When I ask myself will the urge ever go away I like to think of it like alcoholism. When someone quits drinking, the urge to drink remains strong for quite awhile. That is why in the first year they give "birthday chips" out every single month. These little coins remind them that yes they made it through one more month. Once they reach a year, the next chip is in 18 months then 2 years then are given out yearly after that. I believe that self injury is an addiction and probably the urge dissapates over time but is still present in times of high stress. I found the first 2 months intollerable, the third month ok, the fourthe month great and then WAM! I got hit by a big stressor and fell off the wagon. But that is ok because stopping this time hasn't been nearly as difficult. It has been a week and there is no craving. I continue to work on my inner demons in therapy so hopefully the stressors will not catch me so off guard next time.
Carrie

<font color=blue>If you have two dollars, spend one on bread and the other on flowers. The bread will feed your body and the flowers will feed your soul."--Arabic Saying