Permanent Brain Damage?

[rue10]

I've been without my drug of choice for over 190 days now.  I am pleased about that but I'm not happy.  I wonder if I've done permanent brain damage to myself from opiate abuse.  I'm wondering of the neurotransmitters are totally dead.  I read many posts here about how eventually you are happy again and have energy and look forward to each new day.  I'm waiting and I'm getting scared.  If I have done permanent damage, I'll have to live with it and that makes me even more sad.  Some days are just so hard.  I've tried antidepressants previously and didn't get positive results.  Do you think it will get better?  My twisted mind tells me to take a pill.

Any advice is welcome.

[rue10]

Thanks for your comments and encouragement.  

CR - Thanks for the tips on aminos etc.  I'll try omega immediately.  

All of your comments are appreciated.

Blessings.

[refusingbondage]

I am watching this post for sure.  3 months and I feel the same way..  Looking at your post (190 days--WOW!) and the responses, I guess I am a bit impatient.  Thanks for asking though -- its been on my mind a lot lately.  

[CR_ST_NA]

we need omega fatty acids and amino acids for our brains to work properly, this also aides in the healing process. try some flax oil, get the one that contains omega 3, 6 and 9. also get some amino acids. if you can afford it go and see and natural doctor. mine gave me so much great insight on what my body and brain needs after drug abuse and it has changed my life. i know how you are feeling and i empathise with you. also to feel better and to get out of the fog we have to exercise, sounds simple i know, but if we will force our selves to walk briskley or jog you will see a huge difference. good luck to you, God bless you. christina

[dominosarah]

I would read up on PAWS.  I have my ups and downs being clean over 7 months. I wouldnt worry about brain damage.  It will come.

Congrats on the clean time!!!!!!         stay strong        sara

[rue10]

Worried:

I have over 190 days clean.  I've heard people report feeling happy at two even three months.

Nogie:

My DOC was percocet/vicodin.  I took them for about 8 years and very heavily for the last 3.  Six, to eight or ten pills a day and any mg I could get my hands on.

[kim715]

My last w/ds were from methadone too...It's been 9 months now....I think it took me about 4 or 5 months to say that I was actually really and truly happy again,before that I was happy to be clean,but I didn't get the same joy out of life that I used to until the 4th or 5th month.It's a work in progress and it takes time.I know it gets frustrating,trust me,I know that feeling of thinking will I ever be truly happy again or is this as good as it gets.It does get better all the time for me now,honestly.Life isn't always a bed of roses for me,but thats normal,it's never that way for anyone all the time.Now though when I'm happy...I'm truly happy...I'm not just putting on a smile and going through the motions.hang in there....All the best...Kim

[worried878]

at 6 days u can not even think u did permanent brain damage...u r too shortly clean to make any decisions about how u will feel..it may take a few months but ur brain will heal...the body is amazing in its power to regenerate....the receptors we built to handle overl;aod will never go away/but they will go to sleep and it will help the depression and craving trmendously...give this a chance and look at the thomas recipe remembering the aminos are for depression and brain healing..and exercise...have u tried exercising ?  try it if u can for at least 20 minutes/enuf to get u going and ur heart rate up a bit..and u will feel them release/the endorphins..then u will know that they r still there..keep hanging on and do not fear as ur brain is not dead

[nogie1717]

What was your DOC?  I was addicted to Methadone and I had w/d's and PAWS for a very long time.  Give me a bit more insight into your use and I will help as best as I can.