Is this PAWS?
Is this PAWS?
Well this week marked my 16th week of sobriety. And in wondering if my current state is a result of PAWS. Lately I'm up and down and over all lost my zest! It's not at all like depression which I've had. It's more like a full aching void I feel. I feel helpless angry pist one minute and the next I'm ok! I'm not having super strong cravings either. Before you say...."don't drink...." I'm not going to. I'm not a sneak drinker it would never be fun.
In the reading I've done about PAWS it says it lasts about 2 years! That's a really long time! I can honestly say my life is more joyless sober then not. Don't get me wrong there are defintely more pros then cons. I'm just extremely frustrated with my current state I don't plan to return to drinking, but not satisfied with my sober self.
Any insite would be appreciated thanks
In the reading I've done about PAWS it says it lasts about 2 years! That's a really long time! I can honestly say my life is more joyless sober then not. Don't get me wrong there are defintely more pros then cons. I'm just extremely frustrated with my current state I don't plan to return to drinking, but not satisfied with my sober self.
Any insite would be appreciated thanks
Every Mother's Worst Nightmare
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Deep in the heart of LaLa land
Posts: 688
I think everyone is different in their reaction to PAWS Imperfectly. I've no doubt it is a real live syndrome though.
I'm at nearly seven months and have had an ongoing fight against what can only be described as severe lethargy! This is entirely new to me as even as a hopeless addict I lived to work.
I used to scoff at people when they said they felt "burnt out" but I can actually really relate to that now.
I've turned to a sort of acceptance of the feeling and try to accomplish set tasks through the day. Nothing too exerting so I don't get pissed off at not completing. Im definitely getting better at delegating now and losing some of my control-freakery
I'm at nearly seven months and have had an ongoing fight against what can only be described as severe lethargy! This is entirely new to me as even as a hopeless addict I lived to work.
I used to scoff at people when they said they felt "burnt out" but I can actually really relate to that now.
I've turned to a sort of acceptance of the feeling and try to accomplish set tasks through the day. Nothing too exerting so I don't get pissed off at not completing. Im definitely getting better at delegating now and losing some of my control-freakery
I feel exactly the same imperfectly, just could not put my finger on it. I'm reaching 10 weeks. It don't feel fair when I have made a positive change.
I think I will look into paws, but feeling like this for two years dose seem daunting.
I think I will look into paws, but feeling like this for two years dose seem daunting.
PAWS doesn't necessarily have to last two years. That's just a time frame with two years at the most.
I stopped being bothered by it by one year. Yes, it sounds like PAWS: up one minute, down the next. It will get better the longer you're sober.
I stopped being bothered by it by one year. Yes, it sounds like PAWS: up one minute, down the next. It will get better the longer you're sober.
My experience is like Least's on this one, one year for me too. But I am not sure if it took all that time for me to feel better or whether it was just that's how long it took me to realise that worrying wasn't going to make it better. Things got a lot better for me when I accepted that I was right where I needed to be x
<< over all lost my zest! >>
^this^
<< an ongoing fight against what can only be described as severe lethargy! >>
^this^
<< But I am not sure if it took all that time for me to feel better or whether it was just that's how long it took me to realise that worrying wasn't going to make it better. Things got a lot better for me when I accepted that I was right where I needed to be x >>
^especially THIS^
At 4-1/2 months I feel like I'm finally starting to see some glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel (and hoping it's not the locomotive's headlamp). I think a lot of it is how I look at it -- getting over the frustration and impatience with being unable to function as I think I ought to, and developing the acceptance that wherever I am is where I need to be.
My best guess is that I did quite a number on my brain's pleasure center or dopamine receptors or whatever, and a certain amount of anhedonia (lack of ability to feel ambition, enjoyment, or zest for life) is to be expected.
I also understand the futility of comparing timelines -- it takes however long it takes. I derive some hope in the fact that no one yet has come along to say that it NEVER got better for them.
^this^
<< an ongoing fight against what can only be described as severe lethargy! >>
^this^
<< But I am not sure if it took all that time for me to feel better or whether it was just that's how long it took me to realise that worrying wasn't going to make it better. Things got a lot better for me when I accepted that I was right where I needed to be x >>
^especially THIS^
At 4-1/2 months I feel like I'm finally starting to see some glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel (and hoping it's not the locomotive's headlamp). I think a lot of it is how I look at it -- getting over the frustration and impatience with being unable to function as I think I ought to, and developing the acceptance that wherever I am is where I need to be.
My best guess is that I did quite a number on my brain's pleasure center or dopamine receptors or whatever, and a certain amount of anhedonia (lack of ability to feel ambition, enjoyment, or zest for life) is to be expected.
I also understand the futility of comparing timelines -- it takes however long it takes. I derive some hope in the fact that no one yet has come along to say that it NEVER got better for them.
