Do we really have to be perfect and avoid other pleasures in life?

NoFap is a choice to save your sexual energy so you can spend it on activities that add value to your life. If you stay committed to doing that, you will benefit.

Those other things you've mentioned are separate from your core NoFap commitment. It's up to you to decide whether those things should be removed from your life or not.

 

I mean, consumption of goods like alcohol and coffee isn't inherently bad if it's moderated. The same goes for video games. The problem, I think, arises when it becomes a cycle or substituting it for some emotional comfort.

A rule for 1 person doesn't necessarily apply to all. Goals can be perceived differently for a variety of people. 1 Drink of alcohol a week for an alcoholic might be a huge risk of relapsing back to old habits, so not drinking at all might be the only way they can cut the habit. Some might be able to handle 1 drink and resist the urge to go further, it really depends on the person.

I think it also depends on what you're trying to get out of the consumable. If you drink coffee to wake up in the morning, I'd view that less harmful than someone who drinks coffee to feel the buzz of caffeine in their system. Or going out with friends for a pint vs going to the bar by yourself for a drink to absolve depression or negative thoughts.

You have to draw a line somewhere though. At what point does pleasure become a majority of your lifestyle? Whether its porn/drugs/alcohol/video games, do those activities control you, or do you control them? Sometimes, its not so obvious.

 

TV, Video games are big negatives to me in terms of dopamine levels. Sure I feel great and excited at first, but then get bored. I watched a lot of shows, animes, play MMO's/mobile games to pass hours... like 4+ hrs. very unproductive. Now if you're watching or playing with other people (having an actual person(s) next to you) then yeah go for it. That would be an great social setting. Now I limit how much time I spend on tv and games.

I don't know much about weed, never tried it, never will. I get drug tests at work from time to time. Alcohol you should limit to social settings, but still used in moderation. If you are using alcohol to drown out an problem, then you need to focus on that problem.

I don't know about the one coffee an week thing... I just know caffeine does increases dopamine levels. If NoFap is about rewiring the brain, to reset the dopamine levels. Then in an way caffeine would slow down progress, but I don't think it's that drastic. I say that because getting an feel good fix from coffee is a lot different from getting an feel good fix from PMO.

If you drink 1 or 2 cups of coffee, tea, or anything with caffeine then you should be fine. Just don't over consume it. Depending on how sensitive you are if you over consume it can lead to negative effects: harder withdrawals, anxiety/nervousness. ​

At the end of the day you'll have to experiment to see what works for you. Some people are fine with NoFap & coffee, and some people aren't.