The invention relates to a damper (1) for fittings for furniture or household appliances, comprising a housing (2), in which a piston connected to a piston rod (3) is guided in a linearly displaceable manner, the piston dividing an interior (20) of the housing (2) into two chambers, wherein at least one flow channel (9) is formed on or in the piston, which flow channel connects the two chambers to each other, wherein a throttle element (6) is provided which, in a damping position, keeps the cross-section of the at least one flow channel (9) small when the piston moves in a first direction in order to generate high damping forces and, by means of a movement of the throttle element (6), enlarges the cross-section of the at least one flow channel (9) when the piston moves in the second direction, opposite the first direction, in order to reduce the damping forces, wherein the throttle element (6) is biased into the damping position by at least one spring element (72).