By Menara21 The brain requires more time to heal from extensive damage caused by prolonged substance exposure. It may seem like you’re on a rollercoaster when you stop using substances. Withdrawal can lead to physical Oxford House discomfort as well as life-threatening health conditions. But remember, you were strong before your addiction and can triumph in your recovery. PAWS can make recovery feel exhausting, but you don’t have to go through it alone. QuickMD provides expert addiction care to help you manage lingering withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and support your long-term recovery.
How Common Is PAWS Among People Recovering From Addiction?
It may suggest tools and resources that offer information, treatment services, self-help (or “DIY”) tools, and/or ways to connect with others. For any and all suggestions, comments, or questions, please contact Mental Health America. The duration of PAWS varies from person to person, depending on factors like how long opioids were used, individual brain chemistry, and overall health. Acute withdrawal is the first phase of withdrawal, occurring in the first few days to two weeks after quitting opioids. This phase is primarily physical, as the body reacts to the absence of opioids. Many people assume that once they get through the initial withdrawal phase, they’ll start feeling better.
Support
Navigating the path to recovery is a courageous journey, often fraught with unexpected challenges. Understanding PAWS and its effects is crucial for you or your loved one to manage and overcome this phase effectively. Perhaps most importantly, understanding that PAWS is a normal and expected part of recovery helps individuals approach this phase with patience and self-compassion rather than fear and frustration.
- Making recommended adjustments to one’s diet and including supplements can assist in replenishing vital nutrients that might have been depleted during substance use.
- This involves regular medication being administered by a detox nurse, who will oversee the entire process to ensure your comfort and safety.
- The first step to recovery is being diagnosed by a doctor and receiving medical treatment as needed.
- Cravings can strike at any time, without warning, and can be extremely difficult to overcome.
- It can be a relief to get to the other side, but for some people, withdrawal symptoms can continue past this stage.
- Overall, heavy, chronic substance abuse predicts more severe, persistent PAWS symptoms.
The role of professional treatment in managing PAWS
It can last for months or even up to 1–2 years as the brain slowly recovers from substance use, and symptoms may come and go, sometimes triggering relapse. While PAWS presents ongoing challenges for those recovering from substance dependence, awareness, appropriate management, and support can significantly improve outcomes. Recognizing that symptoms may fluctuate and persist underscores the importance of patience and continuous post-acute withdrawal syndrome care. Advances in understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of PAWS and the development of targeted therapies hold promise for better management in the future. With proper resources, integrated treatment approaches, and resilient support networks, individuals can effectively navigate this recovery phase and move toward a healthier, sustainable sober life.
If you don’t know what’s happening, it can feel like you’re stuck in limbo, unsure if recovery will ever feel easier. Understanding the concept of protracted withdrawal can be crucial for individuals experiencing the lingering effects of substance use cessation. It helps in recognizing what is happening in the body and mind during recovery. Recognizing the symptoms and understanding the duration of PAWS can encourage better coping strategies. For assistance in managing specific symptoms such as anxiety or insomnia, refer to our articles on managing anxiety during paws and coping with insomnia due to paws.
Practice Mindfulness and Stress Management
Different substances affect brain chemistry in various ways, leading to different recovery timelines. For example, substances that heavily impact dopamine production, such as opioids and stimulants, may result in longer-lasting mood and motivation-related symptoms. As you make progress in your recovery, the occurrence of symptoms will be less and less as long as there is continued abstinence.
Defining Withdrawal
These shifts may contribute to the challenges faced during PAWS, as the brain seeks to regain equilibrium. These symptoms stem from the brain’s struggle to restore dopamine balance following the intense stimulation that occurs during drug abuse. Overcoming addiction is a long-term process that goes well beyond the initial detoxification stage. While PAWS can be challenging and unpredictable, understanding it is an important step in maintaining long-term recovery. With professional support, healthy coping strategies, and patience, many people find their symptoms gradually improve. Acute withdrawal occurs within hours to days of stopping drug or alcohol use.