Bad memory, speech.

I am 30 yr old professional now, but have a history of illicit drug use as an adolescent.  Those drugs included moderate use of alcohol and marijuana.  I had also abused acid, meth, cocaine, and huffed butane but not so much as to call a habit.  I also boxed as an amateur off and on for the past 5 yrs.  I have an incredibly bad short term memory issue to such an extent that I can't retain the info taken in for 30 sec to 1 min later.  This is not with all subjects though.  It is especially difficult with names and locations.  I also have a hard time speaking to people because I can't seem to formulate my thoughts or remember the words for subject matter of my thought.  What I am wondering is whether or not this is a possible early sign of a serious brain function disease or if there is any thing I can do to improve it.  It is becoming worse and I am finding more and more difficulty functioning in the work place.  I also have had an increase in social anxiety to the point of avoidance do to the way that I communicate and the inability to explain issues that arise from memory loss i.e. not remembering the name of some one I see day to day or how to get some where I have been many times in the local area.  

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Although it is possible that there has been brain damage..( you could find out easily with a brain scan), it is also very unlikely that anxiety is compounding your memory problem..I suggest you spend some time with a psychotherapist to explore this....

[Jaquta]

I think it would be a good idea to visit your doctor and discuss the above with them.  I would consider a referral to both a psychiatrist and a neurologist.
My concern would be that they aren't early signs of disease but are the result of your history.  Boxing alone could represent a significant risk of brain injury, etc.

I would start with a specialist appointment and take it from there.
There are strategies that can be implemented to improve functionality.

I'm just a little lay person so I don't know how serious or otherwise this is.  I would get the consults though just to be on the safe side.

[Jaquta]

I think that is suppose to read 'very likely'.  "It is also very likely that anxiety is compounding your memory problem."
Psychotherapy is also a good suggestion.