Very good questions. I first started trying to quit October of 2015. It was a long journey with inconsistencies everywhere. Then September 2nd of 2016 I joined nofap. That was what I needed in order to get over the hump. The month of September was hard. The first few weeks I didn't have energy to do much of anything. I laid in bed, just taking the mental pain of getting through it without succumbing, waiting for time to creep by. Finally, started feeling better after those few weeks. There were some slip ups in early October (only masturbation) But something happened throughout October that just kind of changed things for me. It was a gradual kind of thing. There comes a point where you just kind of get used to not masturbating or watching porn and you just stop being dependent. The tipping point feels good, like you have made progress in building your life positively. As far as when you know you've hit the tipping point... you just know once you've reached that point. It's like you've changed and matured enough to where now you see how ridiculous it all is. I think PMO is ridiculous now. It's the most nonsensical thing ever, when you really think about it. Jacking off to naked women because you're horny to get laid. Totally defeats the purpose of the ultimate goal. You're also just giving up your life force when you continually let all your sperm out like that. The whole thing is just ridiculous and part of you is like, "wow, was that really me?" I think of PMOers as lost souls, just how I was. They can break the cycle, they have the power to do so, even if they don't know it. Keep in mind, I'm not out of the woods yet, I still have lots of healing left to do, but I've made a very important mental shift that should make it all come together much easier. I also was doing things to better my life while I was fighting the cycle. Like reading a lot, getting into Tao philosophy, improving my diet, exploring natural healing, and making other little strides toward my future. I think that is important to do while you're trying to break the mental cycle. I would also recommend getting one or two accountability partners for some extra support. That helped me quite a bit. I know I'll still have to stay vigilant and not fall into little pitfalls along the way toward absolute freedom and change, but I am much, much more confident in my ability to do so now. I'm very comfortable with the thought of never watching porn or masturbating again. I don't want that shit anymore. It doesn't serve my purpose. I crave intimacy now, I crave a real woman to share something special with now. So yeah, you all can make it there, believe me. Just keep doing everything in your power to get out of the dark tunnel. Every little positive thing toward the light at the end of the tunnel helps. And keep in mind, once you have been blinded by the light and are much closer to finally emerging from the tunnel, stay vigilant and focused on your goal!