The first drug I ever did was ecstasy. I was 13. It changed me.

Niko54

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I was in 8th grade when I did ecstasy for the first time. I was so high that I walked into oncoming traffic on Pacific Coast Highway before being pulled off of the road by a girl I liked. It was one of the most incredible things I've ever experienced. I can only rationally quantify it by assuming the reason it was so incredible is because I felt the effects of the drug compounded with that innate wonder and lust for life that you only feel when you're a child. I didn't want to die. In fact, it was the exact opposite; I felt invincible.

I think that experience "broke" my brain.

After that, for as long as I can remember, I'd get this feeling; the only way I can describe it is "bottoming out". I'd feel absolutely miserable, anxious and undeniably suicidal for, get this: 10-15 seconds. Then I'd snap out of it. I disregarded it for years, thinking it was something temporary that'd fix itself. I carried on living a typical high schooler's life. Parties, social drinking, rarely any drug use - until I was 16. That's when I tried cocaine.

Cocaine became a casual thing for me, but I truly disliked the comedown. Fun, but not for me. Next.

All of the sudden I was 20. That's when I discovered Norco. I was still "bottoming out" regularly, but Norco helped. It started out as another casual indulgence. But quickly took a turn and became the story we all know and love/hate: it became my crutch. I was a fully functioning addict, featuring all the terrible things that come along with it. Except no one had any idea outside of my dealer and a single friend.

Here I am, 9 years later. I've been off Norco for 90 days. I didn't go to rehab, I didn't tell anyone; I simply stopped for the first, and hopefully, last time. (Loperamide was, in fact, a wonder drug for me. Feel free to DM or ask for more info on how I integrated this into my routine.)

I still drink. I haven't "bottomed out" since quitting (although I know it's coming) but I am depressed, anxious, and constantly having drastic mood swings that scare the people close to me. I've tried Zoloft to no avail, and I'm terrified of Benzos as I feel like I may like them too much. I don't think SSRI's and SNRI's are an option for me, as my career is creativity-based and everyone I know that has been prescribed antidepressants have had all of their creativity sucked right out of them, as I did with Zoloft. That, and I couldn't even get out of bed while taking them.

I feel trapped. I'm writing this is to see if anyone else out there has felt something similar to "bottoming out", and how they've dealt with those intermittent, but severe changes in mood like I have, in addition to the debilitating depression and anxiety that sets in after a decade of abusing prescription painkillers.

Any advice is much appreciated.
 
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Thank you, I appreciate that.

Yes, I have. I started swimming again and have changed my diet significantly. The exercise definitely helps keep me relatively level/positive. But for some reason I still can't seem to shake the anxiety/depression from taking over by the end of the day. I'm good for a few hours after working out, but then slowly start to slide back downhill. Just debating if medication is the answer or not.
 
Dude you're still in recovery. It took a decade of drug use to get you here, it probably won't level out in 90 days however it should always be getting better. Good job on 90 days, I'm close to a month, and if it helps to know I have some chest pain and some anxiety as well and I was iv'ing roxies. You can do this man, stay focused and focus on your goals. I've been reading a lot about the law of attraction and using th powerful tool that is your mind. You're past the worst of it. Wish you nothing but success and happiness in the rest of your life
 
Do you think there may be a root to these. Are these emotions indicating that you need to do something in your life. Does something not sit well or need to change.

Possibly. It's just odd because my life has taken many drastic twists and turns throughout the years, but the feeling still persists. Lifestyle is definitely something I should keep an eye on - the people and things around me could be affecting me without my even realizing.

I was doing some homework on Baclofen; I took 20mg tonight and noticed that my anxiety has subsided for the time being, and pretty significantly. Have you heard anything about using Baclofen off-label like this?
 
Dude you're still in recovery. It took a decade of drug use to get you here, it probably won't level out in 90 days however it should always be getting better. Good job on 90 days, I'm close to a month, and if it helps to know I have some chest pain and some anxiety as well and I was iv'ing roxies. You can do this man, stay focused and focus on your goals. I've been reading a lot about the law of attraction and using th powerful tool that is your mind. You're past the worst of it. Wish you nothing but success and happiness in the rest of your life

Thank you RoxieRoad, I appreciate the kind words. Best of luck to you as well.

Do you have methods that you use regularly to stay positive?
 
PAWS may be part of the puzzle.

With the anxiety, is there anything that brings it on or makes it worse.

Exercise causes the production and regulation of our neurotransmitters and promotes neuroplasticity and regeneration. It also promotes sleep and treats or cures anxiety and depression.

Working to change the way we think can be life changing. Our experience in life is determined by our perception of life. Our perception of life is determined by our thoughts. We control/can learn to control our thoughts. So we control and determine our experience of life. We have almost no control over what life throws our way, but total contol over how we chose to look at what we are handed.

PAWS LINKS
Why We Don’t Get Better Immediately: Post-acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
Post Acute Withdrawal (PAW) Excerpted From “Staying Sober” By: Terence T. Gorski
Post-acute-withdrawal syndrome Wiki

Exercise and Brain Neurotransmission
Neurobiology of Exercise
Aerobic Exercise
Exercise 4 Health, Mental Health, and Addiction vs. The Endorphin Factory
Exercise 4 Health, Mental Health, and Addiction vs. I worked all that out
exercise and sleep

Chemicals and supplements to recover from opiate addiction
Diet & Neurogenesis


it is a powerful thing to keep our thoughts positive and here are some threads many of us use to help us do this.
Good things about being off drugs/getting sober
Share Something Positive from Your Day vs. It's All Around You
Today I Am Thankful For... Ver. 4 Infinite Chances in an Amazing World
Daily Personal Affirmations Log Vs IM THE SHIT & NOT a piece a.. not playing me. NOPE
Managing depressive thinking

Here is the mindfulness thread.
Anhedonia MEGA Thread


Most people pass through the paws between 6.5 to 9 months after cleaning up.
 
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