While in active addiction the addict/alcoholic experiences a disruption to normal brain activity which impairs clear thinking and emotion expression. Additionally, short-term memory loss, lack of coordination, sleep disturbances and stress are all part of PAWS and can make the recovery process sometimes long and difficult.

As a result of continued abuse of drugs and/or alcohol the brain needs to make an adjustment in order to 'right itself' as neurotransmitters return to normalcy and acclimate to a life without mood altering chemicals. This sometime takes time and that is where post acute withdrawal symptoms come in, they are like lingering withdrawal.

Essentially there is 3 major ways that Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome can impact a recovering person.

They are:

1. Cognitive - racing or recycling thoughts with impaired concentration and intention span.

2. Emotional - either an absence or an excess of emotions with a tendency towards hyper reaction.

3. Memory - - short-term (30 minutes) memory loss is often the most noted problem

These issues usually affect a person early in recovery so it is imperative that family, friends and colleagues recognize there presence.

Another factor that greatly affects the addict is stress. As a result, the recovering individual needs to understand that the lowering of stress is vital and that specific lifestyle changes need to occur. Healthy habits such as limiting caffeine, getting 8-10 hours of sleep, eating three balanced meals per day and exercising 3+ times weekly will reap great benefits.

Dr. Richard Rawson and his colleagues, who developed the neuro behavioral model of recovery from cocaine addiction, identified four different stages of recovery that are commonly experienced by people during their recovery. These stages are rough guidelines for the recovery process.

Each of these four stages involves potential changes in your behavior, emotions, thinking, and interpersonal relationships. Following is a brief summary of symptoms or behaviors associated with each stage.

Stage 1: Withdrawal (0-15 days) You may sleep more, act impulsively, or feel depressed, anxious, shameful, fearful, confused, or self-doubt.Cravings to use cocaine are strong, and you may have trouble concentrating or coping with stress. You may become irritated easily with other people.

Stage 2: Honeymoon (16-45 days)You begin to feel better physically, your energy increases, and you feel more optimistic and confident about your life. You may even begin to feel your cocaine problem is "under control" or "over," and, as a result, you may want to drop out of treatment early or stop your recovery activities, such as attending NA, CA, or AA meetings or stop following the disciplines of recovery. This may contribute to your use of cocaine or other substances again.

Stage 3: The Wall (46-120 days)This is seen as the major hurdle in recovery. You become more vulnerable to relapse as you feel reduced physical or sexual energy, depressed, anxious, irritable, or bored; have trouble concentrating; and feel strong cravings or thoughts about using cocaine.

Stage 4: Adjustment (121-180 days)If you get through the previous stages, you may feel a great sense of accomplishment. Life begins to feel like it's getting back to normal as you adjust to changes in your lifestyle. Although your mood improves, you still continue to feel bored and may even feel more lonely than you did before. Cravings for cocaine occur less frequently and intensely, and you may begin to question whether you have an addiction. You may even put yourself in high-risk situations that increase your relapse risk.

There is a gallery of sober living and life skill information available in the Free, 103 Page Resource Guide. Lot's of '10 tips to...' and 'How to' articles. These are all solution oriented. We have been in the problem long enough.
Click Here: Free Addiction Recovery Help Guide,

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