Post-acute Withdrawal Syndrome-What is it Really?

Post-acute Withdrawal Syndrome,also known as PAWS, is the feeling that some individuals feel after detox. This is an experience that is usually described as wild emotional swings, depression, and numbness. PAWS are said to begin few months or weeks after the end of acute withdrawal, and this can last for six months, one year, or even more.

Symptoms of PAWS include depression, anhedonia, and inability to feel pleasure, suicidal attempts, memory problems, panic attacks, and cognitive impairments. This has become a problem to many individuals especially those in the process of recovery, since this is taken as a signal indicating that something is wrong or they fell off always unless the begin using again.

PAWA results from the brain attempting to restore neurotransmitters’ proper balance. Due to prolonged use, certain neurotransmitters or their receptors are reduced gradually or increased occasionally. This is to compensate for the drug’s actions.

If a drug’s dose will be increased continuously due to tolerance, the more the balance of your transmitters will be changed. If you stop using, your brain takes some time to continue producing the proper level of neurotransmitter. It is for this reason that some individuals are experiencing wild and unstable mood swings. Their brains try to get the right mix for a more stable mood.

Other individuals are dopamine deficient that causes a longer period of emotional numbness and depression as their brain increases dopamine production gradually. The manner that you experience PAWS depends on the specific drugs you stop using. PAWS is commonly associated with barbiturates, alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines.

Prolonged use of benzodiazepines and alcohol reduce inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA level, which is known to cause agitation and insomnia. These are factors that make individuals feel more stressed and engage in impulsive actions, which also present issues in recovery.

Individuals recovering from more extended addiction frequently feel pain since they have been used to not feeling any pain when using. If you wanted to ensure that quitting certain drugs like benzodiazepines and alcohol is safer, you could consider tapering down these drugs. However, it does not appear to reduce PAWS symptoms.

It is highly imperative to know more about PAWS and learn what to expect. It pays to also learn about the different rehab stories to learn more helpful and relevant insights. It is also crucial to manage triggers and minimize stress as well, considering the fact that you’ll be more sensitive to anxiety and cravings.

It helps a lot of you take time to talk to your therapist or doctor regarding your symptoms. They will prescribe some anti-depressants to manage the symptoms, at least. Though this condition commonly vanishes eventually, it would be better not to wait this out on your own.

Whatever condition or feeling you are battling with, be it drug addiction, alcohol addiction, or more, realize that respected and established drug and alcohol rehab centers that you can turn to when needed. These rehab and recovery centers accommodate and help patients fully recover through personalized and intensive treatments.