Expert: Crystal - 6/1/2007

Question
Hi,I'm a 26 year old female that has been clean of drugs for a little over a year. I quit cold turkey with no help from rehab. My question is, I'm trying to get my life back. I feel that drugs have changed my personality. I'm suffering from depression and anxiety. I'm taking anti depressants and it has def. helped, ALOT. I just feel that I'm not as sharp as I once was. I used to be very articulate, now I have a hard time with that. Is there hope. Will I ever be the same again? Is there life after drugs? Can I re train my brain to be smart again? It could also be poor self esteam.

Answer
Lena,
Tell me alittle bit about what you did and how long you did them for. One question I have to ask is if your drug of choice was Meth? Meth and Cocaine/Crack Cocaine have a way of messing up the brain but Methamphetamines can cause real brain damage. I understand why you are struggling with articulation and response because it takes up to two years after you are clean to regain the function of the brain and sometimes longer. It is like suffering from a brain trauma and it can be really hard to retrain your brain. I would suggest going back to your old habits of learning before you began using and if you can, read everyday to gain some of that knowledge back. I know it can be hard and you have to force yourself sometimes, you will feel tired and may fall asleep at first but it is only because the brain gets tired after working so hard. Just don't give up, use this as an opportunity to grow and read about maturity and real life stuff, things that will help you to learn and function better.
Make sure you take your meds like you are ordered by the doctor for more effectiveness.
Good luck
Crystal