Drug Misuse/ Anxiety /Panic Attacks?

Question

I am 28 years old and have been suffering from panic attacks/anxiety for 8 years. I have never told my doctor but I think it was induced by taking illegal drugs. I was taking ecstasy, cocaine, cannabis, speed, diazepan, alchohol etc for about 4 years every weekend and one night i was smoking a joint and to put it mildly I freaked right out. I have never touched illegal drugs since then and have been taking Anti Depressants and Valium etc since. I have never told my doctor what I think brought all this on and now wonder if its worth going back to him and telling him? Presumably the medication that he has been giving me for all this time is the same stuff I would be getting regardless of the catylyst?

My panic attacks are less frequent now however I still suffer from bad anxiety and am the most stressed out person in the world (it feels like that anyway) I have spoke to a Psychiatrist, a Psycholgist and they have never helped one bit. Any other similar experiences out there?

I have not touched drugs other than the ones prescribed by my doctor for 8 years for the avoidance of doubt.

I currently take selective seratonin uptake inhibitors and have done for 8 year's

Answer 1

First I want to tell you that I understand where you are coming from - as I have 13 years of substance abuse history combined with mood disorders.

In regards to the treatment path, I would advise that you connect yourself with the right doctors. I certainly think that you have done the right thing by seeing a psychiatrist and therapist, however, if you don't feel as if you're making progress, it may be time to go Dr. shopping.

As per your medication; certain SSRI's can do wonders for people, however, habitual drug use is often co-morbid with certain types of mood disorders, where if you are living with a mood disorder, SSRI's become problematic, worsening your condition. Secondly, anyone with a history of substance abuse should stay away from benzodiazepines, which is the group Valium (diazepam) belongs to. Benzodiazepines are very addictive and come with very harsh side effects. Quitting benzodiazepines is extremely difficult and if done incorrectly, can be catestrophic, where in the worst case scenario, you can develop seizures.

I think it's important that you establish an honest and open relationship with your Dr's and they will be in a better position to help you.

Ultimately, as a more permanent solution, I would recommend straitening out your med management therapy first, once you find the right meds and stabilize a bit, move on to structure psychotherapy.

There are many options, but what I feel would suit you best (based on my experience and our similarities) is cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT.

Part of your anxiety is chemical, where your experiencing certain dysregulation with neurotransmitters in your central nervous system (the right meds will help manage that). This occurs as a learned response that has been programmed into your brain over a long period of time. The drugs would have certainly contributed to this.

Immediately following the feeling of panic/anxiety come thoughts (cognition) and actions (behaviors) that contribute to your level of stress/anxiety. CBT is designed to track what leads to these these thoughts and actions and make changes in your behavior to change the product, which is the stress you're experiencing.
Since these behaviors are learned over a long period of time, it takes a tremendous amount of strength to change them. Many different factors will contribute to your strength in getting over this. Your doctor is one, group therapy is another, discussion support groups, even anonymous online support groups (like this one here).

I know that this might seem pedestrian to you now, but if we are as similar as I think, you would catch on and understand in no time. The therapy is not a canned approach, it's designed to work at your pace with your goals and values. It's non-intrusive, where you'll gain a better sense of self through the stregth you develop within the structure of the program.

I've been in this program for 6 months and it took about 3 before I started to really get it.

I hope this helps give you some piece of mind and that you get better soon.

Answer 2

I had a bit of the same thing. When I quit raving, I had extreme issues with Anxiety and Panic Attacks, and they both suck. Believe it or not, I found the major catalyst for the whole thing was weed (which always seems to exacerbate anxiety and panic).

Stick with the meds that they put you on, and read about self "chill out" techniques to use when the anxiety and panic get worked up. It can spiral out of control very fast, but remember that you have the control, and that anything you are feeling is only temporary. Time will not stop, and you will come back down.

I wish I had a better answer for you, but this thing will just take time. For me, I would say it took 3-5 years + to really put the panic to rest. I only took anti-depressants for about 6 months though, since that was all I felt I needed. Don't be discouraged, by the length of time it took me. Everyone is different, and it will go away gradually. You will know how things are proceeding for you. Make sure you tell your doctor everything there is to know, so he/she can best address the problem. If he/she seems shocked, closed-minded, or preachy about drugs, then find another Psychiatrist. You need someone who is well informed, candid, and non-judgemental to get the best treatment. (Of course, they won't support drugs, but it shouldn't shock them.)

