AKA: PAWS
Ongoing withdrawal-like symptoms that can last weeks or months after stopping certain substances, including mood swings, sleep problems, anxiety, and low energy.
In the context of addiction treatment:
Can occur with alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, and other substances.
What to know:
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PAWS can make people feel like they’re “going backwards” but is often part of the healing process.
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Support, healthy routines, and sometimes medications can help manage symptoms.