Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome

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Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is a set of impairments that occur after withdrawal from alcohol or other substances. The condition can last from six to eighteen months after the last use. It is marked by a fluctuating but incrementally improving course. Episodes of active symptoms can last several days.

PAWS affects many aspects of recovery and everyday life, including the ability to keep a job and interact with family and friends. Symptoms occur in three-quarters of persons in recovery from long-term use of alcohol or mind-altering drugs. Symptoms can include mood swings, cognitive impairment, and difficulty forming new memories.

[edit] Symptoms

Common symptoms of PAWS are:

  • Inability to think clearly
  • Memory problems
  • Emotional overreactions or numbness
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Physical coordination problems
  • Stress sensitivity
  • Increased sensitivity to pain

Symptoms occur intermittently, but are not always present. They are made worse by stress or other triggers and may arise at unexpected times and for no apparent reason. They may last for a short while or longer. Any of the following may trigger symptoms of PAWS:

  • Stressful and/or frustrating situations
  • Trying to do more than one thing at once
  • Feelings of anxiety, fearfulness or anger
  • Conflict with others
  • Unrealistic expectations of yourself

[edit] Cause

The symptoms of PAWS occur because the brain's ability to react to stress has been weakened by long-term substance abuse. Stressful situations arise in early recovery, and the symptoms of PAWS produce further distress. It is important to avoid or to deal with the triggers that make PAWS worse.