NeuroTalk Support Groups - Stupidly consumed alcohol on 5 occasions during recovery and now very concerned

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- Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome (https://www.neurotalk.org/traumatic-brain-injury-and-post-concussion-syndrome/)

- - Stupidly consumed alcohol on 5 occasions during recovery and now very concerned (https://www.neurotalk.org/traumatic-brain-injury-and-post-concussion-syndrome/221794-stupidly-consumed-alcohol-5-occasions-recovery-concerned.html)

GoldPostal,

I am wondering what symptoms do you currently face day-to-day. With me it's just a scary inability to concentrate and think. But, wondering what your main symptoms are from this alcohol abuse. Like Mark mentioned, just looking to find things to do on a daily basis that keeps me stimulated but short of tiring myself. Since our situations sound somewhat similar, I was just curious how you're doing now, and also what coping activities you've tried that has perhaps worked better than others.

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldPostal (Post 1149160)

Like the title says. I sustained a mild concussion 7 months ago during a HS event and have yet to fully heal. I would say I am certainly better than I was, say, 3-4 months ago, but I still experience symptoms a lot. Mostly heavy fog, but if I use screens to long I still get a pretty bad headache.

Now, I stupidly, stupidly didn't even take a second to consider the affects of alcohol on head injury recovery. I can't believe how dumb I am for not looking into it before I drank any alcohol. And I didn't even just do it once, I've done it 5 times since the injury. Never black out drunk, at least. I was only what you could consider "very drunk" 1-2 of those times.

But now I've been reading all about how alcohol is a HUGE no-no for concussions and I am really scared to tell the truth. I've even read some sources that say alcohol may cause concussions to never heal completely. That scares the hell out of me, I can't imagine living the rest of my life like this.

Is it really that bad? Will the consumption of alcohol 5 times over a 7 month period be enough to permanently detail head injury recovery? It's only my second concussion.

Hi SpaceCadet,

From reading past notes it seems like alcohol also stunted your recovery. Could you please briefly discuss your experience, and how you're doing now. As you may have seen in my other note, its been about 2 months with no improvement at all, and it is freaking me out a lot. Any words of hope or inspiration would be very helpful.

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet (Post 1149393)

Only you will know if alcohol made things worse for you. I've known some people with PCS who have drank with no problems, and others (like me) that it completely destroyed even after one drink.

I personally don't recommend drinking while in recovery. I think minimizing things that will negatively effect your brain is your best bet. You can start by reducing stress and anxiety caused by wondering if you've caused permanent damage. Stress and anxiety are your worst enemy.

If I told you that I doubt you've caused any permanent damage by drinking, will you go out and drink again? ;)

I wouldn't do it...and no, you didn't cause any permanent damage or inhibit your ability to recover.

SpaceCadet does not follow NT anymore. His last post was just a comment about his improvements.