After a period of long term drug use/depression is it possible for one to ever return back to a normal life?

Question

Its been 4 years since ive used ecstasy, methamphetamines, and Lsd i used to do all three heavily and sometimes two or more of them at once add chronic alcohol and marijuana use. I did this all throughout highschool until i was 21. im 24 now and i quit ALL drugs and am somehow trying to slip back into normal life as if nothing ever happend as you would expect its been about 4 years and im not progressing im majorly depressed, and close to delusional and in heavy denial. Ive been living my life as if everything is ok and i fear that the truth is the only thing that may be left. it is possible that i may be close to braindead. Is this true? how would i know.. its been 4 years since i quit and i dont see any positive results...I dont think my Doctors understand. Does this type of thing happen to heavy drug users? can anyone relate.

-Permahigh :(

Answer 1

Of course you can return to normal, better than normal. Your past experience is what makes you unique. Now, I wouldn't recommend anyone to take your route, but those that have, and returned, have come back in a BIG way. You are destined to be great. If you were not coming back, you would not be here now.
It' actually easier to return to normal after mind altering drugs than it is after suffering from malnutrition. Which is what I'm betting your problem is.
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Your mind is the first part of your body to show signs of a nutritional deficiency.
A 'Chemical Imbalance' is a mineral imbalance, which is a 'Mineral Deficiency'. (Potasium is an excellent anti-depressent)
Take a good Multi-Vitamin and Mineral supplement, plus Omega 3 oils. All proven to enhance mental acuity and will put you on an even keel (improve your feeling of well being).
Pyroglutamic acid improves memory & learning, can readily pass the blood brain barrier to stimulate cognitive function and possesses *anti-anxiety effects.
PS (Phosphatidylserine) supports the brain’s physiological processing of *stress and promotes neuronal communication by its effect on cell membrane fluidity.
Huperzine A is an excellent nutrient for those ex-pot smokers with short-term memory loss.
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Mind enhancing nutrients: Huperzine A, NADH, Vinpocetine, phosphatidylserine, acetyl-l-carnitine, Ginkgo Biloba, DMAE, Choline, Pyroglutamic acid, Ribonucleic acid

Imagine this you have a machine with:

Over a billion parts featuring advanced nano-technology.

A machine capable of self repair.

One so advanced that a million of its hydraulic pumps can fit on a pin.

An advanced central processing unit that dwarfs anything made of silicon. This CPU is so advanced that it requires no physical interface. You control it with your thoughts.

This biological machine needs a constant supply of raw chemicals to support chemical (molecular processes) reactions occurring at a micro level. If it is lacking any of the chemicals it requires it will malfunction. Some of the nano devices it builds will be defective, some nerve impulses may not jump the gap, new neural pathways may not get laid very fast.

Stop imagining, get the reality?.

This machine can be tweaked just like a cars carburetor. That machine is what you call your body.

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Huperzine A is a powerful new all-natural herbal supplement that enhances memory, focus and concentration. Derived from Chinese club moss, clinical studies have shown that alkaloids in this extract help prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a primary neurotransmitter for memory and concentration. Studies have been conducted on patients with Alzheimer's disease, showing Huperzine to be safe and effective for long-term use. It also is powerful nutrient for the eyes and ears as it protects delicate nerve cells.
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Phosphatidylserine
The premier brain nutrient for lifelong cognitive enhancement

Clinical studies show that phosphatidylserine helps improve cognitive functions that decline with age, including memory, learning, concentration and vocabulary skills. Daily supplementation may also enhance mood, alertness, sociability and provide protection against stress. Phosphatidylserine 100 Plus is soy lecithin-based and contains PS (100 mg) plus three additional supporting phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine (45 mg), phosphatidylinositol and phophatidylethanolamine (10 mg). Recommended dosage: one to three capsules per day.
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MAcetyl-l-carnitine
May improve cerebral blood flow, alleviate depression and elevate mood--Used in Italy for Alzheimer's

Studies show acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC) improves memory and learning. In Italy, ALC has been used for years to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists prize this exciting nutrient for its tremendous anti-aging potential and its purported ability to improve cerebral blood flow, alleviate depression and elevate mood. At the cellular level, ALC restores mitochondrial membrane function and membrane fluidity to that of younger organisms. Recommended dosage: 250 mg to 2,000 mg per day.
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Ginkgo Biloba highly popular worldwide for its antioxidant, circulation-promoting, and memory-enhancing properties. Researchers are excited about the positive effects Ginkgo Biloba has shown in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, peripheral vascular insufficiency affecting vision, hypertension, angina, and impaired cerebral blood flow.
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DMAE
Increase mental performance in children and adults; beneficial for treating ADD; and elevates mood

