Inpatient Drug Rehab – Dealing with Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome

Inpatient drug rehab facilities across the United States help thousands of addicts achieve lasting sobriety each year. However, a condition called Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome – or PAWS – threatens the recoveries of most people who go through inpatient drug rehab. PAWS sets in immediately after the withdrawal of detoxification subsides, and its symptoms often keep patients from effectively engaging their therapies. Thankfully, most clinics now make PAWS mitigation a top priority. Almost every recovering addict reports at least some of its symptoms, and many experts believe it is actually experienced by every single rehab patient. Here are some of the most common symptoms of PAWS. *Continued drug cravings *Social Anxiety Disorder *Paranoid feelings *Constant sadness *Loss of motor skills *Lack of focus *Schizophrenia *New cravings for food or different drugs *Emotional numbness *Frequent overreaction or emotional outbursts *Sleeping problems *Inability to communicate effectively with friends, family, or coworkers *Decreased pain tolerance Overall, people attending inpatient drug rehab usually experience some of the same symptoms as they did during detox, but with less severity. Still, the continuation of these symptoms can make it impossible for addicts to productively participate in counseling, group discussions, and other proven therapies. The following are ways in which rehab clinics help their patients deal with PAWS symptoms. *Medication Although it can dangerous to prescribe new drugs to people who have displayed addictive behavior patterns, certain medication can be extremely useful for treating PAWS. This is especially true for people with co-occurring mental illnesses. Anti-depressants can help people suffering from depression or anxiety to suppress their symptoms enough to work on long-term coping strategies. *Nutrition and Exercise Many inpatient drug rehab clinics emphasize physical health along with mental and emotional well-being. Proper nutrition and regular exercise can help addicts feel well enough to effectively engage their therapies. Vigorous exercise can also release endorphins – a process which can actually calm drug cravings. Many addicts require additional PAWS mitigation after they leave their clinics. Inpatient drug rehab lasts for one to three months, but these symptoms can linger for years. Here are some of the ways drug addicts can address their post acute withdrawal in the outside world: *Venting Talking about problems with close friends and family members is often the best way to alleviate the mental and emotional stress of PAWS. *Goal-oriented Living Many recovering addicts have trouble finding meaning or purpose in their lives. A lack of drive or focus is often a cause of relapse, so one of the best ways to address PAWS and stay positive is to set daily goals. Addicts who give themselves something specific to live for every day often find it much easier to avoid returning to drugs. *Self-Reflection PAWS can exacerbate addicts’ threat of relapse for years after their treatments are complete. To guard against the negative thoughts and emotions which lead to drug use, addicts must constant evaluate themselves according to the personal discoveries they made during individual counseling sessions. In doing so, they can protect themselves their personal addiction triggers. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, click the links below to find a treatment center near you. Addiction is a clinical, neurological disease which requires medical treatment. An inpatient drug rehab program can help you get back on your feet and get on with your life.

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