In an interview with Vice , Patrick said he decided to take on the abstinence challenge after noticing how "jerking off had altered the trajectory of my day-to-day life".

"Coming was also my primary coping strategy for stress or pain, and that just didn't seem healthy at all," he said.

He said the first four days had been "hell", but after that he began to feel healthier and more eloquent and the support he received online helped him through.