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What Causes Short Term Memory Loss With The History Of Drug Abuse?
Question: Hi,
My husband is 47 and has had substance abuse issues over the years. He has been in rehab four times since 2008 and in a diversion program for 5 years. He has had two severe brain injuries from falling at work from seizures. Those were in 2008. Now He is employed full time in health care profession. Lately I've noticed he's been having short term memory loss and doesn't seem to "get" simple explanations and forgets tasks just learned. He's embarrassed and doesn't want to ask for help. Friday night I stopped by his work at 5 p.m to say hello and he seemed strangely detached, as if he wasn't hearing or retaining what I was saying. He got off work at 7:00 p.m and never showed up at home. Not at all characteristic. I got a phone call at 2:30 am from a CHP who said my husband was found out of gas 5 hours the opposite direction from our home. He said he was disoriented and didn't know where he was. I'm extremity worried. What could this be? I asked him several times today and he said he was driving around trying to get home. I want him to get an mri.
My husband is 47 and has had substance abuse issues over the years. He has been in rehab four times since 2008 and in a diversion program for 5 years. He has had two severe brain injuries from falling at work from seizures. Those were in 2008. Now He is employed full time in health care profession. Lately I've noticed he's been having short term memory loss and doesn't seem to "get" simple explanations and forgets tasks just learned. He's embarrassed and doesn't want to ask for help. Friday night I stopped by his work at 5 p.m to say hello and he seemed strangely detached, as if he wasn't hearing or retaining what I was saying. He got off work at 7:00 p.m and never showed up at home. Not at all characteristic. I got a phone call at 2:30 am from a CHP who said my husband was found out of gas 5 hours the opposite direction from our home. He said he was disoriented and didn't know where he was. I'm extremity worried. What could this be? I asked him several times today and he said he was driving around trying to get home. I want him to get an mri.
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
This description of your husband's mental state is highly concerning. His confusion could be related to several things. It could be alcoholism-induced dementia, an active seizure disorder, or another serious intracranial neurological problem. He needs to see a neurologist for an in-person exam, a dementia screening test (MMSE or MoCA), an EEG, and head imaging such as a CT or MRI scan. This will give more diagnostic information and hopefully provide us with information to direct treatment.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
This description of your husband's mental state is highly concerning. His confusion could be related to several things. It could be alcoholism-induced dementia, an active seizure disorder, or another serious intracranial neurological problem. He needs to see a neurologist for an in-person exam, a dementia screening test (MMSE or MoCA), an EEG, and head imaging such as a CT or MRI scan. This will give more diagnostic information and hopefully provide us with information to direct treatment.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Thank you. Just wanted to add that he has been receiving the vivatrol shot since 7/2015 for alcohol and opiates and hasn't had alcohol for 7 years. So his recent drugs of choice have been benzodiazepines and fiorcet. Not that that changes your recommendations, but I just thought to provide this extra info.
Yes, he seems to have diminished common sense and no sense of consequences.
Yes, he seems to have diminished common sense and no sense of consequences.
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the extra information. My recommendations do remain the same!
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the extra information. My recommendations do remain the same!
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Deepak
Answered by
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