When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.
It is common knowledge that alcoholics and drug addicts, when they suddenly go ‘cold turkey,’ sometimes experience withdrawal – delirium tremens, chills, fevers, insomnia, night sweats, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, tachycardia (elevated heart rate), hypertension, depression, agitation, anxiety, hallucinations, irritability, and the like. But what about sex and porn addicts? Do we get the DTs and hallucinate the same as alcoholics and heroin addicts? Typically, we do not. This does not, however, mean that a sudden stoppage of addictive sexual fantasy and behavior does not produce withdrawal. For us, however, withdrawal tends to be more psychological than physical, resulting in anxiety, depression, irritability, and similar feelings.
Task for Today
Think about your emotional/psychological response to going cold turkey with your addiction. Share about this with your therapist, sponsor, or in a 12-Step recovery meeting.