unigirl

HIya everyone,
Im just a little concerned about my memory (short term and long term too). Recently i've notced my i cannot remember things for the life of me- like names of people i live with- things im studying in class....just silly little things really- ofte they'll come back to me. Maybe im just over reacting but i am thinking my drinkign could have caused this - like mild damage to the brain. I am only 20- drank for 6 years- heavily, binged a lot- esspecially toward the end (was nightly for the last month) I ve been sober 3 weeks now. Just wondering if others have experienced this? I also have trouble remembering past experiences too- like my whole drinkign experience often seems a blur (lol i know i was drunk so obviously! - but what i mean is i cant seem to rememer things i once could) maybe this is just my subconcious blocking out things that are painful.

Maybe this is just a phase - i dunno. Its not really causing me much grief anyway- but i am curious if my drinking has something to do with this (likely...) and if others have experienced this?

sugErspun

It takes awhile for your head to clear. If you remain sober, it will get better.

bugsworth

It does take time, but things come back. Remembering names were hard for me at first, but I am getting much better. Try reading more...it helps to exercise the muscle we neglected for so long. I wouldn't worry too much.

jimhere

I've been sober quite a while and sometimes even now, something or someone will pop up and I haven't thought about that person for years. Happened last week. Someone I knew in early sobriety came up to me and said hello. I was embarrased that I couldn't remember their name.

CarolD

You may not be aware of PAWS

Post Acute Withdrawl - Relapse Prevention Specialists - TLC The Living Center

My memory cleared when I was sober
around 3 months.

however...
the blackout times never have.
Please read #17 here

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...influence.html

Glad to see you have 3 weeks!

unigirl

Thanks everyone for your helpful comments. Carol this has worried me a little though - i dont think i have any symptoms of PAWS other than memory and sometimes inabiltity to think clearly- but i can be like that if im stressed anyway.

What should i do!? How do i kno wif i have this or not? im about to do my 12 step programme - will this get rid of it if i do even have it (which i doubt lol) sorry im just a little worried now!

caraway

Are you taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement. Vitamin b complex is particularly good. (Alcoholics who take vit b 2 are unlikely to got Korsakovs syndrome which is a severe memory deficit.) Good diet and plenty of time (staying off alcohol should help).

CarolD

Try not to worry and allow yourself time to heal.
AA helps me immensley
but it had nothing to do with memory.

Look at it this way....
you have youth on your side
you are beginning to work for a positive future
your drinking was not for decades
and Yes!
you too can find your way.

29a

It definately takes a while. You can't reverse years of drinking in the blink of an eye. Remember easy does it, and don't let this scare you. Everything will work out exactly as it has to. You'll be fine.
It took me a few months to feel some what clear headed. And I still think I am improving daily. Everything is a process.

Signal30

When you first got sober, did you go to your doctor? If not, I suggest you may want to go soon. Be honest with your doctor, tell him/her that you are sober now, and the symptoms you are having. It's probably nothing, but it's good to advise your doctor of your sobriety.


Tom

Flood

At almost 3 months sober i still get adrenal dumps, memory problems, and some mild insomnia,, but it is soo much better than what it used to be !!!!


Keep on keeping on ... your reward is waiting

Tommyh

I have been sober nearly 20 yrs and my memory has got much better,but it not perfect.
The program (12 steps) has helped a lot too.I believe a little bit of it comes from damage done by my drinking/drugging.If you are very concerned,see a Dr also.

My second sponser pointed out several things to me-exercise my brain by doing mental exercises.They come in many forms.



second,about the real alcoholic blackouts-what we experienced or did then drunk,cannot be recalled by any means,medical,hypnosis, or any other way.They are lost for good.
He learned that from a phys.(Dr Bethesda from Mich) he worked with for his first 5 yrs sober in Detroit,Mich,from 1973-1978.Seems the Dr was heavily involved in helping alcoholics and studing our mental workings,drunk and sober.

unigirl

Thankyou again everyone for taking the time to reply- i am not so worried now! I am going to my doc tommrow anyway- so i will deffo mention then memory loss. I will also get some of those vitiman b supplements caraway.

I know that i will never recall blackouts- and i'd rather not anway. As for my general drinking, i do hope some of it comes back (which it has been doing from reading an old diary) just so im a bit more clearer about it. Howeve i recognise the importance of keeping it in the day, so im def gonna concentrate more so on today (something i find difficult at times.)
Thanks again.

Paulos

Yeah Unigirl, kinda what I'm going through! forgetting crap, thinking you don't know what an ounce is, questioning your judgment in situations such as buying even grocery items, talking to people without saying a word slurred or such, yup that's lovely brain fog.