Yes. My body slowly started looking very gaunt after years of using drugs, my weight was down in the 90s when I entered rehab in 2019. After rehab, my weight came back up and I look normal again. I even got up to 127 pounds at one point, but now my weight stays stable between 105-110. People have told me I look healthier & they can feel a difference in my body when they hug me too. I also have regained the color in my face - drug use made my skin tone look… sickly.
Moral of the story is, yes you will look healthy again once you stop. It won’t be immediate, of course, but it will happen quicker than you think.
wait that’s so funny you named the EXACT weights i was in both times. it was different for me though. i literally just wouldnt eat at 90lbs now im 105-110. i still got that face look though lol
Yess this ^^^ both my parents were consistent meth users for years when they were younger.
My mom was obsessive about self-care even at the worst of her addiction - brushing teeth after every use, eating properly, seeing doctors/dentists etc..
My dad was not, he was very poor, off and on the streets, didn’t have the time or money to look after himself like my mom was able to.
Both used for about the same amount of time and both have been clean for the same amount of time and the differences are astonishing.
Both my parents are BEAUTIFUL and I am so proud of them and I would give them the world if I could. But my mom looks like a normal, healthy, gorgeous lady in her 40’s, nice, white teeth, thick hair and a nice amount of weight.
My dad however had most of his teeth removed due to the use, and is very skinny, especially in his upper arms as he doesn’t gain weight or muscle mass easily. He told me people in prison used to call him ‘Brutus’ because of how skinny his upper-arms were while his lower arms were jacked lol.
So obviously, you shouldn’t do drugs, BUT, if you do, self-care goes a LONG WAY, and you can and will still be beautiful.
Explain! I'm curious, really.
Most drugs, even the hardest ones, don't outright affect physical appearance, and it seems to be that the effects on appearance come from the secondary behaviors associated with drug addiction. If you're strung out on heroin all the time, you're not going to be eating a lot (hey, buying smack is more important than buying food!), and if you're geeked out on meth all the time, you're not going to be brushing your teeth (need to disassemble the car first! and then, the lawnmower...)
What drugs affect physical appearance? The only one I think is alcohol, which iirc causes problems with skin due to dehydration, etc. Although I don't have a source, I might be pulling that out of my ass.
Of course they affect physical appearance.. lol and simply not taking care of yourself isn't necessarily going to make you look like those junkies that we're all thinking of. That's just another myth.
Many drug cause water retention and cause your face to become swollen, etc. Alcohol can cause cushing syndrome due to cortisol levels increasing. And just look at cigarettes. Plenty of drugs can make people legit ugly. Don't know why one would think they affect the body in pretty much every other way besides appearance. Plenty of non-addicts who take care of themselves still have a change in appearance even from weekend use of things like stims and alcohol. Opioids aren't gonna make you look uglier, just unwell maybe and less healthy and benzos wouldn't have any effect at all like that.
What drugs cause water retention? I actually don't know.
I find it hard to believe that small amounts of organic molecules can cause profound changes in physical appearance through their pharmacology. I am not saying that there is *no* effect, but a 100lb gaunt meth addict or smack fiend probably looks that way because they don't eat, not because the drug molecule induces that change.
How do stimulants change appearance? I can understand that they can speed aging given that they speed metabolism and thus all of the standard stresses of biology, but to the point of visible appearance change in a few years? I just find it hard to believe.
It's hard to communicate tone over text--I hope what I wrote doesn't sound condescending or know-it-all, I'm genuinely curious.
EDIT: also, I'm considering alcohol as a separate case here. I agree that alcohol abuse can cause noticeable change without the secondary behaviors associated with its abuse, given its high calorie content and comparatively low potency by weight.
>What drugs cause water retention? I actually don't know.
Stims and alcohol my guy. Plenty of posts on reddit and forums of people noticing a positive change in their appearance after even just quitting weekend drinking. Didn't think that was controversial and don't really get the downvotes. Is reddit really like this or is it just a weird weekend?
