What Are Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS)?
Withdrawal is a two-part process. PWhere physical withdrawal is followed by a psychological withdrawal. Psychological withdrawal is referred to as post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS). Post-acute withdrawal is also accompanied by a few physical symptoms. It is important to go to a substance abuse treatment program after a drug /or alcohol detox to decrease the risk of relapse related to post-acute withdrawal symptoms.
First Part of Withdrawal: Detox
Different substances will produce different withdrawal symptoms. Each substance requires different lengths of time to completely leave the body. A medically supervised detox is suggested for the addict who wants to stop using substances. The physical withdrawal symptoms occur when the substances leave the addict’s body. Alcohol and/or drug detox can be physically strenuous on the body and sometimes deadly. Common withdrawal symptoms are:
- Sweating
- Racing heart
- Palpitations
- Muscle tension
- Tightness in the chest
- Difficulty breathing
- Tremor
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
An addict must learn how to manage post acute withdrawal symptoms without using substances to decrease the risk of relapse after drug and alcohol detox.
A medically monitored detox program will help the addict remain comfortable during the withdrawal process. A quality drug and alcohol detox facility will have a team of doctors and nurses who provide 24-hour supervision addressing the physical symptoms as they arise. Detoxing from substances alone without a follow-up plan of substance abuse treatment puts the addict at risk for relapse.
After an alcohol and drug detox, the addict’s body will be exhausted and post-acute withdrawal symptoms will begin.
Second Part of Withdrawal: Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms
Post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) are just as important to address as the physical detox process. PAWS mimics feelings related to physical detox, however, it is psychological as well as physical. This part of the process comes in episodes that last a few days at a time. PAWS patterns can remain present for up to two years. The feelings associated with these episodes range from good to bad, occurring within the same week or even within a span of a few hours. Physical symptoms that accompany PAWS will vary. Many of these symptoms are the body and brain’s response as they attempt to adjust back to a healthy level of functioning. No physical danger is present with PAWS other than the potential for relapse. Symptoms of PAWS:
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Tiredness
- Variable energy
- Low enthusiasm
- Variable concentration
- Disturbed sleep
The psychological and emotional detox can be more difficult than the physical component of drug and alcohol detox. The addict has grown accustomed to using substances in place of dealing with uncomfortable feelings. These painful feelings put the addict at greater risk for using substances again. Management of symptoms without using substances is the goal of treatment to decrease the risk of relapse.
Quick Tips for Managing PAWS
The cycle of addiction makes it difficult for an addict to change behavioral patterns. Instant gratification, poor sleep habits, and poor diet are a few of the characteristics of an addict’s life. The unhealthy pattern of living needs to change, especially when dealing with post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Some quick tips for managing PAWS are:
- Don’t panic and be patient. The episode will pass.
- Educate yourself on self-care and changing unhealthy patterns such as sleep schedule, diet, exercise, etc.
- Find holistic remedies such as acupuncture, massage, talk therapy, a support group (AA/NA), etc.
- Don’t dwell on symptoms which can make them worse.
- Attend a substance abuse treatment to gain relapse prevention skills to cope with PAWS.
At first, the onset of PAWS can be discouraging for an addict who is attempting to maintain recovery. Understanding that this is a normal phenomenon and accepting the process makes dealing with PAWS bearable. The benefit of attending a substance abuse treatment program is that it gives the addict time to learn how to manage post-acute withdrawal symptoms in a safe environment before returning home.
Substance Abuse Treatment Decreases the Risk of Relapse
Many addicts will complete an alcohol and drug detox program and go home unaware of post-acute withdrawal symptoms. When PAWS occurs, the addict may feel that they have to use substances to fix the uncomfortable feelings. This is an automatic response that the brain produces out of habit from the cycle of addiction.
A substance abuse treatment program provides a safe environment for an addict providing time to adjust to living without using and learn how to manage PAWS. A multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, and therapists in a rehab facility will provide additional support for the addict. A comprehensive addiction treatment program will offer the addict educational lectures, relapse prevention groups, and individual counseling where the addict will learn coping skills for dealing with post-acute withdrawal symptoms and triggers that contribute to continued substance abuse.
