Post-acute-withdrawal syndrome

Post-acute-withdrawal syndrome
Synonyms	PAWS, Protracted withdrawal syndrome
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Fatigue, Irritability, Mood swings, Cognitive impairment
Complications	Relapse
Onset	After acute withdrawal
Duration	Weeks to months
Types	N/A
Causes	Substance use disorder, Alcohol use disorder, Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, Opioid use disorder
Risks	Chronic use of addictive substances
Diagnosis	Clinical assessment
Differential diagnosis	Acute withdrawal, Mood disorder, Anxiety disorder
Prevention	Gradual tapering of substances, Psychotherapy, Support groups
Treatment	Cognitive behavioral therapy, Medication, Supportive care
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Varies; can improve with treatment
Frequency	Common in individuals with substance use disorder
Deaths	N/A

Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (often abbreviated as PAWS) is a set of persistent impairments that occur after withdrawal from alcohol, opiates, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and other substances. Individuals with PAWS experience a variety of symptoms from a constellation of psychiatric and physical health issues. These symptoms include mood swings, irritability, fatigue, variable energy, trouble with sleep, difficulty with cognitive and executive functions, and difficulty in maintaining social relationships.

Symptoms

The symptoms of PAWS include:

• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Variable energy
• Trouble with sleep
• Difficulty with cognitive and executive functions
• Difficulty in maintaining social relationships

Causes

PAWS is caused by the lingering effects of drug or alcohol addiction. The brain chemistry of the individual is altered due to the substance abuse, and it takes time for the brain to return to its normal state. This can result in a variety of symptoms that can last for weeks, months, or even years after the individual has stopped using the substance.

Treatment

Treatment for PAWS typically involves a combination of medication and therapy. Medication can help to manage the symptoms, while therapy can help the individual to develop coping strategies and to address any underlying issues that may have contributed to the substance abuse in the first place.

See also

• Withdrawal
• Substance abuse
• Addiction

References

This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia