No motivation to do anything

[voxxx]

Hi everyone. Im having trouble finding the motivation to do much of anything ever since I got off heroin after a 4 year long addiction. I was a mainly a heavy iv heroin user but also frequently used crack cocaine, often times combined with the heroin. Those were my main two drugs but I used many different drugs over the years including but not limited to weed, methamphetamine, lsd, ketamine, ghb, oxycontin, xanax, fentanyl, and many many others.

My question is it seemed like I was much more motivated to do simple things like take a shower, brush my teeth, wash my clothes, go to school, look for a job, or leave the house for any reason. Ive been clean from all drugs including alcohol for a little over 5 months now and life just seems like a chore. I dont feel like ive struggled very hard to remain clean, I just feel much less productive and motivated to do anything compared to when I was on drugs.

Has anyone else ever felt like this after getting clean? I am aware that I am probably still going through post acute withdrawals from the daily heroin use and maybe thats why I feel the way I do. The only thing is I am not all depressed like I have been with previous attempts at quitting heroin, which leads me to believe that the PAWS must be in remission or something. I am only 20 years old and it just ***** feeling so unmotivated because I still have the rest of my life to live through and it would be hell if I permanently feel like this.

[RainyDay75]

I meant that comment for the poster, voxxx. :) But i'm happy to offer support to other folks as well.

[RainyDay75]

Hey there... I can't really comment on how long it will last, but just want to say hang in there. It is bound to get better. I have had depression when I ran out of Tramadol once, and it was terrifying. So if you want to talk about it, I am happy to help.

[Jimmy1975]

Hi Voxxx , What you are experiencing is a pretty typical complaint from most people getting clean and tring to recapture their life's ! Try and force yourself to do anything like say a walk around the block or even watching a good movie . I promise you one day soon you will wake up and this feeling will be gone ! You will learn to appreciate the simple pleasures in life again . I remember I used to love getting up at about seven or eight in the morning on the weekend and read the newspaper  .Well I stopped that when I changed my life with the pain meds. When I first stopped I remember I would try and sleep a lot of the day away because I was so bored or depressed . But now I am happy to report that I once again enjoy my paper on the weekends at seven or eight A.M. and you will start enjoying your life once again too I promise ! Jimmy

[IBKleen]

Hi, I'm glad you found your way back here.

I can't imagine that you would still be feeling the effects of withdrawal, for one, and while you may be just about in the area for PAWS, it is not known to go into remission. It is just my opinion, but I would rule that out.

It could be one of two things or a combination of the two. One is physical and one is mental. Have you been to the doctor for a check-up (complete with blood work) since getting clean? If not, it would be a good idea.

Additionally, have you done anything in  the way of aftercare? I ask because, crazy as it sounds, it could be something mentally going on with you to cause the physical.

Just stopping the drugs for most of us is not good enough and without aftercare relapse is inevitable. For those of us for which that is true, aftercare  is a blessing.

I can share with you that after a long, long run with Heroin, I was definitely back to my old self after 5 months. So, I think getting a check-up should be your first priority.

Take care of yourself and stick around. It is always great to hear success stories!!!