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Meth damage

shards_of_ice

Bluelighter
Joined
Apr 14, 2003
Messages
5
Hi I am a bit concerned about what drugs have done to me! I used meth, ice, mdma, mda, 2cb, weed, and a bit of coke and whatever other substances were also in what I was having for about 4 years. Ice was the drug I used most I would say and it was on a weekly (or more) basis, smoking between .1 and 1.0 gram a session. I now have problems finishing meals or eating at all some days. Its been about three months since I had some powder meth. My weight is about 10 kg under what it should be, and I am near anorexic. And this is very uncomfortable for me because it effects my confidence and self-esteem as well. I'm male, 22 years of age, 6"3', and only about 70kgs. I also smoke about 15 cigarettes per day. I've also had some major stress issues involving nearly going bankrupt and I would say some depression. I have a pretty intense job, because I'm trying to pay back all the things I owe... So maybe that has something to do with it to, but I don't know anyone who can relate/understand.

Has anybody else here had the same sort of problems, and have found ways to get their wellbeing (and weight back)? Or have I permanently damaged some things?
 
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I don't know about the weight thing, i think most people gain there appeite and weight back fast once they quit.

But, with your depression and all those other problems....thats like an appetite supressent by itself. It might be contributing to your difficulty in gaining weight.


As for permanent damage - of course. At least to dopamine and serotonin i think?

Basically, less ability to feel pleasure without your drug. Things don't seem as intresting, fun, etc. etc. But that may not be the case for you.


You could go on SSRIs - the anti-depressents. I bet over a course of a month or two they would help you out alot after seing a doctor.

I would use that as a last result though, tons of people turn to anti-Ds for a solution.....then stop taking it when they feel better. Which may make problems come back worse
 
Im not a doctor..but all those drugs for so long is enough to fuck someone up mentally and physically for awhile...I suggest going to see a doctor to get some medication to help you get back on the right track.
Its gonna be a long haul and you aint gonna get better straight away... cigarettes alone are enough to depress your appetite...you have to quit, live a healthy lifestyle and let yourself recover. get rest and gradually eat healthy foods 3 times a day and a bit of excercise gradually building this up and heaps of water
 
I am in the EXACT same boat as you considering the depression due to financial issues + owing money. It seems like after work I am so stressed out because I just know that im working for basically nothing and I hardly have any money no matter how hard I work. Until I pay off a huge debt to my car which has fucked me up, I sometimes havent eaten all day and just dont feel hungry... I dont really want to do nething but get my mind off of money.... damn money sucks when u don't have it
 
The main one I can relate to is the use of methamphetamine. I used others in between, but that was the main focus for roundabout 2 years ( I think). The initial first pd is pretty shitty. I felt totally run down and still pretty depressed.

I'd wager to say you'll start gaining your weight back soon, take multivitamins and eat healthy. I gave myself a month after quitting to let my body kind of regain some health and then started exercising. It really helped me get back into the swing of things, got my system back to normal, helped with the depression. I'd definitely suggest that.

As far as permanent damage, yeah I'm sure's there's some. You'd do best to not try and assess that now since you haven't been clean for that long just yet. I've only been clean for little under a year, but already I can reflect and see that I've incurred some permanent damage. I odn't notice increased depression, but I am more paranoid, more prone to quasi panic/anxiety attacks. If it becomes a problem, you really could see a counselor...I'd suggest that before getting put on meds.

We live, we learn, right?
 
I've been clean off meth for two years now. All I can tell you is, hang in there. Your body's gonna do some crazy shit before it regains normalcy. I personally found wellbutrin very helpful during the first three months of sobriety (supposedly it affects roughly the same parts of the brain as meth does). Not gonna lie to you though, the getting-sober process SUCKS for at least the first couple of months. You might feel like you may never be able to be happy ever again. The good news is, recent scientific research indicates that some brain cells can regenerate over time. Sure, we've done some brain damage. But that's not to say that our brains can't adapt/grow new pathways to make up the difference. Don't get discouraged! When I was recovering I never imagined I could ever have a life as full of joy and serenity as I do now. It's possible!
 
I have a terrible case of paranoia, people say its due to ice. I don't know if I'm in denial, but now when I think about it, I never used to freak out as much. I'm done with ice, for good, this time. The damage is irreplaceable, and it's WAY more hardcore than most drugs. I guess I actually regret having ever done that.
 
HypnotiQ said:
I am in the EXACT same boat as you considering the depression due to financial issues + owing money. It seems like after work I am so stressed out because I just know that im working for basically nothing and I hardly have any money no matter how hard I work. Until I pay off a huge debt to my car which has fucked me up, I sometimes havent eaten all day and just dont feel hungry... I dont really want to do nething but get my mind off of money.... damn money sucks when u don't have it

OMG I know EXACTLY how that is, too. I can't have a decent social life because going out normally requires money. I don't want to see some people, because I owe them money, or I don't want to have my friends pity me and let me bum. It's a lot harder now, to get a job, than I ever thought it would be for me.
 
Drinking water often is the key to getting your appetite back.
Slam a 32oz cup of water a half hour before you plan on eating, it'll re-hydrate your spit-glands and food will be good again. Honest.
 
I think about the damage I've done sometimes. I've used meth 15-17, and now I do it a bit. Teeth? Heart? Lungs? Skin? Is it all damaged? I don't think it's irreperable. Now if I was 40 and I've been using meth half my life ... well, that's another story.
 
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