Drug and alcohol addiction can lead to long-lasting harm. Living with addiction can harm your body, mind, relationships, and other aspects of your life. 

Ongoing or heavy substance abuse can change the way the brain and body function. These changes can make it very challenging for people to stop using addictive substances when they choose.

Many people require comprehensive medical detox programs to stop using addictive substances. Detox programs can help people manage withdrawal symptoms that make detox very challenging. 

Understanding the detox process can also help people prepare for each stage. This article will explore a condition called protracted withdrawal. You will learn:

  • What happens during withdrawal
  • The symptoms of protracted withdrawal
  • How to manage protracted withdrawal
  • Where to find treatment that supports long-term recovery

If you or someone you love needs support or treatment during detox, reach out to the Moving Mountains Recovery specialists. We are happy to answer your questions and help you schedule an intake appointment. 

Don’t wait another day to get the support you deserve. Contact us today to start your recovery journey. 

What Happens During Withdrawal?

People who abuse drugs or alcohol for a long period of time may develop physical dependence. People with active addiction and physical dependence cannot typically choose to stop using these substances. Dependence means that the body must have a substance to function.

When people with dependence on a substance suddenly stop taking it, they typically experience withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms usually occur in two stages: acute withdrawal and protracted withdrawal.

Acute withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms depend on the substance a person is dependent on. Common symptoms of acute withdrawal include:

  • Cravings
  • Depression
  • Excessive sweating
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
  • Tremors

Some people develop more severe acute withdrawal symptoms, including hallucinations and seizures.

These and other withdrawal symptoms can make people miserable as their body detoxifies. Many people struggle to avoid relapse during acute withdrawal. This stage of withdrawal may last days or weeks. 

Protracted withdrawal

Some people develop prolonged withdrawal symptoms that last months or years. This is called protracted withdrawal syndrome or post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). 

Those who develop PAWS experience psychological and physical symptoms. These include:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Cravings
  • Fatigues
  • Nightmares
  • Insomnia or sleep disturbances
  • Brain fog
  • Decreased ability to manage stress
  • Panic attacks
  • Low energy and motivation
  • Impulsivity
  • Irritability and mood swings

People with post-acute withdrawal symptoms may face a higher risk of relapse. They require intensive treatment and support to help prevent relapse and develop healthy coping strategies.  

Recognizing the Symptoms of Post-Acute Withdrawal

The symptoms of PAWS can vary, depending on the substances a person used. Here is an overview of PAWS symptoms by substance. 

Cocaine

People with a history of cocaine addiction may develop prolonged withdrawal symptoms that last months after detox. Symptoms may include poor emotional regulation and impaired impulse control.

Opioids

People in recovery from opioid use disorder may experience dysphoria, executive function deficits, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Symptoms may last for months after detox. 

Methamphetamine

Meth is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. People may experience long-lasting executive functioning deficits after detox. 

Marijuana

People in recovery from marijuana abuse may experience months of nightmares and sleep disturbances.

Benzodiazepines

After detoxing from benzodiazepines, people may develop protracted withdrawal symptoms. These include panic attacks, anxiety, and agitation. Symptoms can last for weeks or months after detox. 

It is important to have the support of mental health and medical professionals throughout protracted withdrawal. Getting treatment can help people avoid relapse and other life-threatening complications as their bodies work to correct chemical imbalances after detox. 

How to Manage Protracted Withdrawal

Developing protracted withdrawal syndrome can feel like a major setback to those in recovery. It can feel discouraging to live with lingering withdrawal symptoms. Some may feel as though withdrawal will last forever.

People may become mentally and physically exhausted by PAWS. However, getting support and taking other proactive steps can help people manage their symptoms and stay focused on recovery. 

Here are some strategies people can use to manage protracted withdrawal symptoms.

Practice self-care

Taking care of your body and mind can help you feel your best, even while managing the long-lasting side effects of withdrawal. This may include:

  • Eating regular, nutritious meals
  • Staying socially active
  • Exercising regularly
  • Practicing mindfulness
  • Avoiding your triggers
  • Sleeping well and resting often

These strategies can help people improve their mental and physical health as their body heals after addiction.

Find support

Support can mean different things to different people. For some, it means seeking medically supported treatment. For others, it means finding a support group and building their social circle. 

Support is essential during withdrawal–especially for those living with PAWS. Don’t wait until you are at a low point to start gathering support. Anticipate the need for support as soon as you leave rehab.

Learn about protracted withdrawal.

Learning about PAWS can help you understand it and manage it more effectively. Read about the condition, attend support groups for people in recovery, and commit to addiction counseling. The more you know about protracted withdrawal, the less alone you’ll feel as you navigate it. 

Find Treatment and Support

If you or a loved one needs support to manage protracted withdrawal, contact the Moving Mountains Recovery specialists. Contact our intake team to learn about our holistic treatment and support programs or to schedule an intake appointment. 

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What is Protracted Withdrawal?

