Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)

[Rkk71]

Just wondering if anyone here has been through PAWS and have seen the doctor to be diagnosed with a whole array of mental illnesses? I havent drank in about a year and a half, and I have been diagnosed with major depression, anxiety/panic, ocd, adhd. Now, I definately have symptoms now that didn't give me trouble before all this. Besides the balance and coordination problems, I have every symptom of PAWS. But everything I read from addiction specialists, addiction communities,  even some medical literature swears that this is a real problem and usually resolves itself within 24 months, sometimes longer. In my case, I have improved a lot in certain areas, but am still not right. I dont remember being a depressed person, or having anxiety that interffered with my life. The  symptoms I have that are really bothersome is emotional numbness, circulating thoughts, and inability to think clearly. I guess I'm just hoping these problems go away on their own without taking medication long term. But the emotional numbness is bad, our feelings our what make us who we are and interact with life. Its hard to have hope after a year and a half of having such problems! Has anyone else been in the same boat, and gotten better as time went on? Or was I really pre-disposed to having these problems and should just try meds and stay with them? I currently take Lorazepam, and even after having horrible alcohol withdrawals my symptoms are so bad that I am not concerned about a dependence on this drug. I'm only 24, but drank heavily for 5 years along with a couple years of heavy pot smoking, and some periods or cocaine use. Well, I could go on for ever, but hope someone here has some insight!

[Rkk71]

havent drank for a year and a half...i take 0.5mg ativan daily. i totally understand the risks of it trust me. but i cant function without it.

[toomuchmoney]

I had a very heavy drinking peroid in my early twenties. Get a hold of your drinking know. How many days have it been since you had a drink?? How much Ativan are you taking and how often

[avisg]

Lots of us deal with PAWS there is some great info in the health pages on PAWs.Take  look at it .Paws is long term for some people keep researching it .Take it day by day .How long have you been clean ?