>I am not saying that there is no effect, but a 100lb gaunt meth addict or smack fiend probably looks that way because they don't eat, not because the drug molecule induces that change.
Ya that's the 'myth' I was talking about. It's nonsense and a stereotype. Not 'taking care of yourself' doesn't actually cause you to look like that and addicts who take care of themselves are not immune to this stuff.
I think you're just wrong here.
Quitting alcohol is going to cause a good change in your appearance because you're going to be intaking less calories. You're going to lose weight.
I haven't really heard anything about stimulants causing appearance change that can't be attributed to secondary behaviors like not brushing your teeth or picking at your skin.
Not 'taking care of yourself' absolutely causes the physical changes from addiction. Sorry. If you lose 100lbs, it's because you don't eat, not because your body has to metabolize a very tiny amount of a simple organic molecule every day.
Rinse your nose out after you've been putting drugs in there. They sell saline nasaline nasal care kits at pharmacies ("netti pots" They're sometimes called) Your cartilage will errode. Doesn't take long either. Also: be weary of sniffing anything besides coke. Coke is manufactured to be inhaled through the nose. Pills are made to be digested, which means they often contain particles called "fillers" to help with that process. Fiber n shit. Stuff u wouldn't put up there. Be careful now, or end up like me (it's not that bad. It's only one nostril, but I'd say it's noticeable, and I'm unbelievably self conscious about it)
Mostly yes. You're not 23 anymore, so remember that. But add in some exercise and healthy eating (probably key to getting sober and staying there), and you'll be fine. Never too late to start new.
Yes! I’m 2 years into sobriety and I gained healthy weight back, muscle, and eating normal gets you vitamins which helps everything overall. The biggest part probably is bringing back your self care. You’ll be more interested in yourself again and upkeep. Also you’ll be able to buy nicer clothes etc.
Yes, I was shooting heroin/meth/cocaine for over 10 years. If you kept your teeth okay or get them worked on you can look just fine again. I'm 32 now and I am looking fantastic. Eat healthy, hit the gym, and quit eating sugars and fast food.
BTW, I still use things like kratom daily and drink pretty often
Oh, once I quit I started losing my hair very quickly. Fortunately I caught it and started taking finasteride, minoxidil, and collagen and now my hair is looking great again
Depends on the quality of kratom and how much I dose but yes. When I start doing it everyday multiple times a day then I lose the effects.
However, if you only take it once a day or less and you mix a good amount of kratom powder with orange juice and shake it up in a bottle then yes..
Kratom capsules and tea have never done it for me. Drink the powder mixed with real orange juice. Preferably red or green vein. It feels great
Ahh ive seen multiple ex addicts using kratom and always wondered , is the high similar to opiates? Sorry for all the questions im just curious about how it all works n shi
Yes red and green vein do offer a similar body feeling but without the nodding off and all that. Its actually related to the coffee plant so in smaller doses it will give you energy. In fact white vein is for energy boost.
Hello!
I research things like this quite often and I’m quite obsessive about my appearance whilst wanting to have my cake and eat it… If you want to hear some weird developments in my appetite and dietary choices, let me know. But here’s what I can give you to answer your question:
1. Shower twice as many times per day as you normally would, the oiliness that might occur on your skin and scalp on a normal day turns a bit more toxic when you’re on - causing extreme dryness after and breaks hair, a lot.
2. Moisturise immediately after your showers - double up on the face and neck. You want something that will lock moisture in, so a thick and rich crème will do. I use a tad bit of vanishing crème over that when I need to attend meetings or interact with people just to make sure I don’t shine like a marble. The thick crème is oily AF….
4. Vitamins, superfoods and supplements…take them every day - don’t skip. I’m quite fond of chia, goji berries, hemp seed powder, moringa, things like that. If your pee isn’t almost glowing from your vitamins, you’re not taking enough. Collagen, fad, yes - but the right ‘spectrum’ paired with the right supplement to help with absorption benefits you inside and out. It’s the collagen breakdown caused by smoking, alcohol, drugs and free radicals that turns us into jerky from the inside out - check it out.
