Sober 8.5 months...PAWS persists.

[catbox]

Hey:
I posted over here: Stopped drinking 8 months ago....withdrawals persist, but....

Just curious if anyone here in th LTA area has either been through post acute withdrawal syndrome or going through it. Just intersted in comparing notes. I know it does not happen with everyone but if you have some light to shed on the subject I would appreciate it.
Thanks!

catbox

[xtexan]

Hi catbox:

I have read that PAWS can persist for 2 to 3 years after the last drink.

I believe it is manfesting in my situation in a number of ways. Got diagnosed with IBS this past month, and I know it is psychosomatic. I've gone over 16 months AF, and have weathered quite a few different symptoms. I expected this, because I drank regularly for 35 years. I never had some of these problems all the time I drank, but I see them for what they are. It is my body and mind healing and stuggling to settle in without the constant anesthetic effect of the booze.

I went into this thing with my eyes open. I see you're at 8 1/2 months, and that was a very difficult time for me. Right at 9 months was when it peaked, and got pretty hairy. Dealing with aftershocks after the big quake is part of it I guess.

Hang in there, it does get less intense after a while. It is a rough time to get over though, and no denying that.

Neil

[abby1]

PAWS?
abby

[trixietrack]

what is PAWS? feelling silly over here

[xtexan]

Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. PAWS.

Long term effects from abstaining from booze, that last for quite a while. More frequent in those who abuse for many years.(like me)

Neil

[mikeupnorth]

I wouldn't doubt that I have it too... I have symptoms such as anxiety & depression and it's hard to figure out if they caused me to drink, or if my drinking caused them.

[catbox]

Thanks for the response Neil!

Here is a good description of PAWS for those who are curious.
Post Acute Withdrawl - Relapse Prevention Specialists - TLC The Living Center
It's funny how many people don't know about PAWS. It took a psyche
nurse practitioner to tell me what was going on...in November when I tought I was
going nuts. I have a 20 year history of drinking and the last year was devoted to vodka...i got nailed by PAWS because of it. I read it gets better over time, but when you are in it, it seems like forever. At least I am functioning better than this Fall and Winter. The mental stuff is what sucks! As I have posted before, aside from some depression, possibly due to my boozing, my mental health has always been fine...until 3 days aftyer the last drink!

Catbox

[Padme]

Hi Catbox -- I find it unusual that more people don't know about PAWS as well. I discovered it in about 2001, the first year of sobriety the first go around. It sure explained why I would get a craving out of the blue, with no apparent emotional stress related event 4, 6, & 9 months into sobriety. Knowing what was happening really helped me get through the ruff patches. What really knocked me for a loop was the first year anniversary, i had a whole week of cravings, lordie, thought it would never end....but it did...always does ....

Take Care

[weemelonhead]

Hi Catbox.......
First of all...hearty congrats on the 8.5 months my friend....good on you!!!
I am 6 months sober now, and am still very much in the grip of PAWS, but knowing about it has helped me to feel calmer and rationalise things slightly better (sometimes!).
I, like you, am going with a wholefood diet, which I have found immensely beneficial...in fact, for the last couple of weeks, I have been really busy with my job, and working long hours with funny shifts and so have eaten haphazardly, and rammed down convenient carby junk as a result. I have noticed over this period that my mood swings, confusion, and lack of coordination have really gone downhill again as a result.
I am lucky n that exercise is a BIG part of my job...it is very physical, and I walk miles every day pushing a young man in a wheelchair up and down hills which takes care of the physical side of stuff well.
However, I still have terrible trouble sleeping well, even when physically, I feel really exhausted...I need to go to bed very early, I then wake up early, and usually need a sleep at about 2 in the afternoon which is obviously not possible during a normal life. I also dream manically every night...very strange, and sometimes quite disturbing images...I did think that it was due to the 5htp I was taking and so stopped that about 3 months ago I think, but it has carried on, and so must be part of the PAWS stuff.
I also notice that my coordination is a source of constant mirth to those around me...I frequently knock stuff over, drop things, bang into stuff etc...very funny to everyone else!!

At first...with these symptoms and the sways between numb 'nothing' feelings and irrational irritation ( I very seriously nearly walked out on my partner a couple of month ago and went to live in a shed in my employers garden.... I can't quite work out why I thought this would be a good idea, but know that at the time...it seemed like a completely logical step to take??????) I felt like you...I just couldn't believe it...I thought life was going to be so much better without booze, and then I found I was turning into even more of a fruitcake!!! A high dose of anti depressants have also helped a great deal with this.
I think the main thing that makes me feel more easy about it all is that it's 'normal'....I can cope with something that I know can be an expected part of recovery (just about...hahahaha)......

Just keep going Mister...I hear that it does get better, although some symptoms may have to be managed for a lifetime......
I do know though, that I would rather try and live with the effects of sobriety than the sh*t of a drunken existence....

Keep going!!!!
Weeclumsymelon xxx

[Java]

well said wee!