Overcoming an addiction starts with detox. During this process, your body relearns how to function without the chemicals. The majority of withdrawal symptoms peaks at three days and ends after about five to seven days. However, a few individuals now report experiencing post-acute withdrawal syndrome.
Typical Withdrawal Symptoms
Each substance has its own set of withdrawal symptoms. They may include sweating, insomnia, muscle cramps, gastrointestinal upset, and flu-like symptoms. Psychologically, you may battle anxiety and depression. Some people report feeling as though they should be doing something, but they can’t figure out what that is.
At good-quality detox centers, experts help manage your physical withdrawal symptoms with medication. The goal is for you to end the chemical dependence without experiencing too much discomfort. To overcome the psychological addiction and its symptoms, therapists provide one-on-one talk therapy. Usually, you feel like you don’t have to use anymore after about ten days.
But some people report experiencing post-acute withdrawal syndrome. It’s not a condition that the majority of experts recognize at this point. For those suffering from it, though, it’s genuine indeed. What is it, and how can you deal with it?
Understanding Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
It can start at any time after you quit using drugs or alcohol. You feel like something’s not quite right. You’re unhappy, and this unhappiness morphs into a depression. Initially, you figure that it’s probably an after effect of the drug use and your body’s reaction to regaining equilibrium.
You may not sleep well and become overly emotional or angry about situations. Concurrently, you struggle with feelings of guilt for your behavior. You may face intense cravings for the drug that you used to take. A part of you struggles with the temptation to use just one time to feel better again.
For many, post-acute withdrawal syndrome puts them at a high risk for relapse. They are still in the first couple of months after withdrawal, and temptations can be intense. Some were not ready for this aspect of ending a drug and alcohol addiction. It’s possible to overcome post-acute withdrawal syndrome.
Dealing with the Problem
You might suffer from post-acute withdrawal syndrome if you tried to handle detox on your own. Your brain chemistry is not yet where it needs to be to manage neurotransmitter and endorphin release independently. As a result, you suffer from depression or anxiety. You may be dealing with an incomplete detox, which you can correct with a stay at a detox facility.
When you’ve been in recovery for a while, post-acute withdrawal syndrome may be a warning that stress is triggering you. In the past, you may have used a drug or alcohol to handle pressure. Now, you don’t have anything to fall back on. For this reason, good-quality detox centers offer you stress relief training before discharge.
Fortifying Yourself at the Initial Withdrawal Stage
Did you relapse? It’s okay to stumble. Return to detox for a do-over. In the process, let addiction specialists know that you think you may have experienced a bout of the syndrome.
Look for a detox center that does more than just help you wait out physical withdrawal symptoms. Excellent facilities will assist with psychological counseling, too. There, you might undergo treatments such as:
- Holistic approach to detox, which includes stress busters like meditation and Yoga
- Experiential therapy in the form of exercise routines that help with the natural release of endorphins
- Cognitive behavioral therapy to facilitate your ability to make changes to dysfunctional patterns you notice
- Dialectical behavior therapy that assists with emotional regulation in situations that you can’t change
- Group therapy sessions, which benefit program participants in need of building support with others
You don’t have to keep struggling with addiction. There’s real hope for change. Reach out to the caring therapists at Serenity House Detox & Recovery for assistance. Dial 866-294-5306 now to schedule an intake interview.