The first step every recovering addict must take on their recovery journey is to detox and overcome withdrawal symptoms. While withdrawal symptoms are typically short-term, lasting only 1-2 weeks, some individuals can experience withdrawal symptoms that last anywhere from a few weeks to months, otherwise known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome. In this article, you’ll learn more about coping with post-acute withdrawal syndrome so you can effectively progress along your recovery journey.
At Hammocks on the Edisto, we are a premier women’s drug rehab center that provides leading addiction therapies and mental health treatment. No two recovery journeys are ever the same. This is why we use a personalized approach to help patients heal and receive the tailored treatment they need to overcome addiction and achieve long-lasting sobriety safely. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your recovery needs.
What is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome?
Before learning about coping with post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), it’s first critical to understand more about what PAWS is. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome occurs when an individual experiences a variety of withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, mood swings, difficulty falling and staying asleep, fatigue, and more that last longer than expected for immediate, short-term withdrawal symptoms.
For example, typically recovering addicts can expect withdrawal symptoms to last between 1-2 weeks as their body adapts to no longer consuming drugs or alcohol. However, some patients can experience PAWS for several weeks to months as your body may take a longer time to adapt to no longer consuming drugs.
4 Ways to Cope with Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
Struggling with post-acute withdrawal syndrome? Below are several ways for coping with post-acute withdrawal syndrome so you can establish stability and improve your general well-being, despite enduring withdrawal symptoms.
- Ask for Help From Your Support System
First, it’s important to understand the importance of asking for help. Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable, and it can be discouraging to experience ongoing withdrawal symptoms as you progress along your recovery journey. However, leaning on trusted friends, family members, therapists, and others can help keep you accountable along your recovery journey.
- Establish a Healthy Routine
Next, establishing a healthy routine can help create more stability in your life, which aims to lower your risk of relapse. Unfortunately, prolonged withdrawal symptoms are not only uncomfortable but can make you vulnerable to falling back into old, unhealthy habits to abuse drugs or alcohol. This is why it’s critical to establish a healthy routine of getting quality sleep each night, when you eat meals each day or exercise, and more.
- Prioritize Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Similar to the above point, it’s important to establish and consistently practice healthy lifestyle habits in your life. From eating healthy foods to regularly exercising and getting quality sleep each night, these healthy lifestyle habits can help ensure you are progressing along your recovery and lower your risk of relapse. Again, because withdrawal symptoms can make you vulnerable to triggers, it’s critical to take care of your mind and body.
- Avoid Triggering People, Places, Or Experiences
Finally, it’s important to avoid triggering people, places, and experiences that run the risk of jeopardizing your recovery journey. Although you are unable to control how long you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms, you can, for the most part, control who you surround yourself with, the places you go, and more, which is key to lowering your risk of relapse.
Help Is Available
Now you know more about PAWS, and coping with post-acute withdrawal syndrome. From asking for help from your support system to prioritizing a clear routine and healthy habits, these can help provide stability in your life as you navigate experiencing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms for a period of time. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it’s critical you seek professional help to safely progress along your recovery journey.
Our caring team at Hammocks on the Edisto is here to help guide you along your recovery journey so you can safely break free from addiction. Whether you are struggling with alcohol addiction, anxiety, depression, or a co-occurring disorder, we provide a wide range of treatment options to ensure you receive the unique care you need to lead a healthier, happier life. Ready to start your recovery journey? Contact us today!
