| Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome, or PAWS is a | | | | affects the addict is stress. As a result, the recovering |
| group of withdrawal symptoms that arise as a drug | | | | individual needs to understand that the lowering of |
| addict or alcoholic attempts abstinence from their | | | | stress is vital and that specific lifestyle changes need |
| chosen mood altering chemicals. These symptoms | | | | to occur. Healthy habits such as limiting caffeine, getting |
| which can include sleeplessness, unclear thinking and | | | | 8-10 hours of sleep, eating three balanced meals per |
| stress, generally appear 7 to 14 days into abstinence | | | | day and exercising 3+ times weekly will reap great |
| during the stabilization phase. This impairment is | | | | benefits. |
| recognized as PAWS or Post Acute Withdrawal | | | | Additionally, meditation and/or other relaxation |
| Syndrome and can last 6 to 18 months after the | | | | exercises are often recommended by healthcare |
| addicts' last use. | | | | professionals and implemented by Drug and Alcohol |
| While in active addiction the addict/alcoholic | | | | Treatment Centers as part of their scheduled |
| experiences a disruption to normal brain activity which | | | | programs. |
| impairs clear thinking and emotion expression. | | | | Lastly, involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous, which |
| Additionally, short-term memory loss, lack of | | | | means regular meeting attendance and an ongoing |
| coordination, sleep disturbances and stress are all part | | | | relationship with an AA Sponsor, is mandatory for |
| of PAWS and can make the recovery process | | | | several proven reasons: |
| sometimes long and arduous. As a result of continued | | | | 1. The building of a sober support system outside the |
| abuse of drugs and/or alcohol the brain needs to | | | | circle of family and friends. |
| make an adjustment in order to 'right itself' as | | | | 2. The introduction of the 12 Steps of Recovery as set |
| neurotransmitters return to normalcy and acclimate to | | | | down in the AA 'Big Book'. |
| a life without mood altering chemicals. | | | | 3. A relationship with AA Sponsor is one of the |
| Essentially there is 3 major ways that Post Acute | | | | cornerstones of AA and a key component of the |
| Withdrawal Syndrome can impact a recovering | | | | recovery process. |
| person. They are: | | | | 4. Active AA participation will reduce the severity of |
| 1. Cognitive - racing or recycling thoughts with impaired | | | | PAWS. |
| concentration and intention span. | | | | The implementation of the above should go a long |
| 2. Emotional - either an absence or an excess of | | | | way towards restoring the recovering alcoholic/addict |
| emotions with a tendency towards hyper reaction. | | | | to health. |
| 3. Memory - short-term (30 minutes) memory loss is | | | | There is also another school of thought and treatment |
| often the most noted problem. | | | | for opiate dependent PAWS sufferers which was |
| These issues usually affect a person early in recovery | | | | somewhat controversial at one time but has gained |
| so it is imperative that family, friends and colleagues | | | | general acceptance in the recovering community. |
| recognize there presence. Another factor that greatly | | | | |