Insomnia and withdrawal infos

What you are describing are post acute withdrawal symptoms(PAWS).

Insomnia and anxiety are common withdrawal symptoms so whilst it's not definitely related to you quitting porn, there's a fair chance that it is. There's no way around it, you just have to power through as best you can. Most will tell you to do x, y and z but in my experience, taking it easy is the best option when you're in this state, otherwise you potentially risk burning yourself out and making things worse. As for how long it will take, well that isn't something anyone will be able to answer. It takes as long as it takes but whatever you do, just don't relapse. Not only will you have to go through it all over again but it's more than likely that it'll take even longer the next time around.

 

They will do but it's difficult to say how long that's going to take.

People won't believe porn can do this but I think they are underestimating the effect that long-term use can have on the brain. We are essentially test subjects so not much is known about it at this point, all we have to go by are our own shared experiences.

 

The question, “How long does PAWS last?” rarely has a simple answer, even for doctors evaluating individual patients. Most cases resolve within a 6–24-month window, but some people continue to experience symptoms for much longer. (And in any case, even a short period of time feels endless to anyone who just wants a painful situation to pass.) Nor is PAWS typically a matter of “here one day and gone the next”: it’s likelier to come and go, becoming less frequent and intense over time.

It is based on your porn addiction period, age, overall physical and mental health, even body type. Your symptoms are very similar to the PAWS symptoms of opium addiction.

But they will pass. Just nobody knows how long it takes. That's why a lot of addicts don't return to their drug after the healing period is over, because it is never truly over. It is a journey, and the best you can do is to focus on being happy through it rather than reaching the finish line.

Wishing you all the strength to push through!

 

One important thing to remember is that there are no real scientific articles about porn addiction (you can find similar things, or "almost the same" things), not yet at least. So we kinda mix and match comparing it to other addictions and based on what other people dealing with this have reported.

So, to my understanding, the simple way to differentiate is as it follows:
Withdrawal symptoms, also called acute withdrawal: immediate symptoms that occur upon sudden cessation of the abused substance. Can start anytime between 2 days to 2 weeks, and for as much as it lasts it depends on a lot of factors. You will experience *mostly* physical reactions.
PAWS: the second stage of detoxing that implies the re-programing of the brain in the absence of the substance. This stage implies and focuses mostly on the "emotional and psychological symptoms".

Therefore it's a bit of misconception that PAWS appears after the healing, it's still part of the healing. My guess is that you are transitioning from stage one of detoxing to stage two, and in between it seems to be this flat-lining period, common for addictions in the 2 to 12 months of sobriety.

It's confusing and there's no real timeline of events, because everything is subjective. But there is at least one hope: you can recover, like any other addict that committed to recovery.

 

I am just 9 days in now and I am experienced the exact same thing for a couple days now. Anxiety I have never felt before, a challenge to fall asleep and waking up in the middle of the night and in the mornings with headaches. Yesterday night I woke up in the night and literally for some weird reason felt like crying. I do not know if nofap is to blame for it all but I do think it plays a part in it for sure.

This is when it becomes challenging to continue... because you make up excuses in your head why you should just quit and start watching porn and masturbate again in order to feel better. This addiction makes me so mad!

 

What you are going through is normal, nothing to worry about. If you are worried about the headaches at night then speak to a doctor. Otherwise, rest assured this phase will come. Sooner or later.

 

I meant to say this phase will "pass", not "come". My apologies

 

hi! You created an unhealthy habit that you have to unlearn, so it is normal to struggle falling asleep. You need to "program" your brain with a different routine so it knows whenever that routine happens, it is time to sleep.

You could read before bed, take a shower or do some self care, meditate, choose a specific position (ex. your right side) to fall sleep on, etc. I would advice against using your phone because that will make you even less prepared to sleep.

Hope this helps. Basically, you need to change the routine you had before, masturbating, to something healthier. It will take some time, but your brain will eventually adapt to the new habit.