Combining work/university with recovery and withdrawal?

Submitted by snapshot on Sun, 2010-03-28 05:38
Withdrawal symptoms

Hi, I'm still struggling to go for more than 4 days without masturbating (just had a relapse yesterday). It just seems to me that on that third or fourth day, I just can't think of anything else but 'not to masturbate'; so I'm thinking about it...
I know it's probably normal, because of how the brain works, but I'm in my last year university, and I really need to be able to focus on my thesis. However, after 4 days, I'm just not able to stay focused and not to think about porn, just 5 seconds away on the internet. So I 'fool' myself that I need to postpone my recovery until after my final exams and presentation. Because 'now' is not the time. And to me it makes sense, so I masturbate and it gives me 5 minutes of calm, 20 of anxiety and sorrow, and than I just start to study, with no major urges for that day and the next.
But, I'm a little afraid that it's just an excuse I (my brain) makes up, and that if I give in, it will always find excuses like that.
Have any of you been thought a same type of situation? What did you do to go through the withdrawal period when at the same time you had to keep going with your work or studies that requires a lot of alone time.
Thx

Submitted by Seeker on Sun, 2010-03-28 06:00.

Yes on certain days I find it the worst. My day 7 has usually always been the worst to deal with.
Yeah the brain does get in a loop sometimes of thinking about not doing it hard to get out of that loop.

Exercise has helped me a great deal with cravings and other withdrawal symptoms. Try to find some kind of distraction when those cravings strike. Pick an exercise and when the cravings and urges arise try to do that exercise.

I just did some exercise and then went straight in to tapping and my cravings and urges went way done. Almost gone.
here are some links on EFT/ tapping.
http://www.emofree.com/
this is a good starter video
http://www.tapping.com/videos/introduction-to-tapping.html

Diet has also helped me a great deal. Helps with the body keeping up with exercise. It also helps the mind balance itself.

did you see this article I posted earlier ? http://www.ehow.com/how_4890876_calm-down-certain-foods.html

those are just a few ideas to try.

Be Safe
James

Submitted by Rockhardington on Sun, 2010-03-28 09:28.

yes, I have had similar negotiations with my head. Ive found that Im a lot more productive in withdrawals than I am when I am acting out for some reason. But then again, my acting out is pretty intrusive and the after effects have really affected other areas of my life. Even though withdrawals are painful, there is no good time to go through them, its always going to seem inconvenient. When I am abstaining I feel much more in control of my life and this seems to seep into my other habits.

Marnia's picture

Submitted by Marnia on Sun, 2010-03-28 12:12.

you could tough it out for one more day, and see if the intense cravings then show up a day later. That way you'd know if you can make any (gradual) progress before the end of school.

Good luck!