Learn About Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
Have you struggled with addiction in the past? Do you notice that you sometimes struggle with memory issues or have overly emotional reactions to a particular situation? While it’s true that there could be other contributing factors to these situations, it’s also possible that you could be experiencing symptoms associated with post-acute withdrawal syndrome. This is a fairly common condition among people who have overcome their addiction and established their sobriety.
What Is PAWS?
Many people mistakenly believe that they will only experience withdrawal symptoms during the first few days of their sobriety. The reality is that the first week of your sobriety is when you will experience potentially deadly withdrawal symptoms; it doesn’t mean that experiencing specific withdrawal symptoms is outside the realm of possibility.
PAWS, also known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome, is a condition that can cause a person to feel out of control at times which can have an impact on their sobriety. However, with the right help, you can find ways to navigate through these symptoms so you can continue in your sober journey and lifestyle.
Who Can Get PAWS?
Any person who struggled with addiction is susceptible to develop post-acute withdrawal syndrome. It’s important to remember that symptoms associated with PAWS may not appear during your initial rehab. It’s possible they can develop at any point during the rest of your life. You could have months or years of sobriety and may still experience one or multiple symptoms of PAWS.
How to Know if You Have PAWS
Several symptoms may indicate that you’re suffering from post-acute withdrawal syndrome. Here just a couple of examples of symptoms of PAWS:
Issues with sleep
It’s not uncommon for your sleep schedule to be disrupted in the early stages of your sobriety. However, it’s also possible for PAWS to disrupt your sleep pattern once again. Whether you’re having issues getting to sleep or you’re experiencing unsettling dreams or nightmares, this could be a consequence of PAWS.
Memory issues
Did you know that problems remembering certain things are one of the most common symptoms associated with PAWS? For example, many clients who struggle with PAWS may have difficulties remembering something they were told just 20 minutes ago. Memory problems may be exacerbated during particularly stressful times. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to ensure that a notebook is within close proximity so you can jot down important details that you need to remember.
Irregular emotional reactions
Learning how to feel certain emotions is a critical component of recovery, and it’s not something that you will learn overnight. However, experiencing overly emotional reactions as well as a mix of numbness could be a result of experiencing post-acute withdrawal symptoms. It would help if you continued working on your sobriety by collaborating with addiction professionals and other people working through their recovery program to understand the correct emotional reactions better.
Getting Professional Help to Cope With PAWS
Dealing with the impact of post-acute withdrawal syndrome on your own can be overwhelming and could potentially jeopardize your sobriety. If you believe that you’re experiencing PAWS, don’t wait to reach out to the Muse Treatment Center team for help. We have a unique understanding of this condition and can provide you with the tools you need to work through PAWs. If you need an answer to the question, “what is PAWS?” please reach out to us today at (800) 426-1818 for more information.
Click below to learn about PAWS and how you can prevent it! #paws #withdrawalsyndrome #alcohol https://t.co/RCcJzQXjtp
— Muse Treatment (@MuseTreatmentLA) August 24, 2021