MDs are dispensing dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) to treat America's silent epidemic: Attention Deficit Disorder. Studies show that DMAE can elevate mood and promote more restful sleep, as well as help increase mental focus, clarity of thought and muscle tone. DMAE occurs naturally in the body. It may be useful in slowing lipofuscion (aging spots) both on the skin and in the brain. In clinical studies, DMAE supplementation has shown great success in the treatment of learning disorders in children. It is also very effective in enhancing mental performance in adults. The secret is DMAE's ability to promote the formation of acetylcholine, an important brain neurotransmitter. DMAE and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) are the breakdown products of the Romanian youth drug, Gerovital.
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Choline
Memory Enhancer, needed for production of the neurotransmitter acetyl-choline

Choline is a vital for optimal functioning of the nervous system, the liver and the brain. Choline is important in the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine, a constituent of cell membranes.
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Pyroglutamic acid
Discover the nutritional equivalent of the most popular European smart drug

Pyroglutamic acid found naturally in food, this amino acid is similar in structure and activity to cognitive enhancing European pharmaceutical compounds like piracetam. Pyroglutamic acid improves memory & learning, can readily pass the blood brain barrier to stimulate cognitive function and possesses anti-anxiety effects. Pyroglutamic acid is synergistically more effective when teamed with choline.
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RNA
Has science discovered the secret of lasting memory?

Ribonucleic acid, RNA, synthesis is required for optimal memory, and for years, experts in brain nutrition have referred to RNA as the memory-storage molecule. Some experts think the brain may encode RNA molecules with memory & messages. Scientists have actually extended the maximum lifespan of experimental animals with RNA supplementation.

http://intelegen.com/nutrients/brainnutr...

http://www.vrp.com/articles/thearticles....
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Citicoline (CDP-Choline) is a naturally occurring, water-soluble biological compound that is an essential intermediate for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a major constituent of the gray matter of brain tissue (30%). Citicoline promotes brain metabolism by enhancing the synthesis of acetylcholine and restoring phospholipid content in the brain.
PS (Phosphatidylserine) supports the brain’s physiological processing of stress and promotes neuronal communication by its effect on cell membrane fluidity.
The antioxidants Acetyl L-Carnitine, Alpha Lipoic Acid and Taurine provide protection for the neurons from damage caused by certain free radicals. Acetyl L-Carnitine, Alpha Lipoic Acid and L-Glutamine also support energy utilization by their effects on fatty acid metabolism, oxidative decarboxylation and gluconeogenesis. Taurine also aids in osmoregulation (maintenance of proper concentrations of ions) inside the cell.

Answer 2

You've done things to your poor old bod' for some time and it's fighting to get back to where life's good again, your mind on the other hand is continually fighting the transformation in you simply because it believes it has control, after all the brain is the biggest organ in our bodies and it tends to bully all other part when it thinks it has the right. It also remembers very well and years of same-o same-o habits have been entrenched in it so it thinks it should help you get back to that era of your life even if it knows you are fighting not to.

You stopped doing drugs and alcohol and that right there is one incredible reason to feel pretty darned terrific about who you are and what you've accomplished thus far. Don't let your head dictate how this continues...it sounds like you know where you want to be, so hang tight and know that soon you'll be through this period and on to some pretty terrific times.

You've been fighting for your life literally and after 4 years not to have slipped back to any of the old habits is something to keep in mind...you sound like you are a pretty strong willed person. That means you can and will get to where you want to be. It took you a long time of using drugs and booze to get you to the point where you realized it was quit or rot...now the reversal can't be any quicker than the years were that you weren't altogether.

Give yourself another several months and if the doctors you are currently going to aren't getting it and aren't doing something for you whether in a psychological, moral or physical aspect...then find someone who will support you the way in which it is necessary.

You CAN do this...you've made it this far and you've done a terrific job...you can finish what you started and that doesn't mean going backwards. Keep it up...come back a few months from now with another question on this topic and most likely you'll have something pretty positive to say.

Take care!

Answer 3

Maybe you have unrealistic expectations of what life should be. A lot of people with drug problems, and people around them, think that the problem is the drugs. Drugs are a problem, but most people have more than one type of problem and addicts often recover to discover these problems waiting for them and because they were often oblivious to them in the past, they have no idea how to deal with them without drugs.

