Originally Posted by suki44883

PAWS (Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome) has a wide range of symptoms, and it will affect each individual differently. The severity of it will depend on the level of the addiction and how much damage was done to the nervous system during the course of addiction. Most addicts experience PAWS immediately after detox, and the symptoms usually peak at about three to six months later. However, PAWS can last up to two years, and sometimes even much longer. There are six main symptoms of Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome: Difficulty with Clear Thinking - such as trouble with problem-solving, reasoning, processing thoughts, and concentrating. Difficulty with Managing Stress - such as trouble coping with stress or even recognizing it. Difficulty with Managing Emotions - such as feeling extreme emotions, overreacting, depression, feeling numb, or under-reacting. – such as insomnia, sleep apnea, sleeping too much, or not being able to keep a regular sleep cycle. Difficulty with Physical Coordination – such as trouble with balancing, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and reflexes. Difficulty with Memory - such as short-term or long-term memory loss. If you’re an addict in early recovery who is experiencing any of the following symptoms, you’re likely suffering from PAWS. But you aren’t powerless over the symptoms. Managing PAWS is an important part of early recovery. Here are some things that can help ease the aftershocks Your Support System – can help you stabilize your feelings. Talk to trusted friends, your family, your sponsor, and other supportive people to help you work through your difficulties. Protecting Yourself – from threats to your sobriety is crucial to making it through PAWS. Proper Nutrition – and a balanced diet that’s low in sugar, fat and caffeine will help reduce the symptoms of PAWS. Regular Exercise - will also help reduce PAWS and relieve tension. Counseling, whether it is individual, group, or both, will help you cope with your problems and keep you connected to your goals in recovery. Educating Yourself about PAWS, addiction, and recovery in every way possible will help you maintain perspective on the symptoms you’re experiencing. Balanced Living is important for everyone. If you try your best to keep good balance and stability in your life, you’ll be better able to handle the symptoms of PAWS. It can be extremely frustrating to experience PAWS, and it can even make you question your desire or ability to stick with recovery. It’s normal to feel that way, but it’s important to push through PAWS and realize that it will improve over time. As long as you continue to utilize different coping methods, things will get better.

Originally Posted by WasItMe

Could he be playing them with the ' I don't feel good ' blues so it prolongs his stay?

addicts get very good at what they do and can scheme up any believable act.

I'm so confused on how I'm suppose to feel or think.

Originally Posted by Ann

It's not unusual for them to talk about leaving the program after a week or two, sometimes using an excuse like "it's not working" or "the counselors are jerks and pick on me"....plug your ears and don't listen and don't fret and for the love of heaven don't go get him. Hugs

Originally Posted by suki44883

When I was in detox, I didn't want to leave. I felt safe and secure there. I didn't have any responsibilities other than to allow them to shield me from the real world. I managed to stay an extra day, for a total of six days. Then, I had to move on to an intensive outpatient program. I had to be there a full day for two weeks, then the next two weeks, I was there for three hours a day, three days a week. That was to ween me off the IOP and allow me to slowly integrate back into society. I didn't want to leave there and go back to a life of going to work and dealing with things again. So, on the next to last day of IOP, I stopped on the way home and bought a six-pack of beer. I knew I'd tell them about it the next day and they would extend my stay another week. I sabotaged myself because I didn't want to lose that safe and protected feeling I had. But, we all have to move on. It can be scary and I understand what your son is feeling. He'll be okay if he truly wants to live a sober life. Sometimes, we have to do things while scared. We can't be protected and live life in a bubble.

Originally Posted by needingabreak

It sounds like your son is doing well so far and eager to get clean. My son was allowed to call us the next day after arriving for detox and he was not thrilled. I wish they had not allowed him to call because I worried. He too had a separate facility for detox then went to a men's center a few miles down the road. When he first arrived at the men's center he was not thrilled either but guess what happened? He became very close with his two roommates and others there. He ended up liking it. BTW he asked us for help in the beginning so he was not forced to go. He did his 30 days then 30 more in IOP and sober house. He is past 90 days clean and so far so good. Some addicts have had their life out of control for so long they are actually glad to have the feeling of getting their life back and the rehab feels like a safe haven to them where they can hide for a bit from the big bad world they left. While he is there, start doing things for yourself that you have not done. Go out with friends, go to a movie, knit, read, run, play. We had been wrapped up in my son's issues for so long we had to try and find ourselves again. The Melanie Beattie book is excellent for us mom's!