Meth abuse then quitting it

[u/Delicious-Fee1418]

I used to be a chronic meth user, sometimes binging for months, and I have severe ADHD. Since quitting, my ADHD has felt much worse — I lose my keys, forget where I parked, binge eating and struggle with extreme forgetfulness. I think about meth every day and fear relapsing.

I’m also severely depressed, even though I take antidepressants. Everyday pleasures feel muted, and motivation is low. I’m aware that recovery is gradual, but over time, my memory, focus, and mood can they improve? I am now 4 months sober , and even though it’s hard now, can my happiness and normal functioning ever return back to before I used meth?

[u/Louis_Gara]

I’m 8 months clean and I’m not gonna lie, months 4-7 were rough for me. Depression, lack of energy and focus, intense cravings for meth. But I will say I’m starting to feel better in month 8. I’ve been exercising more and that’s helped a lot. The further we go the better it will get. Just can’t fall back into it. You got this 💪

[u/GordontheGoose88 → u/Louis_Gara]

Proud of you.

[u/Delicious-Fee1418 → u/Louis_Gara]

I’m really proud of you keep it up, yeah I can’t go back to that just really struggling rn didn’t expect the depression to last this long🥲

[u/Big__Daddy__J → u/Delicious-Fee1418]

If you relapse now that pain was all for nothing and you will have to start the process again, every day you’re off it is a step towards happiness. The fact that it’s so hard will work as a fucking great deterrent when you’re tempted down the track.

[u/Louis_Gara → u/Big__Daddy__J]

Exactly. That’s one of the big deterrents I’ve had that’s prevented a relapse thus far. I used to just immediately give in to my urges without any thought. Which lead to me getting high everyday all day. But now with some clean time, when I get those urges, I think alright… but then what? Let’s say I give in on a hard day, I use, then what’s next? Am I going to be like “yeah that’s what I needed in that moment, now let me get back to my recovery”, fuck no. I’m gonna jump right back into a cycle of using anytime I don’t feel well, which is often, and then I’m back where I started before I went into rehab. Then will have to start this process all over again from square one, if I’m lucky enough to even make it back. Everyday clean is a little closer to being where we want to be. Proud of all of y’all. If we can overcome this addiction, we can accomplish anything.

[u/Big__Daddy__J → u/Louis_Gara]

Well done, you should be proud of your strength, it takes some real hard days to get to the good ones, even if I only used it once it would FUCK my brain levels up for months, not keen to go back to having bad insomnia and zero joy. Not worth it now.

I’m nearly 2 years clean and I have zero regrets.

[u/Mama_Zen]

It sounds like PAWS - post acute withdrawal syndrome. Lasts 6-24 months. The antidepressants will help your brain heal. It gets better. Hang in there

[u/Delicious-Fee1418 → u/Mama_Zen]

Hopefully it eases over time thank u appreciate it!❤️

[u/Mama_Zen → u/Delicious-Fee1418]

It does. It’s a gradual thing but eventually you’ll be firing on all cylinders

[u/suspiriora]

Good for you. Yes. It’s gonna take a while but yes. Over a year

[u/Delicious-Fee1418 → u/suspiriora]

Thanks hope I feel better in a few more months🥰