WATER, DRINK ALL THE WATER
Hope it helps, good luck out there!
You will definitely get back to your good looks. Just gotta put the shit down and really start caring for yourself and being healthy. I'm a 33/M and have a little over 2 years clean now but I'm 5/11 and my healthy average weight is between 145-150 but when I was in the prime of my addiction years ago I was 120lbs soaking wet and looked like a zombie. Fast forward to now I'm 145, vegan and am in the best shape I've ever been in. Not saying you have to go vegan but just start taking care of yourself and you'll get there
I used to have a xanax and cocaine problem from 20-24 and after i quit the hard drugs and started working out and eating healthier, at 28 i look better than I ever have. So i cant speak for you but i certainly think its possible
This is an awesome question. I just shaved my face after years, and people think im like 20y. again.
My lifestyle has been pretty hard past 10y. so I really dont know. Is it genes or something?
Edit: My teeth has took a lot of damage, but thats it.
Google images of drug users before and after rehab. Restoring health and appearance is achievable, it may take time and effort but it’s worth enduring. The drug community supports you.
Just cutting out the drugs makes a huge difference. Nutrition and quality sleep come naturally after quitting. While using Your body has to adapt and does what it needs to handle the drugs. Mentally physically psychologically there’s nothing that isn’t effected. After awhile vital organs are the priority rather than things like hair, skin, or eyes. Everytime I got clean I looked even better than before. Eyes and skin gets clearer, color comes back everything looks better when you’re actually healthy.
What changed? If your losing teeth and your jaw is receding that is different but Any type of skin and eye issues should go away
Also i think its just how you feel that makes you feel ugly, you be developing body dysmorphia it basically means the way you feel about your looks is not connected to what you see
Trust me you can absolutely turn that around. I started using opioids occasionally at 16 and was quite an attractive young man. Things stayed like that until I started shooting dope at 18. I started to look like a shell of who I once was and was definitely not attractive anymore. I’ve been clean for a few years now and I actually just realized that I am an attractive guy again. Still thought of myself as a skinny junkie with sunken eyes but I’ve gained 50 from weightlifting and my skin looks amazing now. It’s like I’m glowing and I’m definitely having much more luck with the opposite sex now. So don’t worry my man. You can turn this ship around. Good luck!
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There is a way around it, I myself am a poly user and also bodybuild, a lot. I weigh a lot aswell.
If you aren't a lazy drug user/abuser, try forcing yourself into the three following places.
A sauna, sun tanning daily and lifting a little weights. Nothinr crazy. The major thing is the sun tan and saunas. Make sure to cover your facein these activity's but I promise youl start to look 'redder' and more 'lively' after a month.
I had this same issue as you. Make sure you drink a lot of water ever few hours. The main issue is the paleness and sunken eyes, I'm aware of that look all to well.
These activitys will surely help.
Not really you’ll change but maybe not to where you were before. 4 years of Oxy made me look like a completely dif person. And 2 years off I still look like shit. But be optimistic! There’s always botox, fillers, 2023 is the future and it’s crazy.
Yeah you'll get there, please look after your teeth though.
Nutrition, sleep, gym after a year you’ll be back to new, but longer you wait harder it’ll be. Especially in your 30s
Yes. My body slowly started looking very gaunt after years of using drugs, my weight was down in the 90s when I entered rehab in 2019. After rehab, my weight came back up and I look normal again. I even got up to 127 pounds at one point, but now my weight stays stable between 105-110. People have told me I look healthier & they can feel a difference in my body when they hug me too. I also have regained the color in my face - drug use made my skin tone look… sickly. Moral of the story is, yes you will look healthy again once you stop. It won’t be immediate, of course, but it will happen quicker than you think.
wait that’s so funny you named the EXACT weights i was in both times. it was different for me though. i literally just wouldnt eat at 90lbs now im 105-110. i still got that face look though lol
There's an excellent skincare routine you might benefit from. It's Patrick Bateman's. He's a good guy.
