stuttered immaturity

I have never used drugs and I have a good friend that has been clean for 105 days today. She started using at 19 and is 36 now. She still acts like she's 19. I have heard that people stop maturing mentally at the age they get into the drugs. I want to know if she will catch up to here age (please God) or if she will remain immature. If she does start to catch up how slow is the process? I appreciate your help. Reading your comments help me understand her so much better and I want to help. Thank you.

[overopiates]

        Well I completely agree with that.I started using heavily b4I was 20+Im 30 today actually.Im about 3+1/2months and I already feel like its made a huge difference n me already at least n my own head and I think it takes time(more time than either me or ur friend have clean but Im sure by1yr clean u will c a huge difference.Ur a great friend and she is so lucky to have u.I Lost ALL my friends through my addiction(i really pushed everyone away).Im just now reconnecting w/people i havent n so many years.Give her some time.

[overopiates]

        Well I completely agree with that.I started using heavily b4I was 20+Im 30 today actually.Im about 3+1/2months and I already feel like its made a huge difference n me already at least n my own head and I think it takes time(more time than either me or ur friend have clean but Im sure by1yr clean u will c a huge difference.Ur a great friend and she is so lucky to have u.I Lost ALL my friends through my addiction(i really pushed everyone away).Im just now reconnecting w/people i havent n so many years.Give her some time.

[Luckytwice]

I've never heard of that.  I've heard of mental problems where people don't mature like normal people.  Smoking dope starting in the early teens can cause mental problems, schizophrenic, manic depressive problems, which may make a person seem like  they are somewhat  immature.  Reclusive behavior is a common problem associated with long term pot use, and they just want to live like they were a teen all their lives. They sit around with all their reclusive pot smoking friends and complain about the world progressing (and leaving them behind, they think like a kid does as far as politics go, they want everything free and therefore are usually left wing lunatics))

[overopiates]

Ive heard of it with heavy use of a lot of drugs.The thing about being reclusive Well I did that for a long time while using pills(off and on).I think w/the drugs comes depression as well.If u r on anything and dont really deal w/life it stunts ur emotional growth whether urs pot,pills,coke,booze whatever ur doc is

[Luckytwice]

I see what you mean, and yes, it can, but that isn't permanent. Once a person stops and rejoins the world their social skills improve rapidly. whereas a pot damaged mind is a permanent. They will be manic depressive schizophrenics for the rest of their lives.

[littlebit667]

This is part of  the info I got when we dealt with my husband's alcoholism and learning he was bipolar a few years ago. The psychiatrist gave us this bit of wisdom:  Whenever the addiction takes over..emotional development sorta stops.  Hopefully, when the addiction is no longer part of their lives..the emotional level begins to grow again.

[Inthedark824]

Thank you all so much. You have really helped me here. Her drug of choice was painkillers/opiates. We all just want her well and back in our lives and are trying to figure out how to deal with all of the changes. I really appreciate the information. Have a great day.

[overopiates]

Well she is SO lucky to have such an great support system especially such an AMAZING friend like u.Like I said I pushed all my friends away(met a lot of others who would put out so much effort2b my friend+I constantly blew them off til they gave up).So sad I really do believe now that it had a lot also2do w/my undiagnosed+growing depression.My BF since I was11we talked2days b4my21st b-day had plans etc but out friendship had been deteriorating for a couple yrs.Long story short We didnt talk again n over6yrs when I was pregnant(it broke my heart had no idea why she wouldnt take my calls4two weeks back then)+a old friend who wanted2b both of our BF's NEVER told me she was seeing tiffany all the time+she wanted2c me so bad2apologize6months later.The sneaky friend(who told me she hated tiffany4her own reasons+heard me cry all the time NEVER told me+told tif that I hated her etc).It took FB4US2TALK AGAIN.Im2000miles away now Tiffanys getting married+w/o seeing me n9yrs she asked me last night if Is b her maid of honor(she"fired"her initial1said we were,r+always will b).Of course I accepted+that meant the world2me.Sry2ramble(btw saddest thing is Tiffany thought the ONLY reason she ever had friends was cause I forced people2b nice2her that were my friends through school+she wanted2c if it was true/if she would have friends w/o me?I actually found that heartbreaking+4gave her especially since.she was trying for yrs after6months2get n contact w/me.
I know its long but I wish I had someone like u then maybe I wouldnt have messed up all opportunies2make new friends4yrs+still now.

[Inthedark824]

You have some story to tell. I'm sure all of you do. It is so sad what drugs are doing to so many people. I'm so glad you reconnected with your BFF. That must have given you a huge lift. Hope you are doing well and enjoy that wedding. Have a great day.