Suddenly stopping or drastically reducing your intake of alcohol or drugs can be very challenging, because your mind and body are learning to adjust to living without something you were dependent on for a long time. Withdrawal can lead to physical discomfort as well as life-threatening health conditions. But remember, you were strong before your addiction and can triumph in your recovery. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the relapse rate for substance use disorders is estimated to be between post-acute withdrawal syndrome 40-60%. However, by educating individuals about PAWS and providing them with comprehensive support and treatment, it is possible to reduce this rate and improve long-term recovery outcomes. Ultimately, understanding PAWS can help reduce the risk of relapse for individuals in recovery.

• While PAWS symptoms can be distressing and persistent, most people experience gradual improvement over time.
• Most antidepressant drugs work by targeting neurotransmitters in the brain and raising serotonin and norepinephrine levels.
• The current evidence on PAWS is sparse and predominantly of low certainty.
• This systematic review is the first to examine the prevalence, duration, severity, risk/protective factors and treatment strategies for post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) following the discontinuation of antidepressant medications.

Coping with Protracted Withdrawal in Recovery

• Because one of the symptoms are cravings and due to the desire to relieve the other symptoms, relapse can be common with those who suffer from PAWS.
• Aftercare planning begins during treatment, so clients leave with a clear, supported path forward — not just an end to withdrawal.
• With the right mental health support, patience, and professional care, long-term recovery isn’t just possible—it’s within reach.
• Remember, self-care is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and what works for one person may not work for another.
• Drug addiction creates changes in available neurotransmitters, which causes the brain to alter itself to accommodate these changes.
• The brain adapts to the high opioid level by cranking up the neurons there.

We searched PubMed, Web of Science and PsycInfo, focusing on newer-generation antidepressants. The electronic database search was complemented with handsearching reference lists of pivotal studies. We included original studies in adults reporting on PAWS and providing data about epidemiology and clinical management of withdrawal symptoms persisting for at least 6 weeks. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome is believed to be caused by long-term changes in brain chemistry and neuroadaptation that occur during substance use.

How to Recognize and Manage the Symptoms of Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome

The unpredictable nature of symptoms creates situations where maintaining sobriety requires constant vigilance and adaptation. Two people withdrawing from the same substance can experience dramatically different symptom clusters and timelines. What looks like PAWS in one person might manifest completely differently in another, even with identical substance use histories. Taking care of your basic needs is a good way to avoid worsening your mental and physical symptoms. These symptoms are common across substances — in other words, no matter which substance you used, you might experience one or more of the above.

Post-acute Withdrawal Syndrome

The following are typical timelines for the symptoms of withdrawal to subside in benzodiazepine recovery 14. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol alcoholism detox and rehab process.

What Is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome and How Does It Impact Recovery?

These symptoms may include things like dizziness, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Over time, they usually lessen in severity as the nervous system and physiology adjusts to function without the presence of the drug. Cravings are common throughout all the phases of recovery, but withdrawal cravings are intense.

The dysregulation of these neurotransmitters during withdrawal can contribute to the psychological symptoms experienced by individuals. The first hours following cessation initiate the alcohol withdrawal timeline, introducing the early withdrawal symptoms phase. A common question when people think of detoxing from drugs is how to deal with drug withdrawal. The syndromes met the DSM-IV criteria for cyclothymic disorder except for the required duration criterion.

Post-acute withdrawal symptoms can last for as long as a year, and include psychological symptoms such as brain fog and fluctuating moods, as well as physical symptoms such as insomnia. When someone stops taking substances under medical care, the doctor will help them to manage withdrawal symptoms. One way to ease withdrawal symptoms is by prescribing drugs like benzodiazepines, which are used for alcohol withdrawal. However, there is a notable lack of research on PAWS, and to the best of our knowledge, the sparse evidence base on persistent withdrawal reactions is mostly comprised of case reports and opinion papers.

• You don’t have to face this alone – and with the right support, it does get easier.
• Former users can tell you that the worst of PAWS was better than active addiction.
• Healthcare providers should receive training on assessing for and treating PTSD alongside addiction, in order to provide more comprehensive and effective care for patients.
• Ioana has a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and has been a freelance writer for over ten years.

Emotional Symptoms

Most individuals experiencing post-acute withdrawal syndrome are likely to have taken their drug on a daily basis or multiple times per day. The greater the frequency over which you took a particular drug, the more likely you’ll be to experience post-acute withdrawals. Someone who takes a drug once per week has a virtually zero percent chance of experiencing post-acute withdrawals. When beginning the incredible journey of recovery, many aspects of the process can seem daunting, especially the potential for intense and protracted withdrawal symptoms. While it is true that PWS/PAWS can last for years, you don’t have to despair. There is freedom in recovery, and with Alternative to Meds, you can find your own way to resolve your symptoms holistically with thoughtful, informed care.

The Importance of Self-Care During PAWS Recovery

Afterward, they breathe a sigh of relief, thinking, I’m past all of that. A tidal wave of anxiety, fatigue and depression overwhelm them, along with a host of other bewildering physical and mental symptoms. The first phase is characterized by acute withdrawal symptoms that occur alongside the detox of highly addictive substances. This stage includes mostly physical withdrawal symptoms and lasts around a few weeks 1.