carolinablues14 Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Does anyone know if Adderall use/abuse has been shown to cause permanent brain damage? Or other damage to body systems? I am worried it may have permanently messed with my neurotransmitters. I don't know if I am just being overly concerned or if this is something that will go away in time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerokewl Posted June 11, 2014 Report Share Posted June 11, 2014 This is a hard question to answer conclusively. There isn't any scientific evidence to suggest that these stimulants cause brain damage. But this is a very poorly researched drug and we are in the dark ages when it comes to brain science. Adderall really messes with your brain chemistry, and it takes a while to re-calibrate. Essentially adderall weakens your minds motivations, signals and natural cues. It takes some time to become excited about a project and be motivated to complete it. It takes time. Your brain does recover, you just need to let recovery take it course. It has its own timeline.In early recovery i slept a lot a year later I don't feel like I have damaged my brain in a significant way. But there are no brain before and after photos. So its impossible to tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandnewme Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I've thought about this a lot. I have been sober for 16 months 11 days and from the research I've done I believe our brain will fully recover but like zerokewl said it will take a lot of time. I don't think my brain has fully recovered yet. I'm hoping after two years it may be back to normal? I abused adderall and amphetamines hardcore for about 3 years. I'm not really sure though. But keep going it will get better one day at a time and we are all here for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinW Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Everyone's recovery time-frame is different, but the general opinion is that no permanent damage has been done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandnewme Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Thank you for replying Justin. I'm very glad that most think most likely no permanent damage was done it gives me hope for a beautiful future. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinW Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Brain damage or not, the future is what YOU make of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandnewme Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 True Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinablues14 Posted June 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 thanks for all the responses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlwaysAwesome Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 I don't know about brain damage, but I think I was starting to hallucinate. I was seeing things, I thought they were bugs, out of the corner of my eye. One more reason to quit! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerokewl Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 Always , thats actually a pretty common side effect. I also heard things like fans etc. things I usually could block out we're really loud and annoying. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 I used to hear voices coming out of the fans. And the shower, and the air conditioner...and in the trees...and in my head. It was horrible. Adderall is horrific. I definitely still suffer from post withdrawal but my motivation has come back. Unless I'm exhausted and I want to collapse on the couch, of course I do not have motivation. I have motivation in how a normal person will have motivation. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlwaysAwesome Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 I am missing the super powers, but loving not feeling like a slave to that damn pill bottle! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlwaysAwesome Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 I was also having really hard time having conversations with people. I felt awkward and would stumble over my words. Very out of character for me and quite distressing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 I was also having really hard time having conversations with people. I felt awkward and would stumble over my words. Very out of character for me and quite distressing! When you take a lot, u get wired. It's like trying to talk to someone with 10 cups of coffee in you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassie Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 When you take a lot, u get wired. It's like trying to talk to someone with 10 cups of coffee in you. I experienced that even at a low dose. I couldn't speak fluidly and I always questioned if what I was saying was appropriate to the conversation . 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerokewl Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Don't forget the swamp mouth bad breath and freezing cold hands. Great way to make a first impression Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Or sweaty AND cold hands ugh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashley6 Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 I had the same conversational awkwardness when abusing adderall. My friends that were around me a lot during that time said it was like a delay in my brain when responding to normal conversational things...and these were people I was totally comfortable with. I feel like adderall made me act really awkward, and my personality was just flat.....or at least that's how I viewed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlwaysAwesome Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 I didn't view my personality as flat, but I never really thought about it. I don't know how long I have been awkward and "flat" without noticing it. It really only became noticeable (to me) in the last couple of months. The people in my life didn't mention it. Two main reasons... 1. They didn't know me before Adderall, so no difference to them; or 2. They had seen/experienced the changes and didn't want to set me off (my poor husband ). Every day is a challenge (why is everything so HARD?), but I am never going back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigem2012 Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 I am going on 18 months and wonder about this topic everyday.... Has anyone gotten back to a pre adderall mental state? I constantly feel like my brain is weak and damaged. Hoping there is potential in the future to be back close to 100% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassie Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 I am going on 18 months and wonder about this topic everyday.... Has anyone gotten back to a pre adderall mental state? I constantly feel like my brain is weak and damaged. Hoping there is potential in th e future to be back close to 100% Yes, somewhere between 2 and 2.5 years 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 I am not back to preadderall state yet because I still can potentially face really bad withdrawal such as yesterday. Especially yesterday. I have normal motivation and drive though whereas when I quit I felt zero motivation and zero passion for anything. But Cassie May be right about that time frame and I am an exception. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassie Posted June 27, 2014 Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 I was on for 4.5 yrs and wasn't an abuser vs. Inrecovery who was like Charlie Sheen compared to me. So everyone will vary depending on time, dose, age, etc. I still have a PAWS day now and then. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted June 27, 2014 Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 Lol ...I was like Charlie sheen...lol I'm going to change my screen name to charliesheen lol 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerokewl Posted June 27, 2014 Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 Lol ...I was like Charlie sheen...lol I'm going to change my screen name to charliesheen lol Change it to tiger blood. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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