Andante

That's fine, but whether you "believe" in PAWS or not, there exists a subset of recovering alcoholics who suffer withdrawal-type symptoms well past the timeline for ordinary acute withdrawal. Most people get over their initial withdrawal symptoms within a week or two. For others, the symptoms can persist for months or even years.

I'm two years sober and still sometimes feel shaky, sludge-brained, fatigued, headachy, and anxious, and I still have cognitive and memory issues. These reoccur periodically and there seems to be no discernible pattern or relationship to current life circumstances. The symptoms are gradually getting better with time, although my worst days can still feel like Day One.

I find it convenient to lump these symptoms together under the "PAWS" label. I don't see how doing so has anything to do with whether I'm properly accepting accountability for my sobriety.

Berrybean

Thanks for the link. Wish i'd read that ten moths ago! Excellent article!!

Snotchy

Hello Jdvivre,

My situation was, from 12 to 25 I was a heavy drug and alc user, then I got clean, but 5 years ago after a back injury I stepped in the snare of pain meds and pain "specialist". I found out that the addict part of me could easily awakened by opiates.

Had I not had the injury I don't see why I wouldn't have just kept on going like I had been. It wasn't quitting the drugs when I was young, it was the life I choose when I quit.

As others have said, quitting is great, living well is the key to success. WhenI say well, I don't mean "rich and famous", to me it means content.

I wish you the best.

- S