour. Keep a journal going. Write down positives. Be thankful for what you have. I'm thankful for the people of nofap for writing down their sucks and listening to mine. It sucks, but we can make it through this.

 

It's not a countdown. It's a way of life. After my progress, I don't plan on going back.

 

As much as your peiner can handle!

 

I hope that your real hope is to be completely cured, more than just for this to end quickly. I am with you, I would like to see it end quickly, but however long it takes, I hope that you will finish the course and enjoy a new life, completely cured.
Healing takes different times for different people. I know someone who took over a full year to heal a broken leg. It was badly broken and needed a steel rod, but it refused to heal quickly. Finally it healed completely, and he was back to walking without a knee cart, crutches or cane. If you would ask him now, it really didn't take all that long.
However long it may take, stay strong so that you can enjoy your new life fully. This time in your reboot will evaporate into your memories as you develop your healthy sexual identity and find someone to share it with.

 

Unless you are over 80, you should do great.
You may want to be careful of performance anxiety in the beginning. It really helps to really like/love your partner and communicate well with them. If you are nervous about talking with them, it is more difficult to relax and enjoy sex. That increases the possibility of performance/erection difficulties.
Physically you should be good to go. Don't rush it.

 

It is more like, "as much as she wants," or it won't last for long, or it could even result in hard time if she said, "No."
If you see her just an object to be used, keep rebooting hard-mode, you aren't healed from your fantasies.