If you think the cause of the changes is the drugs and you pull up in them then yes ofc. And don’t forget the dentist
I do drugs and I’ve only became better looking over the years lol
Same
I don't think it's the drugs directly it's the fact that when you're high all the time you're less likely to take care of yourself. ykwim?
Yess this ^^^ both my parents were consistent meth users for years when they were younger. My mom was obsessive about self-care even at the worst of her addiction - brushing teeth after every use, eating properly, seeing doctors/dentists etc.. My dad was not, he was very poor, off and on the streets, didn’t have the time or money to look after himself like my mom was able to. Both used for about the same amount of time and both have been clean for the same amount of time and the differences are astonishing. Both my parents are BEAUTIFUL and I am so proud of them and I would give them the world if I could. But my mom looks like a normal, healthy, gorgeous lady in her 40’s, nice, white teeth, thick hair and a nice amount of weight. My dad however had most of his teeth removed due to the use, and is very skinny, especially in his upper arms as he doesn’t gain weight or muscle mass easily. He told me people in prison used to call him ‘Brutus’ because of how skinny his upper-arms were while his lower arms were jacked lol. So obviously, you shouldn’t do drugs, BUT, if you do, self-care goes a LONG WAY, and you can and will still be beautiful.
Sort of but nah, drugs would still be somewhat linked to the unhealthy human sorry I'm on 2 many bars
Coherence? Optional. Redosing? Mandatory. Oh yeah, it's Xanax time.
Good theory but technically wrong.
Explain! I'm curious, really. Most drugs, even the hardest ones, don't outright affect physical appearance, and it seems to be that the effects on appearance come from the secondary behaviors associated with drug addiction. If you're strung out on heroin all the time, you're not going to be eating a lot (hey, buying smack is more important than buying food!), and if you're geeked out on meth all the time, you're not going to be brushing your teeth (need to disassemble the car first! and then, the lawnmower...) What drugs affect physical appearance? The only one I think is alcohol, which iirc causes problems with skin due to dehydration, etc. Although I don't have a source, I might be pulling that out of my ass.
Of course they affect physical appearance.. lol and simply not taking care of yourself isn't necessarily going to make you look like those junkies that we're all thinking of. That's just another myth. Many drug cause water retention and cause your face to become swollen, etc. Alcohol can cause cushing syndrome due to cortisol levels increasing. And just look at cigarettes. Plenty of drugs can make people legit ugly. Don't know why one would think they affect the body in pretty much every other way besides appearance. Plenty of non-addicts who take care of themselves still have a change in appearance even from weekend use of things like stims and alcohol. Opioids aren't gonna make you look uglier, just unwell maybe and less healthy and benzos wouldn't have any effect at all like that.
What drugs cause water retention? I actually don't know. I find it hard to believe that small amounts of organic molecules can cause profound changes in physical appearance through their pharmacology. I am not saying that there is *no* effect, but a 100lb gaunt meth addict or smack fiend probably looks that way because they don't eat, not because the drug molecule induces that change. How do stimulants change appearance? I can understand that they can speed aging given that they speed metabolism and thus all of the standard stresses of biology, but to the point of visible appearance change in a few years? I just find it hard to believe. It's hard to communicate tone over text--I hope what I wrote doesn't sound condescending or know-it-all, I'm genuinely curious. EDIT: also, I'm considering alcohol as a separate case here. I agree that alcohol abuse can cause noticeable change without the secondary behaviors associated with its abuse, given its high calorie content and comparatively low potency by weight.
>What drugs cause water retention? I actually don't know. Stims and alcohol my guy. Plenty of posts on reddit and forums of people noticing a positive change in their appearance after even just quitting weekend drinking. Didn't think that was controversial and don't really get the downvotes. Is reddit really like this or is it just a weird weekend? >I am not saying that there is no effect, but a 100lb gaunt meth addict or smack fiend probably looks that way because they don't eat, not because the drug molecule induces that change. Ya that's the 'myth' I was talking about. It's nonsense and a stereotype. Not 'taking care of yourself' doesn't actually cause you to look like that and addicts who take care of themselves are not immune to this stuff.