Remember this
Life is not perfect. People have money problems, relationship problems and inner problems that only they can understand. Maybe your life hasn't improved because once you got rid of the drugs and into the driver's seat, you didn't know where you wanted to go. You just knew you wanted to be some place better. Make a goal for yourself and investigate the steps you need to take to get there. Then take them. Don't worry if you don't fit the mold of the average person.

Congradulations on being clean by the way. Things only get worse for you when you're on drugs. When you're clean things may get worse or they can get better. It's up to you.

Answer 4

I have a question for you. Did you quite on you own of did you get help with doing so? Having been drug free for 13 years i was able to not only return to my normal life I have graduated from three different schools and plan on return. You need a great sponsor. To help you deal with this. My thought is that the doctors can treat you but they don't know what you are going through unless they have experienced it themselves. Make sure you attend meetings and get a sponsor. They really help. If I didn't attend or have a sponsor I would have been a mess.

Answer 5

The important point is that she is now safe and well. I read recently that she is happy in foster care and a source who was privy to the first supervised access visit between Karen and Shannon heard her (Shannon) say she didn't want to return home. That pretty much says it all, regardless of her young age. It's important to remember why her image was used by the media to begin with. There was a strong suspicion that she had been abducted and any chance of her being found relied strongly upon her image being in the public consciousness and perhaps weighing on her abductors' conscience. In time her image will fade from the public conscious and she of course will still be growing up and subject to an organic change in appearance. My fear is for her psychological and emotional welfare in the coming months that will set the tone for the remainder of her childhood. Nurturing aside she will require professional guidance in reconciling these traumatic events that we know of. That said she will need an inordinate, unforeseeable amount of time and access to a responsible, state approved guardian every hour of the day. Sadly, the likelihood is that she will spend a significant amount of her childhood, for the next few years at any rate, in a residential school who specialize in educating young people who have been abused. There may be some respite in that she may spend holidays with experienced foster parents who know her. She is very much in my thoughts at the moment and I wish her only happiness in the future.

Answer 6

I recommend not paying attention to negativity at this point, it is useless to you. One of the most important things you need to understand is that life is what you make it, and you are in control of your own destiny. YOU CAN recover completely from your drug addiction, and you will, if you continue to persist. The trick is that there can be some PHYSIOLOGICAL components as far as drug addiction is concerned, and I highly recommend going to see an alternative health practitioner that does NOT PRACTICE DRUGS AND SURGERY. Stat away from homeopathy, it can be a hoax. Do you research and check into a naturopathic doctor, or a holistic doctor. Work with these professionals and ask them about some body cleansing techniques.
Take this for example. You can have a man that has been addicted to alcohol his entire life, has attended AA for years, and has been clean for 30 years. He could still has a physiological and mental disposition with alcohol, STILL making him wanting to drink like he did back in the day.
Your liver detoxifies the bloodstream and detoxifies polutants that you put into your body. There is a portion of your liver that detoxifies the kind of alcohol that you drink. If you abuse alcohol drinking up until a point where this portion of your liver becomes congested, your liver will no longer detoxify drinking alcohol as well. This makes your body prone to addiction.
My point is that these phsiological components of addiction can be treated, and eliminated, if you work with a good doctor. Ask a good doctor about a complete DETOX method, next comes eating healthy, and physical fitness. Join a yoga class. You couldnt understand the possible health benefits of yoga! Plus it will make your body thin, cut and sexy, provided that you eat correctly as well. Have fun at your new doctor!

Answer 7

It's possible, however, Richard Pryor was never the same after the years of drug usage. Plus, I would never do drugs because once you do them.. you're hooked. You'll have nasty symptoms too if you don't go for the drug a second time after trying it the first time. Leave Drugs alone!

Answer 8

Been there..it's been three years for me and I have ups and downs...I've been going through the motions...I have not dated at all in these three years.... I have no desire to and I am not sure why. I know it will get better and I know I have to heal in my own time. My drug of choice was cocaine and I never went through any formal rehab...I did it all myself...and I am 100% positive that I will (hopefully soon) return to a happy and "normal" life and you will too.

Answer 9

It will be hard for you or anyone. But you can get through it if you get . sometimes its best to talk to people who care but anything is possible. And if your feeling stressed run or do something to keep you ocupied. But I'm sur you can make if you try.

Answer 10

I can and you probally can. It depends on the level of depression also...check with your psychiatrist.