Drug and alcohol addiction can lead to long-lasting harm. Living with addiction can harm your body, mind, relationships, and other aspects of your life. 

Ongoing or heavy substance abuse can change the way the brain and body function. These changes can make it very challenging for people to stop using addictive substances when they choose.

Many people require comprehensive medical detox programs to stop using addictive substances. Detox programs can help people manage withdrawal symptoms that make detox very challenging. 

Understanding the detox process can also help people prepare for each stage. This article will explore a condition called protracted withdrawal. You will learn:

  • What happens during withdrawal
  • The symptoms of protracted withdrawal
  • How to manage protracted withdrawal
  • Where to find treatment that supports long-term recovery

If you or someone you love needs support or treatment during detox, reach out to the Moving Mountains Recovery specialists. We are happy to answer your questions and help you schedule an intake appointment. 

Don’t wait another day to get the support you deserve. Contact us today to start your recovery journey. 

What Happens During Withdrawal?

People who abuse drugs or alcohol for a long period of time may develop physical dependence. People with active addiction and physical dependence cannot typically choose to stop using these substances. Dependence means that the body must have a substance to function.

When people with dependence on a substance suddenly stop taking it, they typically experience withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms usually occur in two stages: acute withdrawal and protracted withdrawal.

Acute withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms depend on the substance a person is dependent on. Common symptoms of acute withdrawal include:

  • Cravings
  • Depression
  • Excessive sweating
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
  • Tremors

Some people develop more severe acute withdrawal symptoms, including hallucinations and seizures.

These and other withdrawal symptoms can make people miserable as their body detoxifies. Many people struggle to avoid relapse during acute withdrawal. This stage of withdrawal may last days or weeks. 

Protracted withdrawal

Some people develop prolonged withdrawal symptoms that last months or years. This is called protracted withdrawal syndrome or post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). 

Those who develop PAWS experience psychological and physical symptoms. These include:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Cravings
  • Fatigues
  • Nightmares
  • Insomnia or sleep disturbances
  • Brain fog
  • Decreased ability to manage stress
  • Panic attacks
  • Low energy and motivation
  • Impulsivity
  • Irritability and mood swings

People with post-acute withdrawal symptoms may face a higher risk of relapse. They require intensive treatment and support to help prevent relapse and develop healthy coping strategies.  

Recognizing the Symptoms of Post-Acute Withdrawal

The symptoms of PAWS can vary, depending on the substances a person used. Here is an overview of PAWS symptoms by substance. 

Cocaine

People with a history of cocaine addiction may develop prolonged withdrawal symptoms that last months after detox. Symptoms may include poor emotional regulation and impaired impulse control.

Opioids

People in recovery from opioid use disorder may experience dysphoria, executive function deficits, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Symptoms may last for months after detox. 

Methamphetamine

Meth is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. People may experience long-lasting executive functioning deficits after detox. 

Marijuana

People in recovery from marijuana abuse may experience months of nightmares and sleep disturbances.

Benzodiazepines

After detoxing from benzodiazepines, people may develop protracted withdrawal symptoms. These include panic attacks, anxiety, and agitation. Symptoms can last for weeks or months after detox. 

It is important to have the support of mental health and medical professionals throughout protracted withdrawal. Getting treatment can help people avoid relapse and other life-threatening complications as their bodies work to correct chemical imbalances after detox. 

How to Manage Protracted Withdrawal

Developing protracted withdrawal syndrome can feel like a major setback to those in recovery. It can feel discouraging to live with lingering withdrawal symptoms. Some may feel as though withdrawal will last forever.

People may become mentally and physically exhausted by PAWS. However, getting support and taking other proactive steps can help people manage their symptoms and stay focused on recovery. 

Here are some strategies people can use to manage protracted withdrawal symptoms.

Practice self-care

Taking care of your body and mind can help you feel your best, even while managing the long-lasting side effects of withdrawal. This may include:

  • Eating regular, nutritious meals
  • Staying socially active
  • Exercising regularly
  • Practicing mindfulness
  • Avoiding your triggers
  • Sleeping well and resting often

These strategies can help people improve their mental and physical health as their body heals after addiction.

Find support

Support can mean different things to different people. For some, it means seeking medically supported treatment. For others, it means finding a support group and building their social circle. 

Support is essential during withdrawal–especially for those living with PAWS. Don’t wait until you are at a low point to start gathering support. Anticipate the need for support as soon as you leave rehab.

Learn about protracted withdrawal.

Learning about PAWS can help you understand it and manage it more effectively. Read about the condition, attend support groups for people in recovery, and commit to addiction counseling. The more you know about protracted withdrawal, the less alone you’ll feel as you navigate it. 

Find Treatment and Support

If you or a loved one needs support to manage protracted withdrawal, contact the Moving Mountains Recovery specialists. Contact our intake team to learn about our holistic treatment and support programs or to schedule an intake appointment. 

Get Addiction Help Now

Call Us Now (973) 315-6121

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