Answer 3

Time to go back to your Dr for a review of the meds you are taking. Did you know that some anti-depressants can actually cause some of the side effects you have mentioned?

The problem with taking illegal drugs is that quite often they have a damaging effect on your natural serotonin levels, you have to compensate for this by taking anti-depressants - but they need to be the right ones. (it is usual to prescribe SSRI's for this purpose - selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors - they increase your serotonin levels and stop your body reabsorbing it, thus keeping you on more of an even keel)

You might find that these symptoms disappear if you change meds, although I think that your previous history of substance abuse is preying on your mind and may be contributing to your condition. It's time to fess up to your Dr, you'll probably feel as though a big weight has been lifted from your shoulders and at least your Dr will be in a better position to prescribe you something based on your true medical history.

Here is a link which you might find useful:

http://www.angelfire.com/hi/TheSeer/seratonin.html

Answer 4

I have suffered severe anxiety and emotional problems from doing ecstacy and I feel that it is the the cause of alot of my problems. i have also done a lot of cocaine, and continue to smoke marijuana every day and I have had some panic attacks lately. I notice that usually these attacks do come on when I am high, but I don't feel that marijuana is the cause directly, I feel that it only heightens your response system. many drugs increase your blood pressure and heart rate while taking them.. this in itself can induce a 'panic attack' or racing heart, lightheadeness, hard to breath if you were to take too much or a combination. this may be perceived by the person as an anxiety attack when it was induced by too many drugs.. but just smoking weed by itself may only make you more suseptible to that bodily response.. like if you were thinking very negative panicy thoughts, than that with the weed would induce an attack because your body is almost at its threshold anyways.
it is worth telling your doctor but i warn you some will just shrug it off or not consider it much.. mine made me feel really bad about my experimenting with different things and I felt like an idiot after the appointment when i found out his opinion on it all.. i had stopped the drug use by then except for weed.. but his message had a lasting affect on me. anyways, sometimes after the first time you freak out, pass out, or have a seizure from something in your environment, your body is more prone and likely to have similar responses whenever something invasive or anxiety related happens

Answer 5

You only said how long you were ON drugs, not how long you've been OFF? Are you still drinking? You only said you having touched ILLEGAL drugs. Ecstasy takes away the serotonin in your brain and it NEVER comes back. Ever. You will need the antidepressants probably for the rest of your life.

Other than that, if you haven't been off the drugs too long, then that could really have something to do with your anxiety and panic. But if you've been off of them for a year or more----then it's a separate issue. You still need to see the therapist on a regular basis and go to NA or AA meetings.

Answer 6

Hi there, good idea to return to your gp, if you are having a panic attack a quick tip is to breath in and out into a paper bag, a paper bag (only) try to remember that stress can overload your mind only take on tasks that you know you can cope with, there is no shame in taking life at a bit more of a slower pace,
i used to think i was losing my mind when i suffered the same problems but then i got to realize that everyone in life has a fear or phobia of sorts.
All the best and i hope things work out for you.

Answer 7

It can be a bummer getting off drugs but i'm wondering if you have asked yourself why you felt the need to take them in the first place? This is not a judgemental question in any way, its just that taking drugs can be an escape from something not known or fully understood as yet and even prescribed drugs can block information surfacing into the conscious mind.

Answer 8

A Dr. will have you try different meds. to see which one your body "takes" to. The drugs that I have learned about can help certain disorders but might not benefit the actual condition which is why a Dr. will have you try 1 or 2 kinds. I might not be correct in this, but have had success with Prozac starting at the low dose, and I have a family member who takes Zoloft. These, are "tailored" to our needs. But, only your Dr. can monitor what you take and how long. Hope you get better and on the right medicine.

Answer 9

It's probably a good idea to tell your Dr., but like u said u will probably be on the same meds regardless. And from my experience, ecstacy will make you more emotional, even if u stopped using it. It took me a long time of being off of it for the side effects to subside.

Answer 10

i think any street drug ,like cocaine, can cause a panic attack or a heart attack. ive been there . im a stressed out person who is on meds for panic attacks. i get stressed out over small things .dont know why! stay away from street drugs they dont mix with some meds.im 39 and clean. olny take meds from my dr......