You may think withdrawal from substance abuse only refers to the immediate physical symptoms experienced when your body is trying to adjust to NOT having drugs and/or alcohol in its system. We are all mostly aware of some of the more obvious signs of withdrawal: shaking, sweating, racing heartbeat, muscle twitches, insomnia and acute anxiety. 

But did you know PAWS symptoms can occur 7-14 days after your last drink, even after the acute withdrawal symptoms recede?  Did you know recovery from nervous system damage requires 6-24 months in a healthy program of recovery? 

On this show we will talk more about PAWS, share our own stories about how we were effected by the myriad of physical and psychological symptoms that can be experienced, and share ways to ameliorate the effect of PAWS.  You do not have to be a long-time heavy drinker to experience these uncomfortable side effects, and understanding them can be to maintaining your sobriety, especially in the early days.