Functional problems after Abuse: coping with Memory loss

[anony]

Hi
SWIM has recently abused alcohol(4 years on & off ),cannabis(4 years on & off),ecstasy (a year on & off) and cocaine (consistently for a year) although SWIM is now calling it a day. Once had great knowledge for a subject and was chasing a career. SWIM would be told or would see something and would instantly learn it. Although now after drug abuse, SWIM will understand something he is told, although may not properly remember it until the 4th of 5th time of understanding it. Basically SWIM's memory is not what it used to be, although SWIM isn't saying he suffers with memory loss, far from it. SWIM can still remember events and such things before drug abuse like they were yesterday. My question is, now SWIM is leaving his rebel days behind, will his memory return to it's original state? If not, how long will it take? Do any of your friends have experience with this or have they ever experienced anything similar?
SWIM says thanks in advance

[samsa]

Swim has had the same problems. After realizing the severity of his memory loss, he decided to cut back from chronic use of any and all substances to drinking on weekends and the occasional joint or roll. Initially, no change was noticed, but around the one year mark things got a lot better. The times he does decide to drink or the such he notices a dip in his memory for the next day or two. Swim is currently taking vitamins/minerals/nootropics in addition to concentration and memory exercises, which he says makes a noticeable difference.

Basically, you just need to give it time.

[anony]

I think concerntration is the main issue, SWIM will understand what he is being told although SWIM's mind is usually on a different planet. SWIM may understand and do what he's been told successfully, but give it a few days or weeks and he'll more than likely have forgotten completely or there'll be an issue in the process somewhere. It just makes the learning process so much longer . I think it's short term memory loss.
Makes SWIM wonder what it looks like to other colleagues, I bet they think SWIM is a retard.

[samsa]

Again, same problem for Swim. I'd give you an anecdote, but it's embarrassing and I don't really have the time at the moment.

[fiveleggedrat]

That's scary. Swim is one of those people who see something once and it's permanent, and Swim learns very quickly. Swim was in the gifted program from a young age.

Swim put off smoking pot because he was afraid of effects on memory. After a solid year+ of use, Swim has seen no negative effects except dependency on drugs.

Swim once thought he ruined his brain from nitrous use; Time was distorted for over 30 minutes; it was terrifying.

A few months sober should help greatly, OP. I believe the brain just gets too used to being high all the time, and that's why sobriety and normal functioning become difficult.