Depression & dopamine depletion after quitting methamphetamine

[xxNikkixx]

Swim has been a meth addict on & off for 12 or so years. Swim has also tried quitting & has made it as many as 4 straight months clean. However, when ever swim isn't doing speed, the depression & suicidal tendencies are unbearable. Is this normal? Has anyone else had this or something similar? Is it avoidable? Because to be honest, its better to remain a drug addict than to commit suicide, no?

[izzy31]

YES!!! SWIM used to do meth everyday for quite awhile, and ICE quality too. SWIM hasn't done meth in a couple months and feels HORRIBLE. He uses cannabis to help ease the psychological void. It WILL NOT CURE IT, but as SWIY said, the depression and suicidal feelings are unbearable.

[y0ssarianlives]

SWIM was a speed addict for many years, and is still now recovering from the mental toll the drug took on SWIM's mind. Yes, what SWIY is experiencing is normal. It will take time for the depression and suicidal thoughts to pass. Please, get in to see a psychiatrist and tell them what SWIY is experiencing because of SWIY former drug use and they will present medical options available to help SWIY recover from the damage speed did to your brain. Spare no details about SWIYS former drug use if you go in to see one; it will help them determine what course of action to take. It's literally physical damage to SWIYS brain from the extreme nuerotoxicity of amphetamines that causes SWIYS current state of mind.

It will take time, but it will heal. SWIM can attest to that. It has been nearly 10 months since SWIM took a dose of amphetamines and he is just now beginning to get over the psychosis that has vastly affected his life and mind from speed use.

It's worth it though, please don't go back to it. SWIY will only sink deeper into the pit of despair.

Good luck

[xxNikkixx]

Thank you for your responses, it is much appreciated! However, swim finds no benefit from marijuana, it doesn't help the depression at all.

As for seeing a psychiatrist, that doesn't seem an option, as swim has no medical insurance and is unable to afford the costs & the state won't help. Swim is in over her head.

[Ohboy]

Meth is extremely dopamine enhancing. It causes the brain to release floods of dopamine. To some extend, it acts as a DARI, so it keeps the dopamine in the synapses for a long time.
After repeated long-term use, the brain begins to shutdown dopamine receptors, so when a swimmer is off meth, there is very little dopamine left in brain and she gets depressed. At this point, she actually has a chemical imbalance in her brain. With no dopamine in areas like the temporal lobe, it affects emotional stability. With it missing in places like the striatum, there is impaired mental function. Basically, the swimmer cannot think or feel. Everything is cold and grey.
Over time the brain can replace depleted dopamine, but it is not designed to do it quickly. It might be possible to help it along, though. Try things that stimulate dopamine production. Start with the physical - EAT! Eat lots of whole foods...meat, eggs, dairy, even bananas. These have tyrosine, which the body converts to dopamine.
Exercise - Dopamine is used in movement. Doesnt have to be strenuous, but keep moving. Walking, cleaning, moving things.
Try to get the brain to make more dopamine by stimulating its manufacture. Listen to favorite music, find pictures or movies of nature. Colorful rolling hills, pretty birds, waterfalls might help. Water is very healing.
Even things like chocolate and sex might help stimulate the brains production of dopamine.
Dont give up. It seems worse than it is. Weaker people than swiy have pulled through this and so can swiy. Swiy'll feel Swiyself becoming stronger as time goes by. Dont be so quick to think swiy's only options are addiction or suicide. Theres a lot more than what swiy sees.
If someone has the flu, they lie around a while feeling bad, then they get up and try to help make themselves better. Its now time to get up and help swiys mind make itself better.
Hope this helps.
Good luck

[Metomni]

There are places you can go even if you don't have health insurance where they will look at your need and circumstances and get you help. Don't let that be the obstacle that puts you back into the addiction. SWIM has no experience with this addiction, but he can only imagine the despair it causes and pleads for you to get some help.

Just google something like family counseling centers in the area that you live and look. There's help out there, you just have to go get it.

Good luck friend. :)

[humdroid]

SWIM was an amphetamine addict, not meth, but the sulphate version, otherwise known as base.
Base caused SWIM's ankles to swell up, which possibly indicated SWIMS heart didnt like speed too much.
SWIM isnt doing base anymore, but hears you, original poster, about your friend SWIM, and his depression.
SWIM even feels too depressed to do base now, but has pondered, "heart attack while high" versus "wasted talent, poor opinion of humanity, and inability to deal with outside pressures"
Of course, the life choice is always right, no matter how our friends, messrs SWIM, are convinced otherwise.

[ShaGoDNe]

The depression is a byproduct of the euphoria that you once felt, it is only natural that you saw heaven, now you must experience hell...
With that said, many good suggestions have been made, albeit they might sound light and fluffy, do not under-estimate the benefit of doing something that you don't want to do even though you know it will help you... Movement from your depressive state will trigger inertia and once the ball is rolling there is no stopping you.
Also, be aware of the neuro-transmitter damage done to the brain throughout use, and read up on amino-acids as they are the precursors to the neuro-transmitters activated &/or damaged...
I would recommend investing in some Melatonin, Tyrosine & Tryptophan supplements... and perhaps gearing a diet around the depleted amino-acids... Don't forget about some Calcium as well eh??