Post-acute withdrawal symptoms.
Does anyone else with a reasonable amount of sobriety time, let's say a year or more having trouble feeling any kind of excitement again? What I'm referring to is called anhedonia, it's a baseline of low dopamine in the brain caused by heavy drug use in the past. Heavy poly-substance use sipkes dopamine, and now that you're sober the brain struggling to relive that same feeling.
I know what you mean. I’ve experienced it a couple times throughout the years. I’ve always been a thrill seeker but when I was in it I didn’t want to do anything. Things I normally love like riding motorcycles just weren’t the same. Everything seemed pointless tv, movies, games, socializing, relationships. It’s a horrible state to be in. The way I got out this last time was through trying different antidepressants and when that alone didn’t work I did TMS (trans-magnetic stimulation) and that made a huge difference. Also had psychiatrists suggest ECT. Good luck man, you can get through it, may just take some time
Yes I have a lot of those same type of symptoms I used to love jet skiing a lot gave me like a huge dopamine rush and now it just doesn't cut it for me anymore like many other things
There are ways to naturally recreate some of those same hormones. These increase dopamine (motivation and reward).
A cold shower. Making your bed. Write a short to do list. Finish one small task. Clean a small space.
Natural endorphins (energy and pain relief):
doing a quick workout, laughing out loud, dance to one song, do deep breathing, take a warm shower.
Natural oxytocin (connection and bonding):
Spend time face to face, help someone out, hug someone, pet an animal, give a genuine compliment.
Natural serotonin (mood, calm and stability)
Stretch your body, go for a short walk, sit quietly in nature, practice gratitude, get sunlight (5-10 minutes).
As you practice these and other things could they recreate some level of the chemicals we need to function?
Then just like your workouts in a gym, will they lead to your dopamine and other levels increasing with regular 'mind' work outs?