mystified

Can anyone furnish me with a link to paws info please?

I'm currently browsing the SR articles and Google (not sure thats wise but it's all I have) but I'd appreciate links (or experiences if you're willing to share) from people who know what it's really like.

Thanks so much.

Dee74

This is the best link I know.
PAWS | Digital Dharma


For what it's worth not every one experiences PAWs, and it doesn't really kick in for those that do until after 30 days.

I had a few bad days here and there with trouble focusing and confusion, and out of character behaviour, but nothing prolonged

D

mystified

Forewarned is forearmed.

Thank you dee.

As an aside: do you ever sleep? ;-)

awuh1

It's my belief that PAW's can begin as soon as the acute withdrawal period ends. This varies from individual to individual and also with the type of detox. I have seen it in individuals with only a week of sobriety (or even slightly less) and just exiting detox.

PAWs effects can also range from subtitle to debilitating depending on the individual. Personally I have not seen it go on longer than 18 months, but I have heard of this.

Dee74

I do but not at 3.45 in the afternoon LOL

D

mystified

Lol. Don't believe you!

Ninjaturtle

I think If I focus on paws I'll start imagining symptoms and throwing a pity party for myself. I feel a world better than I did a week ago. I'm sure I'll feel even better down the line. I was a wreck before I started drinking anyway. Here's to brighter times

Andante

I agree with this description. I've always thought of PAWS is simply any withdrawal-related symptoms that persist beyond the "normal" acute phase of withdrawal, which for most people is over within a week or two. It's not some kind of separate malady that you "get" like pneumonia or something.

At 24 months sober, I still have symptoms at times (e.g., my misfiring brain just required about 8 tries to type the word "symptoms" LOL), but they interfere with my daily life much less frequently or severely than they used to.

Axiom

I don't know, I believe PAWS is real. I got hit hard about a month after my detox until almost four months. Reading up on it let me know I wasn't broken, that this too shall pass. I read about it, prepared for it, got hit hard by it and go through it. I think sometimes it still creeps in but not like it was for a while. The only thing to do about PAWS is accept it for a while. Exercise always helped clear my head a bit, especially on the really bad days.

From what I have read length and severity depends on a few factors. DOC and length and severity of use being the main is ones. One thing I have read everywhere though is that it is completely manageable. It is unpleasant but using again only makes it worse.

suicideseason

Makes me feel im going crazy.