Managing Mental and Emotional Withdrawal Symptoms After Addiction Treatment
Learn to Recognize Mental and Emotional Withdrawal Symptoms
One of the essential components of managing your recovery is that you need to be conscious that you will experience different physical and psychological changes the further you get in recovery. At the same time, you need to recognize that, over time, these changes will become easier to manage as you learn the different tools you need to maintain your sobriety. However, there is always the possibility that certain symptoms associated with withdrawal can pop up any time along the way. Learning to recognize that you are potentially struggling with these mental and emotional withdrawal symptoms is critical in your recovery and managing your long-term sobriety.
What Is Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms?
Post-acute withdrawal symptoms, also commonly referred to as PAWS, is a condition that can manifest seemingly at any point after a person has established their sobriety. While it’s true that withdrawal symptoms usually occur in the first week of sobriety, it’s always possible to experience a similar type of withdrawal symptoms several months or even years after you’ve become sober. When you don’t have the right support system or understanding in place, it’s possible that a person can fall back into the trap of addiction.
Mental and Emotional Withdrawal Symptoms Associated With PAWS
In many ways, if you’re struggling with PAWS, it’s possible that you may feel specific withdrawal symptoms that are similar to the ones that you felt during the first week of your sobriety. Here are some examples of symptoms that are associated with this condition:
- Emotional difficulties
Emotional numbness or overreaction are common trademarks of PAWS. Keep in mind that it will take you some time to learn the normal reactions when it comes to emotions, especially if you have had a long-standing addiction. By continuously speaking with a counselor, you will learn more about these normal reactions so you can clearly identify when you may be suffering from symptoms associated with PAWS.
- Sleep issues
While it’s relatively common for a person to struggle with some sleep issues, if you find this being a continuous pattern, there is a chance that it could be PAWS-related. If your sleep problems are impacting your daily course of life, be sure to mention them to your treatment team so they can try to address them.
- Unclear thinking
It may be difficult for a person with PAWS to focus on the task at hand. Also, it may be hard for them to remember something long-term. An experienced team will teach you that you need to be patient with yourself and the process.
How Long Do Mental and Emotional Withdrawal Symptoms Last After Quitting Alcohol and Drugs?
It’s impossible to predict precisely how long mental and withdrawal symptoms can last. The reality is that the symptoms associated with post-acute withdrawal can appear at any time. You could have a few months or even years of sobriety under your belt, and these symptoms can appear. The best thing that you can do is set yourself up for success so that if these symptoms do come to light, you know exactly how to manage them.
Remember, your recovery and relapse prevention tools are something that will stay with you for the rest of your life, so it’s essential that you focus on learning how to recognize mental and emotional withdrawal symptoms during the course of your treatment.
Whether you’re interested in taking steps to commit to a long-term treatment plan or you would like more information about relapse prevention, the Muse Treatment Center team is here to assist you. We can help you to recognize mental and emotional withdrawal symptoms associated with PAWS so you’re never left in a position where you feel as though your sobriety may be put in jeopardy. To speak to a member of our team today, please give us a call at (800) 426-1818.
Learn how you can manage mental and emotional withdrawal symptoms after addiction treatment! #withdrawalsymptoms #addictiontreatmenthttps://t.co/ufj51ncUcv
— Muse Treatment (@MuseTreatmentLA) September 3, 2021
