RAB12345

I couldn't take it anymore so I caved and went to the doctor and was prescribed Campral for the anxiety which seems to help a little. I have very severe PAWS and GAD on top of that. I've only been sober for 3 months and everything I read contradicts the other.
Anyone who has had their fight with PAWS and recovered....please tell me it DOES go away eventually. My life has been destroyed.

LumenandNyx

Yes, PAWS eventually begins to subside. What the disappearance of PAWS can do though is uncover the stuff you might have been drinking over in the first place.

Nothing stays the same forever.

RAB12345

Is PAWS just the name given for those who suffer greatly in early recovery?

Mary88

I'm sure I had PAWS too. Those early months were very difficult and I had terrible anxiety too. It does get easier as time goes on. I'm nearly 9 months sober now and PAWS isn't bad now.

​It's good you saw a doctor and are getting help with it.

RAB12345

It's bringing my GAD out full force. My brain keeps trying to convince me that I'm never going to get better.

Dee74

PAWs is not really a disease but a syndrome - a group of symptoms.
if you believe you have PAWs this link explains it well, and also gives some tips for dealing with it

https://digital-dharma.net/post-acut...r-immediately/

If you are like me I was anxious before i ever took my first drink, so in early recovery my anxiety was sky high, but it did get better in time, I promise.

I tried to look at it as a manifestation of my mind and body healing. That helped me to cut down a little of the panic.

I felt a lot better after 90 days.

I hope you feel better soon

D

least

I had symptoms of PAWS the first year of sobriety but it went away eventually. Campral is supposed to help with cravings.

BeABetterMan

Like D122y on this board says, the only way to recover is through time and suffering. The suffering does not go down linearly from day one, getting better everyday. It throws you curve balls. BUT IT DOES GET BETTER. I promise you. A great thing to do is to keep a daily journal. Nothing fancy. Just write in it each day how you're feeling. Day one usually looks like this, "I wish I was dead, this sucks". Day two, "this sucks. I am so anxious. I can't sleep. I can't take this". Day seven, "I finally slept better last night. I woke up feeling ok then out of nowhere, I had a panic attack." Day 10, "I went for walk today and talked to a friend. I'm still having trouble sleeping but my anxiety is better today." Day 14 "struggling with cravings, did some recovery work (whatever that is to you ... AA, treatment, exercise, etc.).

Day 30, "Finally feeling normal today. Got a decent sleep and haven't felt anxious today". It allows you to keep track of your progress. So on those days you feel like you're making no progress you can look back and see your growth. Good luck.

DriGuy

It gets better.

Hawkeye13

Got better gradually over time. Hot herbal tea, yoga, walks in Nature and eating Whole Foods all helped.

RAB12345

I sent you a private message Dee

Dee74

I live in Australia so I was asleep
I’ve replied.

D