Does aminos and cocaine abstinence restore/improve cognitive impairments

[ABC233]

I recently quit cocaine 2 weeks ago after 2 years of cocaine use when I first noticed memory, learning, problem solving, and concentration impairments while performing job functions on the job.  My job requires alot of analytical thinking and analysis of information.  My average intake during those 2 years was 3 grams/week.  I became very nervous and stressed 2 weeks ago because the simplest assignments and tasks at work would confuse me.  In response, to boost memory and concentration, I purchased choline, DHA, ginkgo, and Phosphatidylserine.  In addition, I read that cocaine damages neurotransmitters and depletes serotonin and dopamine so I had purchased 5htp, dlpa, L tyrosine, glutamine, multivitamins, fish oil, B-6, B-12, and whey protein.  After 2 weeks of taking the aminos and supplements, I've noticed noticable improvements in brain function 3 days ago.  I feel relieved that progress has been made as my  memory, analytical thought, and problem solving skills have improved.  Progress but the functions arent fully restored.  What exactly is damaged that causes these impairments from cocaine use?  Are aminos and supplements used to repair these damages?  Can the damage be reversed from prolonged abstinence, aminos, and supplement intake?  Does anyone know of people who have experienced the same impairments and eventually they were able to restore those functions?  What is the time frame for continued improvments in brain function?  does it keep improving after 2 weeks of anstinence and aminos/supplements?  Please advise.

[ABC233]

It's been 3 weeks since my last post.  I am now 7 weeks through abstinence and there has been slight improvements in concentration, memory, and cognitive functions.  I took a cat scan, EEG test, and went to neurologist.  Still have to get an MRI to get full diagnosis from doctor.  Man cocaine abuse is scary stuff! I recall 7 weeks ago my brain felt fried and beyond repair, now I have hope as improvements have persist.  I've realized memory healed the quickest but it's the cognitive and analytical thinking that's slowest to recover.  I've read peoples posts and what I've read is that in pretty much 6 months the analytical functions should improve.  This board has really helped me get through these difficult times.  Thanks for provide guidance guys!

[PinPinPatrick]

What exactly is damaged that causes these impairments from cocaine use?  

1. Constricted arterial blood flow to the brain.
2. Areas of "mini-strokes", particularly with overdose where some areas of the brain get a sustained loss of blood flow.  Some small smaller arteries may collapse altogether.   In an area of a mini-stroke, these areas are filled with a 'glial scar'.  It's like a scar in the brain.  This is the same as if you cut yourself with a knife and a scar is there.  
3. Reduced amount of dopamine at the pre-synaptic neuron.  These dopamine supplies will of course be restored to normal levels after you refrain from using.
4. Your dopamine receptors at almost every dopamine synapse in the entire brain will become either sensitized or de-sensitized.  Since cocaine plugs dopamine re uptake pumps... Dopamine receptors D1, D2, D3, D4, & D5... are either down-regulated or up-regulated.  D2 receptors are down regulated so you will have less of these receptors at the post-synaptic neuron.  D3 receptors become up regulated so you will have more of these receptors at the post-synaptic neuron.  Dopaminergic neurons can work for pleasure, movement, motivation, higher order thinking... etc.  These all get out of order with cocaine addiction.

Are aminos and supplements used to repair these damages?  

Definitely.  But it will also take time, exercise, and patience.

Can the damage be reversed from prolonged abstinence, aminos, and supplement intake?

To a certain extent you will recover with time, nutrition, and exercise.  But don't expect your brain to ever work had you never used cocaine, this is the nature of addiction.  Don't let this fact stop you from your recovery, I'm sure you'll be able to recover enough to function well with your job as an accountant.  

Does anyone know of people who have experienced the same impairments and eventually they were able to restore those functions?  

Yes myself.  No I have not been able to recover myself 100%...

What is the time frame for continued improvments in brain function?

You are going to have to quit for the rest of your life and you will have a gradual improvement.  You already notice the difference, you said so yourself.

does it keep improving after 2 weeks of anstinence and aminos/supplements?  

Yes.

Please advise.

I replied to a bunch of your private messages as well.  You are doing everything you can to heal yourself but you're going to have to be patient, you can ask me any more questions if you would like but you seem to be asking the same things again and again.  I have spent lots of time studying cocaine addiction and have read books on addiction and Psychiatrist books as well.  

Keep doing what you're doing.  If you want to know 'how much damage is done'... Well no one can say for sure, probably not even a Doctor.  You can see a Psychiatrist and they are the best able Doctor you could possibly see for cocaine addiction.  They can prescribe certain meds to either 'sensitize' or 'de-sensitize' certain dopamine receptors.    These receptors will adjust on their own with sobriety, but you can't expect them to be bang on perfect like they were before your addiction.  The Doctor might even prescribe some prescription stimulant drugs to help with your concentration or focus.  But of course be careful with your Psychiatrist and make sure he has lots of experience.  Be specific when you talk to him and tell him you were using cocaine 2-3 grams a week for 2 years.  

[dominosarah]

We have given you all the advice we have on this.  Please go and see your doctor or psychiatrist as one person on another forum mentioned to you.........sara

[IBKleen]

Here are the posts for the other five times you asked this question, not including the posts where you asked in Neurology. I believe by now you have gotten all of the responses that you will get from this community.  I think a visit to your doctor would be helpful at this point. Good luck.


http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Head--Traumatic-Brain-Injury/2-Years-Cocaine-Use/show/1459113?personal_page_id=2043495#post_6639600

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Addiction-Substance-Abuse/Is-Memory-and-Learning-Impairment-from-Cocaine-use-permanent/show/1459145?personal_page_id=2043495#post_6639729

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Addiction-Substance-Abuse/Help-Cognitive-impairment/show/1459586?personal_page_id=2043495#post_6641405

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Addiction-Substance-Abuse/Did-anyone-experience-memory-and-learning-impairments-from-cocaine-use/show/1462029?personal_page_id=2043495#post_6651648

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Addiction-Substance-Abuse/Does-aminos-and-cocaine-abstinence-restore-improve-cognitive-impairments/show/1465513?personal_page_id=2043495#post_6666246