How to deal with PAWS

[nikkirs1988]

I've been clean from subutex for 27 days. I went through physical withdrawal for 14 days. Now, I know I'm going through PAWS. The mental aspect of this is rough. I have 3 kids and I find myself wanting to seclude myself from everyone, them included. I know I love them dearly. There's no doubt there but I find myself getting frustrated and short tempered with them. At this point I just want out of everything that stresses me out. I feel like I can't even take it sometimes. I feel like I have no help or support from anyone and it's so frustrating.  

[motye51]

Lol....I agree, all people are different....but....an addict is an addict. I would also venture to say that if we knew how to use successfully, or knew how to handle life on life's terms...we wouldn't be on this website. Doing it alone is a disaster waiting to happen for am addict.
Sub's take a long time to get off of....I'm speaking from the fact that I got off of them myself, and its NOT like getting off of opiates. It takes much longer and in my opinion, is very tough....but can be done. Keep pushing yourself forwards, every day clean adds up quickly!!!!

[nikkirs1988]

Thanks guys! I feel better today.  Just exhausted.  Tomorrow is 1 month I haven't been able to say I've been Ean for this long in a decade! The feeling is empowering.  I am going to start NA I know that'd help.  I have to make the time to go. And I know that. I appreciate everyone's input.  Thanks!

[VICourageous]

Well...You got to remember that when we get off of these mind-altering substance it takes awhile for all the Brain Chemistry to balance back. This can feel very emotional and physical as it heals..
Later on, as you balanced out a bit comes the Post acute withdrawals.

After a person has becomes adjusted to a certain level of the drug/experience Removal of it affects the Emotional/Biochemical balance that has been established..The person THEN has to readjust to LIVING without the previous levels of stimulation, etc..Post acute withdraws can last for a yr or more..It also has emotional and physiological aspects that are very difficult to endure.

It took me over 2 yrs to finally start to balance out my Brain Chemistry. I was also told my a Psychologist that I had seen once, that it would take me a good 2yrs or more to do this..He was so right on it..I think the PAW, to me, is LEARNING to live life without these substances. This can be very emotional and can affect other parts of the body along with the brain. The longer and harder on has used for so many yrs, the harder it is to try to change this. WE all have to change these behaviors and it takes so much working at. There are so many reason why one will use..SO MANY! This is what has to change and this is where we become frustrated or confused. We are not used to living in our own skin.

NOW..This is just me and what I had experienced over the last 3 yrs. Life will toss us some curve balls and dealing with it clean and sober is a Big change for many. Learning all I can about Addiction in a more Scientific way as helped me to this day, BUT I do go to many meetings too. I can not do this Alone! Keep pushing and working on these changes. The grass can be greener on the other side. It just takes TIME!
Bless
Vickie

[nikkirs1988]

Finding the time to go to NA or any meeting seems like a lost cause but I agree that I should go.  It's actually doing it that takes forever lol

[nikkirs1988]

Post-acute withdrawal is a group of symptoms of addictive disease that occur as a result of abstinence from addictive chemicals. In the alcoholic/addict these symptoms appear seven to fourteen days into abstinence, after stabilization from the acute withdrawal.
I think we all need to remember that everyone is different.  

[gnarly_1]

Hi...well I agree with jifmoc and motye  true PAWS does not set in for months and what your feeling now is still the withdrawal  sub is a lot like methadone and it can take a wile to feel better  at this point Aftercare is critical for me the N/A progam has been working  it is free the meetings are only a hour long and it treats the addict that is still alive and well in your head long after the drugs stop...there is only one one to do this wrong and that is trying to do it alone you need outside support and if it works for a old dope fiend like me it will work for anyone so google a N/A meeting in your area and go
.......................................Gnarly......................................

[Madmax88]

I agree with megwpaw, it's diffrent for everyone! Some people get it after a few weeks others few years while others don't get it at all..
We talked about this in my NA class, this was the only answer that makes sense.. I'm only 2 months clean, though around week 5 (35) days I got a mental war!!! It lasted up till like week 6 1/2 and lingered on ever since. Though it's came to the point where there are days I forget i use to be an addict

[meegWpaw]

hi nikki, everyone on medhelp has always said that PAWS comes much later;  when i was in treatment at a widely known hospital chain, the therapists told us that PAWS came at about the time frame you are mentioning.  at any rate, you need some support, some people who know what you're going through!  when we get clean we have to re-learn how to do everything without drugs.  be kind to yourself.  and find support through 12 step, individual therapy, or some combo ... get support wherever you can.  it's crucial to success :)

[motye51]

I want to 2nd what jfmoc said. I'm pretty sure its not PAWS its that your still detoxing. 27 fays is fantastic and I totally think you are nearing the end of most of it but I came off of suboxone and it took me a good 5-6 weeks to make a legitimate sentence much less get back to being a mother, wife, employee, etc....
I can't stress enough that aftercare will help with the mental aspect b,c quite honestly, I felt like I was going insane!!!! Also, give yourself a break....your newly clean and it takes time....don't push yourself to hard or you'll get frustrated and that s not good for u right now. Don't try to take on to much.....the little bit your kids put up with now is NOTHING in the long run when they get their full mother back!!!

[jifmoc]

Hi, and welcome. That isn't PAWS. PAWS, if it comes, is much much later, months down the line. You are still detoxing. Peeps think that when the drugs are gone, things go back to normal, and that's just not so. We are addicts. We used for a reason. And those reasons need to be dealt with. That is why aftercare is hammered home. I felt exactly as you did, but when I walked my butt into a meeting, things changed.

I cannot impress enough how vital aftercare is for treating the addict brain, for sanity, for feeling supported, and for STAYING clean.

[brown1986]

Yes I feel you today is my 3rd day clean...I just get angry real fast and don't wanna be bother...I have 5 kids including a 3 month old...only part I'm dealing with is the very hardest is the mental part of it....I have no physical part of the wd but stomach messed up really bad