If you have ever had lapses in your memory while using drugs or alcohol, you may not have thought much of it. But drug-induced amnesia can be harmful to your health, especially over the long term. It is important to know the dangers of this form of memory loss and what you can do to prevent further damage. What is what is drug-induced amnesia exactly?
If you experience amnesia when taking certain drugs, you may need to consider discontinuing your consumption. But if you are dependent on the substance, this can be easier said than done. Promises Right Step is here to help you overcome drug addiction and heal from the harmful effects. Call us at 17135283709 to learn about our comprehensive addiction treatment programs.
What Is Drug-Induced Amnesia?
What is drug-induced amnesia? Drug-induced amnesia occurs when certain drugs interfere with the brain’s ability to form or retrieve memories. Substances that can lead to drug-induced amnesia include:
- Alcohol
- Anesthetics
- Antipsychotics
- Benzodiazepines
- Opioids
Drug-induced amnesia can be temporary or long-lasting, depending on several factors, such as:
- The type of drug involved
- The dosage of the drug
- How sensitive your body is to the drug
Although the duration of drug-induced amnesia can vary greatly, when involving alcohol or benzodiazepines, the effects tend to ease once the drug has cleared your system. Short-acting drugs like these may cause temporary memory loss that lasts for only a few hours or a few days. But long-acting drugs, like certain antipsychotics, can result in amnesia that lasts for weeks or even longer.
It is also important to know that while the acute effects of drug-induced amnesia may wear off fairly quickly, some people may experience residual memory problems or difficulty consolidating new memories for an extended period after discontinuing the drug.
Can Drug-Induced Amnesia Be Harmful?
The impact of drug-induced amnesia on your well-being can vary depending on the circumstances and the extent to which your memory is impaired. While temporary memory loss may not necessarily pose significant harm, it can still disrupt your daily activities, social interactions, and job performance.
In addition, the substances that lead to drug-induced amnesia are associated with other negative consequences like:
- Impaired judgment
- Greater chance of being involved in accidents
- Increased risk of injuries
- Lowered inhibitions
- Higher susceptibility to substance use disorders
Long-term substance use can also pose a threat to your overall health, which can drastically reduce your quality of life if you do not seek the appropriate treatment.
What to Do If You Experience Drug-Induced Amnesia
Short-term drug-induced amnesia may not be especially harmful, but with repeated use, the substances that lead to this type of memory loss can be hazardous to your health. If you have periods of memory loss after using certain drugs or alcohol, but you are unable to cut back on them, your best course of action will be to enroll in an addiction treatment program.
Staff at addiction treatment centers can help you heal from the effects of substance use using a variety of therapeutic modalities, such as:
Behavioral Therapies
Some commonly used behavioral therapies are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy. These therapies can take place as one-on-one counseling or group therapy and aim to address the underlying contributors to substance use.
Therapy can also help uncover destructive thought patterns that lead to substance use and teach you how to restructure your thoughts and cultivate healthier thought patterns.
Medication
Your provider will work to find medications that may be more appropriate for your situation. In some cases, you may have developed a dependence on your medication, so your provider will prescribe specific medications to help ease the withdrawal symptoms when you discontinue it.
Support Groups
Talking with others in similar situations can help remind you that you are not alone. You can learn from what worked for others and share your personal experiences. For many people, long-term attendance at a support group can help sustain their recovery.
Reach Out to Promises Right Step to Heal from Drug Addiction
Seeking professional help is critical if drug-induced amnesia is a concern. Take a proactive step toward recovery by calling Promises Right Step at 17135283709 or reaching out online. Give yourself a chance to overcome substance use and restore your health. Our team of experienced professionals is here to help you find the path to recovery.