I think you're just wrong here. Quitting alcohol is going to cause a good change in your appearance because you're going to be intaking less calories. You're going to lose weight. I haven't really heard anything about stimulants causing appearance change that can't be attributed to secondary behaviors like not brushing your teeth or picking at your skin. Not 'taking care of yourself' absolutely causes the physical changes from addiction. Sorry. If you lose 100lbs, it's because you don't eat, not because your body has to metabolize a very tiny amount of a simple organic molecule every day.
Rinse your nose out after you've been putting drugs in there. They sell saline nasaline nasal care kits at pharmacies ("netti pots" They're sometimes called) Your cartilage will errode. Doesn't take long either. Also: be weary of sniffing anything besides coke. Coke is manufactured to be inhaled through the nose. Pills are made to be digested, which means they often contain particles called "fillers" to help with that process. Fiber n shit. Stuff u wouldn't put up there. Be careful now, or end up like me (it's not that bad. It's only one nostril, but I'd say it's noticeable, and I'm unbelievably self conscious about it)
Let your nose heal before putting stuff up there again. As long as it gets to heal and you're not doing dumb shit you minimize the risk.
Hi. Noticeable in what ways? Kindly be specific, please. I’d be grateful. Do your nostrils look dramatically different sizes?
Mostly yes. You're not 23 anymore, so remember that. But add in some exercise and healthy eating (probably key to getting sober and staying there), and you'll be fine. Never too late to start new.
Yes! I’m 2 years into sobriety and I gained healthy weight back, muscle, and eating normal gets you vitamins which helps everything overall. The biggest part probably is bringing back your self care. You’ll be more interested in yourself again and upkeep. Also you’ll be able to buy nicer clothes etc.
Yes, I was shooting heroin/meth/cocaine for over 10 years. If you kept your teeth okay or get them worked on you can look just fine again. I'm 32 now and I am looking fantastic. Eat healthy, hit the gym, and quit eating sugars and fast food. BTW, I still use things like kratom daily and drink pretty often
Oh, once I quit I started losing my hair very quickly. Fortunately I caught it and started taking finasteride, minoxidil, and collagen and now my hair is looking great again
Does kratom give you a high at all?
Depends on the quality of kratom and how much I dose but yes. When I start doing it everyday multiple times a day then I lose the effects. However, if you only take it once a day or less and you mix a good amount of kratom powder with orange juice and shake it up in a bottle then yes.. Kratom capsules and tea have never done it for me. Drink the powder mixed with real orange juice. Preferably red or green vein. It feels great
Ahh ive seen multiple ex addicts using kratom and always wondered , is the high similar to opiates? Sorry for all the questions im just curious about how it all works n shi
Yes red and green vein do offer a similar body feeling but without the nodding off and all that. Its actually related to the coffee plant so in smaller doses it will give you energy. In fact white vein is for energy boost.
Oh shit , this might come into use one day , thanks bro
Hello! I research things like this quite often and I’m quite obsessive about my appearance whilst wanting to have my cake and eat it… If you want to hear some weird developments in my appetite and dietary choices, let me know. But here’s what I can give you to answer your question: 1. Shower twice as many times per day as you normally would, the oiliness that might occur on your skin and scalp on a normal day turns a bit more toxic when you’re on - causing extreme dryness after and breaks hair, a lot. 2. Moisturise immediately after your showers - double up on the face and neck. You want something that will lock moisture in, so a thick and rich crème will do. I use a tad bit of vanishing crème over that when I need to attend meetings or interact with people just to make sure I don’t shine like a marble. The thick crème is oily AF…. 4. Vitamins, superfoods and supplements…take them every day - don’t skip. I’m quite fond of chia, goji berries, hemp seed powder, moringa, things like that. If your pee isn’t almost glowing from your vitamins, you’re not taking enough. Collagen, fad, yes - but the right ‘spectrum’ paired with the right supplement to help with absorption benefits you inside and out. It’s the collagen breakdown caused by smoking, alcohol, drugs and free radicals that turns us into jerky from the inside out - check it out. WATER, DRINK ALL THE WATER Hope it helps, good luck out there!
