A
male
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:I'm concerned about any long term damage i may have done to myself after using drugs occasionally over the last few years. I have tried most things once or twice and have probably taken mdma/exsctasy etc about 15 times in 5 years but now usually only 2 or 3 times a year. I tried something called mcat or mkhat (not sure how spelt) after being told it was a very pure mdma drug and can actually be bought legally if it isn't sold for human consumption. Does anyone know anything about this drug? it was a very mild drug that gave an easy relaxed pleasant feeling but wasn't at all intense. The problem is after a couple of hours i started feeling down while everyone was really good so i did more to no avail. I've got a horrible comedown now and feel embarrassed as i talked about my whole life to everyone and all my problems as it felt natural at the time, and then started whining about regretting it as i came down. I wish i hadn't done it and will learn from this.......but could i have caused myself long term damage? i also have started taking citalopram recently as i have been quite unhappy for years (i know that makes me stupid for doing drugs when depressed but i figure to try and live and and experience everything whilst being relatively cautious) but i guess i am naive to the long-term effect. Could i have damaged myself, and could last night have caused a set back in my getting over depression?Many thanks
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female
reader, DrPsych +, writes (21 November 2009):
 Go to your GP. Ask for a referral to the cognitive behavioural therapy service. Taking anti-depressants is a short-term solution to depression and many/ most people with a significant clinical depression will require additional therapy. Do it now while you are young so that you can make the best of your life. Stop worrying about your drug-taking - all drug-use has health risks, but regular use is always a greater risk. You don't sound chemically dependent at this stage but it could escalate into a serious habit if your depression is not properly treated. Drug-use is just avoiding the real issues at the heart of your depression. Seek professional help and your mood will lift up and you can develop some better coping skills for dealing with what has happened to you in the past and the challenges that lie ahead in your life.
A
female
reader, MsFrankie +, writes (21 November 2009):
 Hi there, I'm sure that you're feeling extra bad and extra worried at the moment because of your comedown - you have to remind yourself that you are experiencing a comedown and that everything seems 100 times worse than it is is reality.
I doubt very much that you would have seriously damaged yourself but if you are really worried then I would suggest that you talk to people who know what they're talking about - maybe go to a doctor or give the people at 'talk to Frank' a call on freephone 0800 77 66 00 - the helpline is run by people who are experienced in and knowledgeable about the effects of drugs. Please give them a call.
What you have to remember is that if you are taking recreational drugs at the same time as taking citalopram then you are undoing any of the good work that it is doing. Citalopram and other anti-depressants work by increasing the amount of serotonin in your system - mdma and ecstasy etc - just give you massive hits of serotonin and leave you completely depleted - hence the come down. What's the point of taking antidepressants if you are just going to take other drugs that will make you more depressed?
Prioritise your mental health right now. You will feel a million times better if you give the recreational drugs a miss for a year or so and give the antidepressants a chance to kick in. And talk to Frank as well..
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (21 November 2009): Hi,NOTHING worth in this life to have such a kind of self damage.From the very begining till the end it is BIRTH and DEATH.Life is man's penalty.This means that our agony is much more than our happiness.I don't know the reason that made a young guy like you in this miserable situation,but I know that you don't have enough courage to face your problems.Instead of damaging your both lifes go back to your faith and learn how to face your problems.Nowadays when some one face difficulties he/she forget all about God and turn to drugs,while turning to God brings releaf to your entire life.Look aroung yourself and know that there are many things that WORTH to live for it.NO ONE have more than you have,but please don't tell me about things that are temporary and one can lose them all of the sudden.Man is GOD'S BEST CREATION,your boddy has rights upon you and you have no right to destroy it.Take off depression cause life is too short.
Best wishes.
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A
female
reader, LethalInjection-x +, writes (21 November 2009):
 I don't know many facts about the particular drugs you've mentioned, but they're illegal to take for a reason, they either cause lasting damage, put your health at risk, or both. So I'd be inclined to say yes, you could well have caused yourself some long term damage.
Taking drugs more than a couple of times could have been down to the way you were feeling, but using drugs that aren't meant to be beneficial is not the answer. You probably hear from your friends about what certain drugs do, but as you learned with the situation you described, if you're not feeling yourself to start with, they can affect you in any random way.
Personally, if I was you I'd avoid going out too often with the people you take the illegal drugs with. If you're trying to get over depression, you need to be with supportive people of a stable nature, opposed to those who take drugs. I also strongly advise you refrain from recreational drug taking too.
Depression is a horrible thing, and I wish you all the luck in the world for trying to get over it.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (21 November 2009): I think you need to talk to a professional about your depression and your desire to partake in illegal drugs which naturally could either end up killing you or doing permanent damage to your brain and organs.
The only drug I know about for sure that you mentioned is Ecstasy...Dr. Drew (ever heard of him, he is a TV personality and a licensed physician, psychiatrist and drug rehab guru) says that if you take Ecstasy once that it can lead to life long addiction to other substances, it does permanent brain damage, alters the chemicals in your brain such that you will always struggle with substance abuse. Ecstasy literally eats holes in your brain, you lose actual brain matter. This also happens with aging, you may end up with the brain of an 88 year old man who looses some mental capacity in order to deal with life, to work and be competent.
You really need to get some help and get it now. Contact your nearest mental health facility, hopefully attached to a hospital that have experience in dealing with addiction. You can control this with help...and of course yes, you are harming yourself immensely.
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