2 Years Cocaine Use

is cognitive impairment from cocaine use permanent?  Can it be somewhat restored from abstinence?  Is there medical treatment or supplements to restore/improve memory and learning functions?

[caregiver222]

You ask an extremely interesting question to which I do not know the definitive answer.

That being said, it was thought for the last hundred years that brain cells died and would not replicate. Recently, it was found that new brain cells do in fact generate, and that damage can be repaired, albeit slowly, provided there is no cumulative additional insult. Scientific American reviewed this "new" brain cell generation in a recent issue of their periodic "Brain".

I have worked with several stroke damaged elderly patients that regained significant cognition after they had been declared damaged beyond repair. The life-force can be very magical and unpredictable.

There is not good results in terms of regaining past memories.

With abstinence, there will undoubtedly be some improvement, but how much is problematical.

One of the problems with cocaine is that it is sometimes cut with neurotoxic substances, which the user knows nothing about.

[ABC233]

How do I found out how much damage has been caused?  Neurology test?  MRI on brain?  What type of specialist do I see?  Please advise.  I'm worried.  I need to be able to hold on my job and life.  Time is critical

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Cocaine apart from affecting the cognitive function restricts blood flow to brain and can cause multiple small injuries due to poor blood supply. Proper assessment of cognitive loss, areas of brain injured and other memory related issues will need to be done. Please consult a nero-psychologist. There are tests like MRI, memory assessment tests and IQ tests which can be done. With proper rehabilitation there will be marked improvement. Take care!