I wonder if anyone can help....

[Moloch]

I haven't left my house in a couple days and I seem to have developed this phobia of going out or talking to anyone something is seriously wrong with me I don't know what is wrong with me.

I have always been a shy person but never to this point. I'm really worried. I used to use a lot of crystal meth. I haven't touched the stuff for six months but I am worried that it has caused irreversable psychological problems. Does anyone know anything about this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[yardwork]

1. damkira, I'm sorry about what you are going through!

Do you have a psychiatrist or therapist? If so, please give her or him a call right away. Nobody online can provide the expert, one-on-one assistance that you need.

Congratulations for being free of meth for six months! Are you in a recovery program? If so, do you have a sponsor or trusted member of the group that you can call?

I didn't use meth but I am a recovering alcoholic who has been sober for almost five years. I remember that the first year brought many ups and downs. I believe that this is a normal part of recovery. Your body and mind has to recover from the damage and rebuild. It is difficult and scary to do this alone.

Please seek help from professionals and other recovering addicts whom you can trust. You are in my prayers and I hope that things will look much brighter soon! Things have improved greatly in my life during the past years of sobriety.

[Droopy]

2. Hey, damkira

I know first hand that recreational drugs can mess up your head. I'd like to echo yardwork's suggestions. It's times like you are experiencing right now that a sponsor from a recovery program can be of great assistance.

I'm glad that you are clean now. Keep up the good work. I've heard that a meth addiction can be particularly difficult to overcome.

A psychologist would probably be a benefit to you right now, too. If you go to one it's important that you are open and honest.

I know that drug use can cause problems that people have to deal with for the rest of their lives. I'm not saying that this has happened to you, but it is possible. There is always treatment available and if you are facing a situation like that then the symptoms of your illness can be treated and you can lead a healthy life. It would probably be a good idea to see a mental health professional for at least an evaluation and then you can decide what course of action is best for you.

[DemExpat]

3. damkira,

I also had exasperated mental health problems from the use of recreational drugs in my 20s, but also from prescription ones. :-(

Phobia being one aspect of this - also of going out of the house.

Please get in touch with your doctor for referral to health care professionals - preferably with someone with experience with people with histories of drug use.

I also used to freak out with the thought that damage/symptoms were permanent, but for me this is not the case.

Congratulations on not touching the drug, damkira!

I would strongly advise you to see your doctor, and if you can, force yourself to go out of the house and talk to people, if only for a few minutes a day.

With my history of phobias, I found that avoidance of situations especially was the cause of worsening conditions.

The best tip I learned, and have taught to my daughter when she has some anxieties, is to not avoid the situation totally, to face the fears and the physical reactions of the adrenaline rush - which IS the panic feeling itself - and to learn to breathe/relax through it.

When you practice this technique, you find out that it really is "just" a physical rush of adrenaline causing the most uncomfortable feelings/sensations.

Avoid stimulants like Coffee, black tea, chocolate, tobacco, avoid alcohol, and perhaps take several doses of a calming herb mixture like Valerian/Passionflower/Hops, which has helped me out many times to take the edge off of the anxiety.

It is vital to try to stop the vicious circle NOW before it gets to be a habit/pattern. Imho.

Please feel free to PM me if you want to talk more.

:hug:

DemEx

[mdmc]

4. Hang in there

burn that negative karma

This too shall pass,,,,

[Ladyhawk]

5. I'm sorry! I sometimes have this problem, too.

My first inclination is to ask you to see a doctor as soon as you can. Let him know about the meth use and ask what kind of long-term psychological effects it can have.

I stay in my apartment for days and days and days. I don't like going out because there are so many people from my past I'd rather avoid. This semester, I'm going to make myself take at least one class and I may end up back in chorus despite the director. I plan to do both despite the fact I have to move again and have to have surgery soon. I'll drop out when I have to, if it comes to that.

What I've learned and have to keep relearning: a body at rest tends to stay at rest. A body in motion tends to stay in motion.

Once I've made that first step and reached out, it becomes easier. I usually end up being the class smartass because I'm quick with one-liners.