Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome

Everybody is happy with him. His boss pats him on the back regularly, and his wife has stopped nagging him. His kids want him to play catch and take them to the park. Stephen’s parents are ecstatic and consider him the "poster child" for recovering addicts. 

 

But there’s a fly in the ointment: Stephen feels miserable. He’s depressed all the time and can’t seem to find enjoyment in anything he does. His family irritates him. Even simple tasks overwhelm him, and he can’t remember things from one day to the next. He puts on a "happy façade” for his family and friends, but inside he is dying. Stephen feels condemned to a life sentence of being half the person he was before he started using drugs. 

 

Stephen is experiencing Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome.  

 

WHAT IS POST ACUTE WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME?

 

Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) is an adjustment the brain has to make while in the process of returning to life without chemicals. It is the time period when neurotransmitters start acting again. During periods of addiction to drugs, alcohol and/or other substances of abuse there is artificial stimulation and disruption to normal brain function. Your brain gets used to the drug. Altered brain cells and their functioning take 6 through 18 months to return to normal. Symptoms of PAWS can be mild to moderate to severe.

 

SYMPTOMS OF POST ACUTE WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME:

 

·         Difficulty thinking clearly

·         Difficulty managing feelings and emotions

·         Becoming accident prone

·         Difficulty managing stress

·         Becoming forgetful

·         Being unable to relax

·         Difficulty sleeping restfully

 

 SYMPTOMS MAY ALSO INCLUDE:

 

·         Lack of confidence

·         Denial. ("It wasn’t really that bad," or "I can handle it now.")

·         Lack of commitment to a support system

·         Trying to change others before they are ready

·         Defensiveness

·         Self-Pity

·         Compulsive behavior (such as overeating, “shopaholic”)

·         Impulsive behavior. (acting before thinking or sudden outbursts.)

·         Over-reacting or just feeling "numb"

·         Obsessing on a single thought

·         Daydreaming.

 

YOU ARE NORMAL:

 

The most important thing to know about PAWS is that all of the above symptoms are normal and, in fact, should be expected. Though it takes time for the symptoms to go away, there are things you can do to help yourself.

 

 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO FEEL BETTER:

 

·         Keep expectations reasonable to avoid "over-stressing."

·         Attend 12-Step Groups. (AA, NA, etc.)

·         Eat three regular meals a day with "snacking" in between.

·         Take vitamins to help regain lost nutrition.

·         Meditate and learn relaxation techniques.

·         Look for balanced living.

·         Limit work to 40 hours per week.

·         Maintain family relationships.

·         Continue a spiritual connection.

·         Education or new learning. (Mental stimulation.)

·         Break down tasks into "do-able" chunks.

·         Personal time. (Take the dog for a walk, etc.)

·         Make lists, including "daily priorities" or "shopping lists" to remove frustration.

·         Start uncompleted tasks on the following day.

·         Be cautious of "stimulative substances" (caffeine, sugars, etc.) prior to sleep.

·         Take frequent "breaks" during the day, if you can. Don’t skip your breaks at work.

·         Repeat positive affirmations.

·         Journal feelings.

·         Don’t isolate.

·         Call sober friends.

·         See a counselor.

 

So whatever happened to our guy, Stephen?

 

Stephen decided to try some of our suggestions. He started drinking orange juice as soon as he woke up, instead of coffee. He began feeling less irritable. Then he started eating breakfast, and this helped too. At work Steven took his breaks every day and developed the habit out of going for a walk during the first 30 minutes of his lunch hour. He also reconnected with his 12-step group and dropped his facade of "wellness." At his 12-step meetings Stephen opened up about his bad feelings and began making friends. The support of his 12-step group made a big difference in his life.

 

One day during his lunchtime walk, Stephen reflected on how much happier he was. His life was back on track, and even though he thought that it was never going to happen, the PAWS had lifted.

 

Stephen had received a pardon from a life sentence of misery. At last Steven was free.