Post -Acute Withdrawl Syndrome (PAWS)

Post -acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is a collection of symptoms that begin when you stop using alcohol and other drugs. It is a normal part of the healing process of recovery.

These symptoms occur because of your brain chemistry is trying to re-balance itself. As your brain is working towards this new equilibrium a set of uncomfortable and distressing symptoms will occur. You may experience none, some or all of these symptoms:

Inability to think clearly: difficulty concentrating, rigid and repetitive thinking, difficulty grasping abstract ideas

Memory problems: short and long term memory loss, difficulty learning new skills and information

Emotional overreaction or numbness: mood swings, overreaction to small things, feeling emotional numb when you should feel something

Sleep problems: vivid nightmares, drinking or using dream dreams, insomnia or excessive sleeping

Physical coordination problems: dizziness, balance problems, slow reflexes, accident prone

Stress sensitivity: difficulty managing stress, trouble recognizing stressful situation, difficulty telling the difference between high and low stress situations

How long PAWS last depends on the steps that you are taking to change your lifestyle (eating and sleeping), using thoughts, feelings, actions and whatever other key elements of your lifestyle that needs to change.

Please reach out to the counselors at Hartwell counselling to discuss PAWS and other aspect of relapse and recovery. Remember you are not alone and healing starts with a desire within you.