Post Acute Withdrawal (PAW)

1. Post Acute Withdrawal(PAW) The Sobriety Based Symptoms of Recovery

2. PAW- What is it? • PAW is the symptoms/things that people experience after they stop using alcohol or other drugs. • They are usually experienced after 7-14 days.---after the early withdrawal. May vary with different drugs. • They are usually worst 3-6 months into recovery • They usually last from 6 months to 2 years

3. What happens when you stop using—especially during the first one or two weeks? This is typically the Acute Withdrawal time. Let’s take a closer look • What things did you experience during your using days?

4. The Brain is impacted long after this first few days after you stop using. • If people don’t understand these symptoms, that can increase the chance of relapse. • But the more you know about them, the better you can learn to deal with them.

5. 1. The damage to the brain is usually reversible—things will get better—there is no need to fear. 2. With a good recovery program and not using alcohol or other substance, your brain can get back in balance. Two Things to Remember

6. We’re going to do two things in the next few minutes: • Get a chance to know what these PAW symptoms are-- • And more importantly, we’re going to look at the tools you can use to deal with these symptoms.

7. Now Let’s look at the PAW Symptoms: • Inability to think clearly • Memory Problems • Emotional Overreaction or Numbness • Sleep Disturbances • Physical Coordination Problems • Oversensitivity to Stress

8. Thinking Problems • Have a hard time concentrating/paying attention. • Having rigid, repetitive thinking. • Difficulty dealing with non-concrete (abstract) concepts or ideas.

9. Memory Problems • Short term memory: • Hear something and understand it, and 20 minutes later you can’t remember it. • Long term memory: • Sometimes,under stress, can’t remember important events from the past. They aren’t gone, just forgotten for the moment.

10. Emotional Problems • Over-reaction to situations-everything becomes a “big deal.” • When the stress gets too great, tend to “shut down”—become emotionally numb.

11. Sleep Problems • Unusual or disturbing dreams. • Hard to fall asleep. • Difficulty staying asleep. • Restless sleep; don’t feel rested when you awake. • Changes in sleeping/awake cycles.

12. Physical Coordination Problems • Trouble with balance • Dizziness • Poor eye/hand coordination. • Clumsiness • Accident Prone • Slow reflexes

13. Difficulty dealing with Stress • Can’t recognize stress at low levels. • Over-react when stress is recognized. • May do things inappropriate for the situation. • Other PAW symptoms become worse under stress.

14. No wonder I have a hard time getting along • You may feel— • Embarrassed • Filled with Shame • Feel inadequate or “less than others” • OK, Show me how to deal with this…..

15. Managing the Symptoms • You can manage the symptoms so they: • Become less frequent • Are less severe • Last shorter periods of time.

16. 1.Get regular feedback from those you trust: Therapy group Professional counselor/doctor Self-help group Sponsor Need reality checks. 2. Verbalize: Need to talk about what your experiencing. But talk to people who are not going to accuse, criticize, or minimize. It helps your awareness of symptoms. Here are some of the recovery tools you’ll need to use.

17. 3. Ventilate : with “safe people” talk about what you’re thinking and feeling even if it seems irrational. Be open to helpful feedback. 4. Reality Testing: Ask someone you trust if you are making sense—not just what you are saying, but also your behavior. And More Recovery Tools

18. And More Recovery Tools 5. Problem Solving and Goal Setting: • Identify and Clarify the Problem • Identify options and best possible outcome • Get feedback if needed • Take action and review outcome

19. And More Recovery Tools 6. Backtracking: If something isn’t going well, stop and look at when things got off track. What could be done differently? Were there any PAW symptoms? How can you get back on track!!!

20. 7. Education and Re-Training: Learn all that you can. Knowledge is Power As a recovering person you need to know what is normal. 8. Self-Protective Behavior: When all is said and done, you need to do what it takes to strengthen the recovery that you value and gives your life hope. And More Recovery Tools

21. And More Recovery Tools 9. NUTRITION • Reduces stress!! • 3 balanced meals and 3 snacks each day • Reduce sweets, caffeine, and nicotine • YOUR RECOVERY DIET!!

22. And More Recovery Tools 10. Treat yourself to EXERCISE each day • It relaxes, calms, and reduces tension. • Produces brain chemicals that make you feel good. • Helps improve sleep • Helps weight control • HELPS YOU FEEL GOOD!!!

23. 11. Relaxation--Natural Stress Reducers: Daydreaming Laughing Playing Music Reading And more: Taking a walk Singing Taking a hot bath Soaking your feet Massage Relaxation tools Deep Breathing Tense/Relax muscles And More Recovery Tools

24. Spirituality • 12. Spirituality as a key to healthy recovery: • One of the best ways to deal with early dual recovery is to have an active relationship with a power greater than yourself.

25. Meditation:Practice listening to and coming into the presence of your Higher Power—praying only for knowledge of my HP’s will for me and the strength to carry it out.” (Step 11) Prayer—conversation with your Higher Power Turning it over Letting Go Journaling—keeping a personal record of thoughts, feelings, ideas Spiritual Fellowship friendship based on shared spirituality And More Recovery Tools:Spirituality

26. And More Recovery Tools:SIMPLICITY • GROWING SPIRITUALLY ONE STEP AT A TIME • Personal Inventory: • In the morning to plan the day • In the evening to review the day

27. Your Keys to Dual RecoveryThe HOW of the Program • HONEST about what is happening, • OPEN to feedback and support • WILLING to use the tools of recovery