It’s important to keep in mind that recovery is a healing process. There is not quick fix for addiction treatment. We must be honest, open-minded, and willing if we want to change our lives for the better and break free from our addiction. Recovery is possible, but it takes time for our mind, body, and spirit to heal from the damage done during our time in active addiction. Healing begins the moment we decide to take the first step on the journey of recovery be detoxifying our bodies of any remnants of drugs and alcohol. Afterwards, we begin to notice positive changes in our mood and disposition. The world feels new, our perceptions are heightened, and we begin to truly feel again. However, we aren’t out of the woods quite yet. Once the physical dependence is removed, we have to vigorously engage in our program of recovery if we wish to break the patterns of behavior that controlled us in our addiction. The chemistry of our brain was physiologically changed from substance abuse, and even after detoxification there is the possibility of reoccurrence of symptoms. This is known as Post-Acute Withdrawal, or PAWS. According to the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Brain Behavior: “It is thought that PAWS is the result of physiologic changes that occur in the brain as a result of substance abuse. During drug abuse the brain makes adaptations to accommodate for the changes in available neurotransmitters, and these changes can result in excitability when levels of these neurotransmitters change during abstinence. Scientists hypothesize that that the brain’s capacity to deal with stress is reduced with prolonged substance abuse and the related withdrawal experiences.” Common symptoms of PAWS can include cognitive difficulty, irritability, anxiety, depression, sensitivity to stress, and sleep disturbances. PAWS symptoms lessen overtime and are dependent upon the duration and nature of one’s addiction, but can last anywhere from weeks to years. PAWS symptoms can occur unpredictably, presenting challenges to the maintenance of sobriety and prevention of relapse. However, symptoms are entirely manageable through treatment and aftercare therapy programs that help a person develop coping strategies.
Sobriety is possible when you decide to change the story of your life. Oceanfront Recovery, a men’s treatment center in beautiful Laguna Beach, is dedicated to providing the highest quality care as you transition into a life of sobriety. Oceanfront offers a variety of individualized treatment options to guide you through the process of recovery from addiction and alcoholism. For more information about treatment programs, please call today: (877)279-1777
