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PAWS Handout

Paws

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2K views3 pages

PAWS Handout

Paws

Uploaded by

haloandred7790
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (P.A.W.S.

What are they? Managing P.A.W. symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms that occur after 1. Stabilization: Talk honestly to people


the acute phase of withdrawal is over. who will not accuse, criticize or minimize
about how you are feeling.

How long do they last? 2. Education: Learning about all aspects


of recovery from chemical dependency
It depends on how much stress a person helps keep P.A.W.S. in perspective.
experiences in early recovery and how
much damage was done to their nervous 3. Self-protective behaviour: You are
system by alcohol or drug misuse. responsible for protecting yourself from
Usually the symptoms last from six threats to your sobriety.
months to two years.
4. Nutrition: Well-balanced meals and
nutritious snacks throughout the day;
Why are they important? limiting caffeine and sugar.

Because P.A.W.S. can lead to relapse if 5. Exercise: Recommended daily


not managed properly (e.g., “white- exercise, to reduce tension
knuckle sobriety”).
6. Relaxation: Also daily, and includes
having fun!
Types of P.A.W. symptoms:
1. Difficulty in thinking clearly 7. Spirituality: This means different
2. Difficulty in managing feelings and things to different people.
emotions
3. Memory problems 8. Balanced living: Taking care of
4. Difficulty in recognizing and responsibilities AND yourself.
managing stress
5. Difficulty in sleeping restfully
6. Difficulty with physical coordination.
-From: Gorski, T. and Miller, M., Staying Sober – A guide
for Relapse Prevention; 1986 (permission to come).
Post-Acute Withdrawal (PAW) Checklist
(Rate the symptoms you have experienced over the last 24 hrs from 1-3: 1=minimal;
2=moderate; 3=severe)
Day S M T W T F S

Feelings and Emotions


Overreacting emotionally; getting angry over
little things
Feeling emotionally overwhelmed
Having little or no feelings
Mood swings: up and down like a yo-yo
Feeling down/ depressed
Strong Fear/ Anxiety
Strong Anger/ Resentment

Memory Difficulties
Forgetting things shortly after hearing or
learning them
Difficulty recalling events from the past

Difficulty with Thinking Clearly


Trouble concentrating: mind wanders
Difficulty putting thoughts together: losing train
of thought
Problems figuring things out
Rigid and repetitive thinking: thinking about the
same things over and over
Trouble understanding abstract concepts or
ideas

Sleep Disturbance
Trouble getting to sleep
Waking up through the night
Sleeping for a long period of time
Sleeping very little
Always feeling tired
Drinking/ Using Dreams
Strange Dreams/ Nightmares
Managing Stress
Feeling overwhelmed by surroundings
Sensitive to sights, sounds and touch
Difficulty filtering out background noises and
sights
Other PAW symptoms are worse when under
stress
Overreacting when under stress: lashing out/
withdrawing

Physical Coordination Difficulties


Dizzy/ lightheaded
Trouble with balance: tripping, stumbling, falling
Clumsiness: bumping into things, dropping things
Slow reflexes
Trouble with hand- eye coordination: difficulty
picking up small objects

What PAW Symptoms have been giving you the most difficulty?

How can you manage your PAW symptoms?

1. _______________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________

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