What to Expect with PAWS
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Western ny
Posts: 388
What to Expect with PAWS
I know I can go read about this online, but I'd like to get some first hand accounts from some of you fine people about what PAWS was like for you. I'm 4 months sober today and I have some minor anxiety here and there but I am still continuing to feel better overall with time. Can I expect things to get any worse for a period than they are now? At what point did these symptoms appear for all of you? I'm about to move to Chicago for three months to due an internship which could be stressful so I just want to be prepared.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,126
Well, I don't think I went into full-blown PAWS until I was six months sober. And from the time I got sober until then, I didn't have mild anxiety, but rather full blown panic attacks. I only left my condo to attend AA or NA meetings from the time I was about four months sober. I had severe agoraphobia, paranoia, constant ringing in my ears, loopy, continuous negative thoughts, difficulty concentrating on anything, uncoordinated, my hands shook for nearly a year...
...so if at four months you only have mild anxiety and can judge progress from week to week, I would say you are probably going to be fine.
...so if at four months you only have mild anxiety and can judge progress from week to week, I would say you are probably going to be fine.
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
No matter how you feel when you are going through PAWS, the most important thing to know is that it isn't a sign that your recovery is weak or that a relapse is imminent.
I seem to recall fuzzy thinking, emotional swings, pangs of regret for the years I spent wastefully drinking, and urges to drink over things I thought I had learned to handle, like anger...
Just knowing about PAWS and that it could be expected got me through it. Going to Chicago this early in recovery is going to put some stress on you. Stay vigilent over your sobriety.
I seem to recall fuzzy thinking, emotional swings, pangs of regret for the years I spent wastefully drinking, and urges to drink over things I thought I had learned to handle, like anger...
Just knowing about PAWS and that it could be expected got me through it. Going to Chicago this early in recovery is going to put some stress on you. Stay vigilent over your sobriety.
Living and Loving Life at Last
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: gods own country
Posts: 12,168
On the march class where we are all nearing six months we all started getting different issues, and finally twigged we were all getting PAWS. I had trouble sleeping and was grumpy ( very unlike me!) others were irritable, getting AV bother, depression, a lot of the PAWS symptoms. They come and go, I'm sleeping better but don't leave me near a loaded gun and an queue!!
Whatever the symptoms, anything is better than the hangovers the shame and the guilt
Whatever the symptoms, anything is better than the hangovers the shame and the guilt
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 859
You don't have to get any!
How fantastic you've got 4 months,
More importantly is how to maintain clarity and vision and keeping on improving life is there with you, no bars holding you back.(forgive the pun).
John.
How fantastic you've got 4 months,
More importantly is how to maintain clarity and vision and keeping on improving life is there with you, no bars holding you back.(forgive the pun).
John.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 170
Well done on 4 months sober, you are doing great. PAWs is linked with blood sugar irregularities. Cut out sugar, caffeine, and eat regular protein rich meals and alochol induced depression and anxiety will diminish massively.
Best Wishes
Best Wishes
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