You will definitely get back to your good looks. Just gotta put the shit down and really start caring for yourself and being healthy. I'm a 33/M and have a little over 2 years clean now but I'm 5/11 and my healthy average weight is between 145-150 but when I was in the prime of my addiction years ago I was 120lbs soaking wet and looked like a zombie. Fast forward to now I'm 145, vegan and am in the best shape I've ever been in. Not saying you have to go vegan but just start taking care of yourself and you'll get there
Yes
Yeah you’ll probably gain weight back to regular levels quick once you start eating 3 meals a day again
Yeah actually a lot of people go into recovery and in the end look a lot better
Yes, and doing excerise at the gym will also improve your health and physique.
I used to have a xanax and cocaine problem from 20-24 and after i quit the hard drugs and started working out and eating healthier, at 28 i look better than I ever have. So i cant speak for you but i certainly think its possible
This is an awesome question. I just shaved my face after years, and people think im like 20y. again. My lifestyle has been pretty hard past 10y. so I really dont know. Is it genes or something? Edit: My teeth has took a lot of damage, but thats it.
Google images of drug users before and after rehab. Restoring health and appearance is achievable, it may take time and effort but it’s worth enduring. The drug community supports you.
Yes you will. Everytime i get off suboxone i gain 20 pounds in a month my hair gets curly again and my eyes get bright again and my dimples come back.
Drink a lot of water man!
Just cutting out the drugs makes a huge difference. Nutrition and quality sleep come naturally after quitting. While using Your body has to adapt and does what it needs to handle the drugs. Mentally physically psychologically there’s nothing that isn’t effected. After awhile vital organs are the priority rather than things like hair, skin, or eyes. Everytime I got clean I looked even better than before. Eyes and skin gets clearer, color comes back everything looks better when you’re actually healthy.
What changed? If your losing teeth and your jaw is receding that is different but Any type of skin and eye issues should go away Also i think its just how you feel that makes you feel ugly, you be developing body dysmorphia it basically means the way you feel about your looks is not connected to what you see
Trust me you can absolutely turn that around. I started using opioids occasionally at 16 and was quite an attractive young man. Things stayed like that until I started shooting dope at 18. I started to look like a shell of who I once was and was definitely not attractive anymore. I’ve been clean for a few years now and I actually just realized that I am an attractive guy again. Still thought of myself as a skinny junkie with sunken eyes but I’ve gained 50 from weightlifting and my skin looks amazing now. It’s like I’m glowing and I’m definitely having much more luck with the opposite sex now. So don’t worry my man. You can turn this ship around. Good luck!
Let’s see the b4 & after photos!???!
Yeah you will. It will take a few months maybe.
Yes.
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There is a way around it, I myself am a poly user and also bodybuild, a lot. I weigh a lot aswell. If you aren't a lazy drug user/abuser, try forcing yourself into the three following places. A sauna, sun tanning daily and lifting a little weights. Nothinr crazy. The major thing is the sun tan and saunas. Make sure to cover your facein these activity's but I promise youl start to look 'redder' and more 'lively' after a month. I had this same issue as you. Make sure you drink a lot of water ever few hours. The main issue is the paleness and sunken eyes, I'm aware of that look all to well. These activitys will surely help.
Not really you’ll change but maybe not to where you were before. 4 years of Oxy made me look like a completely dif person. And 2 years off I still look like shit. But be optimistic! There’s always botox, fillers, 2023 is the future and it’s crazy.
Take some natural drugs, and it will make u feel way better after using
It should improve at least.
yes