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Question

Hello, I have a question about MDMA abuse and brain damage recovery. I have abused the drug between the ages of 18-23. I am 26 Male. I have been drug free for 2.5 years. I damaged my brain heavily from abusing this drug in that time period. Symptoms include, extreme difficulty focusing, disorientation, and loss of attention span/concentration. Also, some symtoms are ADD related, such as being very easily distracted, shifting from one incomplete task to another, often not listening to what is being said, often failing to give close attention to details, and often not listening to when spoken to directly. I have started taking VAXA attend to relieve the symptoms and it helps a little. Some days are worse than others. Usually my concentration is good in the morning and late night but throughout the afternoon, its usually very bad. Overall , noticing 65% improvement since I quit using drugs. Do I have a chance of recovering 90% in several years?

Submitted: 221 days and 21 hours ago.
Category: Mental Health
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Age: 26; Male, Michigan

Accepted Answer

Hi XXXXXXXXXXX,

 

Unfortunately, there is no way anyone can tell you, without a face-to-face evaluation what kind of damage you've done and how permanent it will be.

 

If you want that sort of evaluation you will either want to see a Neurologist for an evaluation (brain scan) or a psychiatrist for proper medication or a neuropsychologist for neuropsychological testing which can tell you about your brain functions (through computer and paper and pencil tests, as opposed to MRI, SPECT etc... tests)

 

The problem with drugs is that they (1) completely deplete the neurotransmitters and endorphins in area of the brain responsible for things like attention, joy, concentration etc... and (2) have the ability to effect different people differently.

 

The ultimate way to know what damage has been done is with a brain scan, although a psychiatrist may be able to prescribe medications that address the symptoms.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Nancy

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Expert: Nancy
Pos. Feedback: 98.7 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 4/15/2009

Psychotherapist

ABD for a PhD in Psychology, Psychotherapist for over 20 years

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