How do i stop suffering from anxiety and paranoia from smoking drugs years ago?

Question

im 20 years old andI suffer from bad panic attacks and anxiety now. I used to smoke cannabis every day a few years ago and occasionally did other drugs as a teenager. i stopped a couple years back and i dont take any drugs and im only a light drinker. so i think my past of taking drugs is to blame. Can anyone give me any advice about getting over anxiety as im suffering from depression too.... Please help me

Answer 1

My son is going through the exact same thing. He if getting on much better now since getting help.. You need to see your G.P. You need counselling and maybe medication.You can't do it on your own please get help. Well done for coming off the drugs.

Answer 2

your past drug use can cause long term affects if not treated properly. While you were engaged in drug use it stopped the natural flow of endorphins and serotonin your body produces. Now that you have stopped, your body has lost the ability to produce these chemicals itself. You may want to look into speaking with a professional who can prescribe medications to control your anxiety and control panic attacks, anxiety, and depression. With proper therapy over time you may be able to control these symptoms naturally. What you need to do is reintroduce the natural flow of your pleasure centres. Your brain will adapt over time as you put more distance between your drug use and your "clean time" Remember that alcohol will prolong the ability for your brain to produce these chemicals. Another suggestion would be to speak with a therapist to try and understand why you "self medicated" and the issues you were trying to cover up or avoid as you were getting high. Though it is a process, this is not something you need to be afflicted with your whole life. Remember that your experience will differ from others. Therefore it is encouraged you come up with an individual course of therapy. The medications that work for others may not be the proper method for you. Each person's chemical make-up and structure is different. Find a professional you feel comfortable talking with because it is just as important to find out why you used as much as it is to have proper medications tailored to your personal brain activity. Do not be alarmed. Fortunately, you are young and have a great chance of recovery. I deal with addicts and part time users on a daily basis and each story is different as well as the symptoms.
Remember to be honest with your therapist and in time you will begin to feel like yourself again. Good Luck to you!

Answer 3

I agree with the counseling and seeing a doctor: You may have some lingering side effects.

Work on eating a good healthy diet, and on making yourself strong. Work on learning to do things that you actually like. Yes, you made a mistake, but now it's time for you to recover.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life

Answer 5

Cannabis and other drugs increase the anxiety and panic attack frequency in those already predisposed to such things. That's why people who do drugs are setting themselves up for a life of hell, but then I hate drugs.
You need to go to your primary care physician and get a referral to a psychiatrist. Yes, the drugs are partly to blame, but the condition existed long before the pot. The pot just brought it to light sooner. Get help.

Answer 6

i took drugs then stopped then my illness started i was 20 when i had my first panic attack, i have tried many things but the one thing i found which made me better was to allow yourself to be ill if i except my panic when it starts coming on it goes, i try to bring it on just as it starts then it goes quickly i take time to learn to do this, it will all stop but i took quite a while i read alot to keep my mind busy and active, i have been taking lustral from the doctors which has helped me a lot things will get better just allow time to get better

Answer 7

Your reasoning is not true. Your past drug use has nothing to do with your current panic attacks. I had panic attacks one summer many years ago. They were due to me not being happy with my life, its all mental. It could also be a guilt thing, many people who suffer from attacks have hidden guilt due to something they did in the past, your past drug use should not make you feel guilty enough to start having panic attacks. Being that you quit using maybe you have lost alot of friends, or so called friends and this is the root cause. Ive done more drugs than most, not proud of this, and this was not the cause of my panic attacks. Try being totaly baked and getting one, its fricking scary, but its not going to kill you. Control over your conscious is your best tool, start working out and eating right, maybe a stomach relief drug may help as many people with panic attacks tend to have problems in that area. Peace of mind is peaceful living.

Answer 8

Get councelling and c your doc failing that go to rehab .
U must have took class a drugs or something.
And im guessing alot.

Answer 9

understand that drugs make you more paranoid, so now you have stopped this feeling will ease off.
just understand that you can get by in life without them, and have so for two years now,
So really what is there to be paranoid about?
nothing..see you already know that..so you will be fine :)

Answer 10

See your doctor. Have some counselling. It helped me. If you wanna email me feel free.