Professional counselors and therapists create personalized treatment plans that address specific PAWS symptoms, helping you develop effective coping mechanisms tailored to your unique situation. This condition can affect your mood, sleep patterns, and cognitive abilities as your brain chemistry gradually returns to normal. Recognizing PAWS as a natural part of healing helps you prepare for these challenges and develop appropriate coping strategies. PAWS refers to the more emotional and psychological symptoms that happen during the second stage of withdrawal. If you used a large amount of opioids for a long period of time, you are more likely to experience PAWS.

• The acute withdrawal stage usually lasts a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the substance and duration of use.
• Even when used as prescribed by a doctor, these drugs can cause withdrawal symptoms.
• Many people experience “brain fog,” including trouble concentrating, memory problems, slow thinking, or difficulty making decisions.
• Understanding its stages, symptoms, and impact can empower you to take proactive steps toward a healthier, more stable recovery process.
• These studies indicate the potential for psychotherapeutic and metacognitive approaches to cravings addressing EI and negative affective states (de Timary et al., 2013; Uva et al., 2010).

Coping Strategies and Self-Care for Individuals with PAWS

The symptoms lasted from 6 months to more than 23 years, with a median of about 6.5 years. For example, if a person tapers off benzodiazepine use, their withdrawal symptoms usually resolve within 6–18 months of the last dose. However, anecdotal reports suggest that some symptoms persist for up to a decade following cessation.

What is PAWS?

Comparing your progress to others’ recovery timelines breeds discouragement and self-doubt. These practical life pressures compound emotional symptoms, creating cycles where stress triggers worse PAWS symptoms, which then generate more stress. The recovering addict’s brain’s capability to deal with stress is compromised due to the brain’s neurotransmitters going into overdrive during early abstinence.

Risk factors

Substance abuse forces the brain to adjust to accommodate changes in the present neurotransmitters. Projections show that the condition affects 75% of recovering alcoholics and psychotropic drug users and 90% of recovering opioid addicts. Read this article to learn everything you need to know about post-acute withdrawal syndrome. If you are seeking drug and alcohol related addiction rehab for yourself or a loved one, the sponsored hotline is a confidential and convenient solution. There are a variety of effective treatments for PAWS and they are most effective when used in combination.

When in active addiction, self-care is often put on the back burner, making self-care vital while in recovery, as recovery is the opposite behavior as active addiction. PAWS can make day-to-day tasks uncomfortable and, if a person is dealing with addiction, lead to relapses during recovery. If you or a loved one are experiencing PAWS, there are treatments to help you manage these symptoms. In addition, much of the literature on PAWS is dated, and there is a shortage of robust, randomized, controlled trials.

Tips on self-managing Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome:

Although the evidence of irreversible effects is less clear for alcohol, subtle lingering cognitive impairment is often undetected and unaddressed (Vik et al., 2004). Engaging in these services can help individuals build a strong support network, develop healthy coping strategies, and address any underlying mental health concerns that may be contributing to their substance use disorder. Recovering from alcohol addiction can be challenging and may involve managing drug addiction complications like post acute withdrawal syndrome, commonly known as PAWS.

• One author (A.B.) wrote the initial draft of the work and managed revision feedback from the other authors.
• It may seem like a long time to wait before you get better, but it will happen.
• If you or a loved one is struggling with PAWS, our rehab center in Pennsylvania is here to help.
• This usually happens in the early days or weeks after you last drank alcohol or took drugs, and involves mostly physical symptoms.

Impact of PAWS on Relapse Risk and Recovery Challenges

This overactivity of the brain’s neurotransmitters affects how the brain communicates and can result in protracted withdrawal symptoms. It is important to keep stress to a minimum during the period of rehabilitation. Eating well, supportive therapy, medication, rest and regular light exercise are all https://www.andreacassino.com/2022/04/member-resources/ very helpful in combating the severity of withdrawal symptoms you experience. PAWS stands for Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome and refers to a cluster of physical and mental health symptoms that can remain, develop, or come and go, well beyond the expected period of recovery.

By informing individuals about the nature of PAWS, along with coping strategies and available support, these efforts can empower those affected to seek help and maintain their sobriety. Understanding the chronic nature of https://ecosober.com/blog/post-acute-withdrawal-syndrome-what-is-paws/ PAWS allows individuals to prepare for potential symptoms and develop effective management strategies, ultimately enhancing long-term recovery outcomes. Stressful situations, multitasking, and social conflicts can act as catalysts for symptom resurgence. Engaging in self-care practices such as maintaining healthy routines, exercising regularly, and establishing a support system can help mitigate these triggers.

He received his master’s degree in adult geriatric primary care nurse practitioner from Walden University and a second postmaster specialty in psychiatry mental health nurse practitioner from Rocky Mountain University. Sean has experience working in various diverse settings, including an outpatient clinic, inpatient detox and rehab, psychiatric emergency, and dual diagnosis programs. His specialty areas include substance abuse, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, ADHD, and OCD.