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  • TDS Moderators: AlphaMethylPhenyl | paranoid android

LTC and holding a job

Y

Yatertron

Greenlighter
Joined
Jul 4, 2016
Messages
11
I would like to know how you all continued working or going to school when suffering through the symptoms of LTC?

I'm barely functioning at my full time job. I just started a new part time job with strong career potential. The struggle I'm having is the new job requires a lot of memorization, multitasking as well as quick thinking and decision making. My memory and cognitive thinking feel severely diminished and I'm constantly worried I don't have the brain power to continue doing my new job.

I haven't seen a neurologist yet, but I'm planning to make an appointment soon if only to get some peace of mind. One of my big concerns is the damage done from multiple concussions in my life on top of the ecstasy, alcohol and marijuana abuse.

I would love to hear some stories of how others got through it all.
 
Ah, alright!
I have experienced a long term comedown and it did indeed last a few months,
I learned that changing my diet and vitamins help brain activity.
Also, there are some medicines that I'm sure would help you too.

What kind of work do you do, if I may ask?
 
I work security which is a no brainier job. The other job is a bus driver and thank goodness I'm only driving three hours a day.
 
Seven years for ecstasy, which is the last time I used any illegal substance, and I stopped drinking heavily two years ago. My story may not fit a typical LTC but my symptoms are all similar to what others on the board have described. I'm seeing a psychiatrist and therapist. I've been going through these symptoms and fighting this, whatever it is, for three months.
 
I know it takes a while to health from some of those substances, and alcohol can be devestating. How much did you drink and for how long?

Since you've had concussions I definately think it would be in your best interests to see a neurologist. We can give you insight or share our experiences but it's quite possible that none of that information is relevant to you as its coming from a different issue all together. As useful and informative as this forum is, most of us are not medical doctors, and even if someone was, they can not accurately give you a diagnosis without seeing you.

In my opinion, I would be wary to pin this on substance abuse as the sole factor. It may very well be a piece of this but I don't think it is the complete cause. If you're under a great deal of stress, that can also be responsible for some of the issues. From experience, since I have gotten sober I have noticed my mental capacity is dramatically improving in areas such of memory, focus, and cognitive abilities but I am not 100% yet. However, I primarily abused benzos and booze...opiates over 17 years ago. I too have two years clean of alcohol. However, you did X which has different effects, which I do know take a long time to recover from, but I would think you should have had significant improvement in seven years.

Sorry I don't have anything definitive to tell you, and have no answers. I can empathize with your situation, I am a software developer now working in a print shop because I don't quite have the mental capacities to go back to writing code. It hurts, but it will get better. Good luck to you!
 
Thanks Moreaux. I'm not looking for medical advice but stories of how people coped with some of the long term affects of substance abuse. I hope you continue to improve and can get back to being a software developer.
 
I think that one of the best things that you can do for this situation specifically and for yourself and your life in general would be to engage in active brain training. Study mindfulness, learn to manipulate worry rather than having it manipulate you, take an online course or play brain games online for fun. Pay intense attention to your diet and sleep and exercise. Exercise is restorative and has so many benefits beyond, not the least of which is just feeling good.;)
 
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