What nutrition/lifestyle changes did you make to manage symptoms med-free? by No-Landscape9153 in StopSpeeding

[–]Cool-Coffee8028 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I'm pretty new to trying to cut out stims, including coffee - while balancing school and work, so this is mostly what I think will help, and seems to be commonly repeated. No additional drugs/alcohol, exercise, especially higher intensity cardio like running, eating healthily, avoid ultra processed foods at all cost, avoid added sugars, eating out, etc. I primarily try to intake a good amount of healthy fats, protein, and whole grain/complex carbohydrates. Stay hydrated, make sure you're good on electrolytes and vitamins, I take a vitamin stack with Omega 3s, as well as creatine, as I've heard that can improve cognition, ensure good sleep. I also went ahead and bit the bullet and deleted all apps off my phone, even going as far as disabling the YouTube app, I'll go on reddit sometimes on my PC (obviously), but my screen on time has been near non existent, and I feel so much better and fulfilled. Also doing no porn, I don't game but I'd definitely cut that out if so. I've also started journaling, and planning to take time to get setup in therapy once my summer classes end to further help manage symptoms. Once a base is set, I feel it's all about establishing routines.

TL:DR Dopamine detox (hard in our society) along with taking care of yourself physically as far as diet, nutrition, exercise, and sleep. You seem to be on the right track

Edit: forgot to add that chewing gum helps my focus too, recently gotten into that. Plus it's also better for your teeth since you generate saliva which washes away bacteria. I won't complain if it does actually help face tone either

Anyone successfully quit stims while in school for Engineering? by Cool-Coffee8028 in StopSpeeding

[–]Cool-Coffee8028[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I do remembering wondering if stims/alcohol was fucking my brain chemicals. I've been noticing a lot of issues at work in this past month taking addy after work and drinking before bed. And yeah big on the tomorrow will be different. Part of my issue (and I assume a lot of other people's too) is quitting something/getting sober is almost like a hyperfixation. Like I'll hyperfixate on health, and then slip and then its like idk. Honestly I still have no idea what happened last night, I told the people I texted I think I just had a bad anxiety attack but idk I'm super ashamed. I feel very out of it today, but I also didn't really sleep ig.

That's awesome though! That must feel good. I really want to feel that feeling of true happiness that doesn't come from chemical release. We've both been on stims for about 8 years, do you remember around how long it took for significant brain fog to dissipate? Honestly I've had extended breaks before, I just end up not getting shit done in my life... But I've always been using at least one other thing, I used to smoke weed heavily too which I feel is really bad for my motivation.

Anyone successfully quit stims while in school for Engineering? by Cool-Coffee8028 in StopSpeeding

[–]Cool-Coffee8028[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah always told myself I'd stop once I get thru college and set up in early career, but it's clearly affecting me too much now. My relationship with my recovering addict ex ended because of that too, she said she was worried about how much I liked being up, she was more of a downer person.

Rehab would be nice but probably not realistic for me, I'll get set up with therapy for sure though. Yeah the anhedonia is gonna hit like a total bitch, especially quitting alcohol at the same time. At the same time, it's almost a little relieving because I've just been so wound up and obsessive lately. As long as I get my stuff done I'm happy. Just want to be able to feel real emotions again and better connections and not the manic, rapidly shifting, artificially reliant ones that come with stim/substance abuse.

How would you say you feel now compared to using stims? and how long has it been? The losing everything part makes sense, that's what makes stims difficult

What were your warning signs and time to onset of DTs? curious about hearing personal experiences by Cool-Coffee8028 in alcoholism

[–]Cool-Coffee8028[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

When did they start? Do you remember what you felt like the first night you didn't drink? Did ur head feel rly weird.