How to improve quality of life after drugs.?

I am so happy that you have been able to stay sober for 6 months! That is a great achievement. Many people actually get clinically depressed after they stop using drugs. It doesn't have to be permanent but they (you?)need to get on an antidepressant to get over this.

Alcohol use over time can kill brain cells but that doesn't mean that that happened to you. If you are Depressed, your Depression will reduce the ability of your mind to function; and again, an antidepressant is necessary to get your brain functioning normally again.

I don't know what your drug of choice was but I noticed something when I quit drinking. I wasn't chemically dependent and never had more than 1 drink a day but I had to quit drinking because I have esophageal reflux disease.

I mention this because even though my use was minimal, I became aware that my mental functioning gradually improved for about a year after I stopped drinking that small amount.

I'm retired now but the last 20 years I worked as a Registered Nurse on psychiatric and chemical dependency units in hospitals. I'm not criticizing, but you say that your life is a mess but that that is not the problem.

I would suggest that it probably is a big part of the problem. Having your life in a "mess" can cause many mental and emotional problems. I don't know what state you live in but I live in Minnesota and "The 12 Steps of AA" are a big part of any chemical dependency treatment program. Also, it is recognized that after quitting chemical use, that going to AA or Narcotics Annonymous at least every week is necessary to not only stay sober but also to be happy without using illegal substances or alcohol.

Just going to the meetings every week (or more often) is not enough. A person must actually use the "12 Steps" in their life. The 12 Steps (among other things) are the main basic principles on how to be happy in life, how to get big messes out of your life and keep them out.

They are especially important in chemical dependency because if your life is unhappy, it is hard to stay sober. The other reason why it is necessary to go to meetings frequently is that you need to make friends with other men who have the problem of chemical dependency and are staying sober.

I hope what I have written is helpful to you. By staying sober for 6 months despite your other problems shows that you can stay sober if you take advantage of the resources available. The other thing that is vitally important and is a part of the 12 Steps is through prayer and meditation and following the 12 steps, to have a closer relation to your "Higher Power"

It is your Higher power that will help you in life and through your relationship with Him, give the greatest meaning to your life.

God bless you.

PS: I just read your addendum of what drugs you used. You definately need to be on an antidepressant to combat the effects of the cocaine and crystal meth. Also, if the anti anxiety meds you abused were benzodiazapines it will take some time for your brain and nervous system to adjust to not taking them any more.

I would strongly encourage you to find a psychiatrist that is knowledgable in treating the after effects of drug use. It looks to me like you will eventually be ok but it will take some time and effort to do this. Be encouraged that I have known many people whose drug use was much worse than yours and are now happy and sober, living normal lives. They were people just the same as you are and you can do it too.

Jackie,

I don't know your age or your education so I won't mention "go to

college" as an answer. If you are concerned that much that the

drugs may have caused brain damage, you can always be tested

for this. Call your physician and ask for a referral to a qualified

licensed psychiatrist. Also, remember the 12-Steps you learned in

rehab? I have found that to deal with my problems, when I volunteer

my time to help others, it helps me. I will be praying for you and I

hope you find the peace you are yearning. Why don't you call

your sponsor and discuss this?

Limo

Not that I can think of. Deliberately giving women lighter sentences, pushing women into the workplace ahead of men regardless of consequence or qualification, trying to overthrow democracy by forcing 50% of parliament to be female MPs (already happened in Spain), trying to close all women's prisons in the UK because "women don't deserve to be imprisoned and can be rehabilitated" (and men can't??) (Harriet Harman, ex minister for women), the fact that there is a minister for women and not for men (!!!) among many other things.

Do something for yourself to make you feel better. Take a class in an adult education program that you are interested in, like yoga, calligraphy, sewing, flower arranging, guitar, dancing, whatever interests you. You will learn something new, make new and different friends, and change your routine. It won't be easy, but take a leap, you kicked the drugs, now start reinventing yourself.

God Almighty is your best Healer. Get connected with Him and live a great life.

God loves you, and you are precious to Him. The Son of God died on the Cross to save us from condemnation, and qualifying us to Heaven. Just come to Jesus with genuine repentance and faith and you will be saved for eternity. Heaven is wonderful beyond description and forever without end. Never miss Heaven for anything of this troubled world. Life on earth is short and uncertain. Get right with God before it is too late. Best wishes for happiness and Heaven! (www.soon.org.uk)

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I'm making a research into this so I might help but I need a few more info...

-what drugs you have used and how much time

-feelings (emotions ,etc) brain power value 1/10

thanks

yeah, I went down the same road and decided to go back to college. You would be surprised at what you can achieve! You can do ANYTHING that you want.