What You Need to Know About Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
Addiction is a sad reality in modern society, and many people are familiar with the often difficult symptoms of withdrawal when someone detoxes from drugs or alcohol. Fewer people, however, are familiar with post-acute withdrawal syndrome — the usually long-lasting effects people feel when recovering from addiction. This article will explore what post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is, what signs and symptoms to look out for, and how to manage and recover from this challenging aspect of addiction recovery.
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Understanding PAWS
Most people who detox from an addictive substance will experience a short but uncomfortable period of withdrawal symptoms — beginning from a few hours to 1 to 2 days after quitting the substance. Symptoms include nausea, muscle aches, headaches, and increased heart rate. This is known as “acute withdrawal” and is the healing process of the body following addiction and detox. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome refers to a second phase of withdrawal symptoms, which can manifest weeks or months after the initial detox.
Symptoms of post-acute withdrawal syndrome are generally more psychological and emotional than physical. This is because these effects occur as the brain recalibrates and heals chemical imbalances that occur during addiction. Therefore, while post-acute withdrawal syndrome can be uncomfortable, it is a necessary part of the recovery process.
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome is most commonly experienced by people withdrawing from alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or other addictive substances such as prescribed pain medications.
Symptoms of PAWS
Specific symptoms will vary depending on the length and degree of misuse, the type of substance, and the person’s overall health. Symptoms will often appear without warning or from a trigger such as stress, change frequently, and last for periods of up to a few days. Even though post-acute withdrawal syndrome is temporary, these psychological effects can be a key factor in the potential for a person to relapse. Common emotional effects include:
- Irritable or hostile behavior.
- Mood swings.
- Depression and lack of motivation.
- Cravings or intrusive thoughts about using the substance.
- Anxiety or panic attacks.
As well as these psychological symptoms, some physical symptoms may also be experienced, such as:
- Anxiety.
- Fatigue.
- Insomnia.
- Poor memory or brain fog.
- Reduced fine motor coordination.
- Muscle aches.
Duration and Timeline of PAWS
No two PAWS journeys will be the same, and an individual’s experience may vary significantly over time. The duration of post-acute withdrawal syndrome varies widely depending on several factors, but it’s important to note that this is rarely a short-term challenge. While cases usually resolve between 6 months to 2 years after detox, there are also cases where symptoms have persisted much longer. Factors that affect the duration of post-acute withdrawal syndrome include:
- The substance/s involved.
- How long the person was addicted.
- Gender, age, and body type.
- Physical and mental health of the person.
It’s important to note that symptoms of PAWS are usually not linear but will come and go, gradually reducing over time. Learning to manage these symptoms is a key factor in the recovery process, even long after getting through detox from alcohol or drugs.
Managing PAWS
The best way to manage PAWS is to take steps in your general life to reduce symptoms and make coping with them easier. The more you can manage your symptoms, the more likely you will be to avoid relapse. Stress reduction is key, so take steps to manage and decrease stress. Positive lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy, regular exercise, and a good sleep routine, can be greatly beneficial.
Another key factor in your journey is having a caring and available support network to help you. This can include family, close friends, and peer support groups, anyone who will stick with you when things feel challenging and encourage you to keep going even if you feel a strong desire to relapse.
Most importantly, remember that even though post-acute withdrawal syndrome can be a long journey, it won’t last forever!
Treatment Options for PAWS
Seeking professional medical and psychological help is a great way to manage and treat post-acute withdrawal syndrome. Counseling, therapy, and support groups can be vital in helping manage emotional and psychological symptoms and help an individual develop healthy ways to manage them. Seeking medical support can also be important, as in some cases, a doctor can help by prescribing medications to help manage symptoms.
There are also many holistic ways to help manage PAWS, such as practicing yoga and meditation and focusing on improving nutrition. Yoga, meditation, and other similar practices can reduce stress and improve mood. At the same time, a balanced diet with the right amount of vitamins and amino acids can help reduce cravings and support brain health.
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Individualized treatment programs delivered in a comfortable, relaxed setting promote healing in your recovery journey.
The Role of Relapse Prevention in PAWS
As well as managing the symptoms of post-acute withdrawal syndrome, it’s important to develop a relapse prevention plan. This plan should cover managing stress and anxiety and strategies to avoid triggers and high-risk situations that may encourage a relapse. For example, someone recovering from alcohol addiction should consider avoiding bars and parties. Stress can also trigger symptoms, and a large part of a relapse prevention plan should focus on mitigating known stressors. However, not all triggers can be accounted for on day one. So if something in your life triggers the onset of symptoms — such as a place, thing, or person — try to remember this for next time and avoid that specific trigger if possible.
Resurgence Behavioral Health Can Help You or a Loved One
At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we understand how challenging the recovery process can be, both the acute phase and post-acute withdrawal syndrome. That’s why we develop tailored medical detox and recovery plans for everyone who enters our door. We offer medically supervised detox in a safe and comfortable environment, with medication-assisted treatment (MAT) provided to reduce severe withdrawal symptoms and help manage cravings after detox. We also offer a comprehensive inpatient addiction treatment program, with 24-hour care provided in a gorgeous setting and onsite therapy and other treatments available. If inpatient treatment isn’t for you, take advantage of our outpatient program, flexible treatment options designed for people who want to keep working or managing their responsibilities during recovery.
We know recovery can be a long journey, which is why Resurgence Behavioral Health also offers an outstanding aftercare program. We provide tailored ongoing support to help you integrate back into your life and promote a stronger, long-lasting recovery.
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome can be challenging, but with the right tools and support, you can overcome PAWS and build a healthy, addiction-free life. Ready to see how Resurgence Behavioral Health can help? Call 855-458-0050 or contact us online today!