If anyone hasn't read this I encourage you to - particularly the part towards the bottom about all the stuff we can do to help mitigate the effects of PAWs
PAWS | Digital Dharma
D
PAWS | Digital Dharma
D
Thanks for the link read it all! The last line was the kicker
Recovery is not about quitting alcohol and drugs. It is about learning to live a life that does not require mood-altering chemicals to be worth living.
Recovery is not about quitting alcohol and drugs. It is about learning to live a life that does not require mood-altering chemicals to be worth living.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NE Wisconsin USA
Posts: 6,223
I've read in-depth Gorsk's work with PAWS.
I would not put any timeline on your sobriety, each individual is just that, an individual.
PAWS isn't a bad thing, more like what you might expect.
Tomorrow your view point could be completely different.
I don't have a great understanding about PAWS so I might be way off.
I would not put any timeline on your sobriety, each individual is just that, an individual.
PAWS isn't a bad thing, more like what you might expect.
Tomorrow your view point could be completely different.
I don't have a great understanding about PAWS so I might be way off.
Sounds like paws to me. Just coming off an episode myself. It's a good thing because it means are brains are repairing. If you are at the 120 day you should only have the 6 month the year and the 2 year episode left. That link Dee gave is awesome. Lot's of good advise on there.
Guest
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: The Deep South
Posts: 14,636
I wonder how much of this is clinically tested? I mean, is it at exactly the six month, year, 2 year marks? My symptoms come and go now. Lots of them are clearing up and going away, but they are still there at times. I have just passed the 4 month mark.
I didn't know of it before it happened to me. It came here searching and ending up finding out about it. It was a perfect match for what I was experiencing right down to not being able to keep my car off the shoulder when driving. It came on slowly for a week peaked for a few days faded out for another week. I slipped so I don't even know where I am on that timeline. I think it all depends on how much you drank and how long. Also I think we women are more susceptible to the frontal lobe damage. Those timelines seem to be the consensus.
Guest
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: The Deep South
Posts: 14,636
Yeah, I'm well acquainted with the PAWS symptoms. I've read one of Gorski's books. It helped tremendously. We also discussed it at IOP.
Just odd that it would occur at such precise times, you know?
Just odd that it would occur at such precise times, you know?
so "odd" that it's beyond my capacity to put any stock in. where is this documented?! it makes no sense whatsoever. humans don't run on these kinds of timetables. 4 months 6 months 1 year 2 years?!
i've searched diligently online and haven't found a single reference to these, or any such, milestones. potential ranges of time (e.g. "repairing the damage to our nervous systems usually requires from six months to two years" and "PAWS symptoms reach a peak from three to six months after we get clean"), yes, but not firm marker points like this.
i've searched diligently online and haven't found a single reference to these, or any such, milestones. potential ranges of time (e.g. "repairing the damage to our nervous systems usually requires from six months to two years" and "PAWS symptoms reach a peak from three to six months after we get clean"), yes, but not firm marker points like this.
well I've seen lots of evidence here that many members do seem to have trouble at around the same periods of time...do a thread search on PAWs - the timing is pretty uncanny
you can put stock in that....or not
Maybe it's the expectation and anticipation of a milestone, maybe it's lunar cycles? who knows.
D
you can put stock in that....or not
Maybe it's the expectation and anticipation of a milestone, maybe it's lunar cycles? who knows.
D
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 458
"odd" that it's beyond my capacity to put any stock in"
I'm almost 6 months sober, and I can say at the around the 30,60, 90 day marks not to the day but I did feel more cravings and out of sorts. Is there a scientific paid study to support paws no. But I'll take the experience of other alcoholics that have gotten sober over a scientific study any day.
Parsons and Fein both did scientific studies on the effects of alcohol on the brain. If that helps.
I'm almost 6 months sober, and I can say at the around the 30,60, 90 day marks not to the day but I did feel more cravings and out of sorts. Is there a scientific paid study to support paws no. But I'll take the experience of other alcoholics that have gotten sober over a scientific study any day.
Parsons and Fein both did scientific studies on the effects of alcohol on the brain. If that helps.
Every Mother's Worst Nightmare
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Deep in the heart of LaLa land
Posts: 688
so "odd" that it's beyond my capacity to put any stock in. where is this documented?! it makes no sense whatsoever. humans don't run on these kinds of timetables. 4 months 6 months 1 year 2 years?!
i've searched diligently online and haven't found a single reference to these, or any such, milestones. potential ranges of time (e.g. "repairing the damage to our nervous systems usually requires from six months to two years" and "PAWS symptoms reach a peak from three to six months after we get clean"), yes, but not firm marker points like this.
i've searched diligently online and haven't found a single reference to these, or any such, milestones. potential ranges of time (e.g. "repairing the damage to our nervous systems usually requires from six months to two years" and "PAWS symptoms reach a peak from three to six months after we get clean"), yes, but not firm marker points like this.
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