Comments for What...Me Sober?

Comment on by Bill

Bill — Sun, 27 May 2012 14:55:14 +0000

I’m not entirely sure what this is about, but all comments are welcome!
Bill

Comment on by Alisson

Alisson — Sun, 27 May 2012 07:37:46 +0000

Hi Adrienne,Thanks for stopping by the other day. Being the nosey type that I am, I just had to track back to here.It’s so very rfneeshirg to see a dedicated site for the materials that so many of us so desperately need. I actually started an ODAT series precisely because I couldn’t find a site like this.You can be sure I’ll be here daily to read the newest posts.Sincerely,Dan.

Comment on Sponsor Stuff (Part 1) — Sunrise Detox Blog by Hedwig

Hedwig — Sat, 26 May 2012 23:08:17 +0000

I think that was a terrific way to find hope dunrig a time when life can be very dark in a parent’s life. I will be speaking to a group of recovering young people soon about a book I have written on our family’s journey through my son’s alcoholism. Fortunately he is in recovery and has been sober almost two years, but there were some very challenging days as his mom while he was in the thoes of his addiction. I, too, looked for any and all rays of hope glad you posted this idea!

Comment on Why We Don’t Get Better Immediately: Post-acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) by Bill

Bill — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:28:53 +0000

Just a note, Wes. It’s not uncommon for cannabis users to have prolonged post-acute symptoms.

Comment on Why We Don’t Get Better Immediately: Post-acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) by Wesley

Wesley — Sat, 12 May 2012 08:31:43 +0000

More annoyed now this happens to me. My mind races, have severe anxiety, and im in fear. I recognize this, and i deal with it with meditation. Just relax in your own way. The only thing i hate my breathing seem so tight. But anxiety tightens everything up. You have been clean for a year and your still having bad symptoms? How often a month, and how many consecative days do you get this?

Comment on Why We Don’t Get Better Immediately: Post-acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) by Wesley

Wesley — Sat, 12 May 2012 08:22:26 +0000

Hey Radha.. i am experiencing the same thing with PAWS. I freak out there is something wrong with my body.. i know it’s anxiety trying to get the best of me. .this will go on for some time, around 10 days.. then subside for 3 to 5 weeks.. i have improved greatly from october.. and im hoping all i need is more time. Another thing is, i feel like im suffercating, my breathing is over analyzed.. like ocd. It’s a bit of rigid thinking. I have a bit of generalized anxiety, i don’t like being in public anymore during paws. I know this should subside, im still in early recovery.
I’ve hooked up ekg units at my university, and my heart is fine.. but i freak out something is going wrong. I am about the same age as you. My memory is still not perfect amongst other problems that deal with paws. So i know i have ways to go. Meditating works for me.. close your eyes and relax. Be around positive peopleved ones
Just as in bill states in his section. My paws hits me now, and im more annoyed my mind

Comment on Why We Don’t Get Better Immediately: Post-acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) by Bill

Bill — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:58:35 +0000

Hi again, Radha,

I’m no endocrinologist (heck, I can hardly even spell it), but there has been some mention in the literature of loss of sexual appetite. As far as I know, there is no connection with PMS nor with gross hormonal changes. The one could, of course, be aggravating the other in terms of symptoms. Certainly the depression associated with PAWS could affect both arousal and energy levels.

Some folks have found that capsules of soy extract seem to help with the discomfort of PMS. As always, check with your physician before using any so-called “natural” remedies if you are taking any prescription medications. It’s a good idea to research carefully anyway. Just because something is “natural” does not mean it is necessarily harmless — and there’s nothing natural about plant extracts anyway.

As long as things are getting better, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Continue self-care, and try to have a bit of fun.

Bill

Comment on Why We Don’t Get Better Immediately: Post-acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) by Radha

Radha — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:37:47 +0000

Thanks for replying Bill. I have been meaning to ask you one more thing, is it also attributable to marijuana withdrawal and PAWS that I pms more and my hormones have gone haywire and I am hardly sexually aroused… Its getting better every month but do you think these things are related? And one last thing, is it normal to experience fatigue even after a year of quitting? I mean i am a lot less fatigued than before but still not as active as i was when i was still smoking the greens. Thanks a ton in advance for ur time and patience.

Comment on Why We Don’t Get Better Immediately: Post-acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) by Newly Sober? PAWS Still Has You In Its Claws! | What…Me Sober?

Newly Sober? PAWS Still Has You In Its Claws! | What…Me Sober? — Sat, 05 May 2012 16:57:51 +0000

[...] and Spirituality ThingWhat About the Way I Drink?Denial Ain’t a River in AfricaWhy We Don’t Get Better Immediately: Post-acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)What About All Those Meetings?Well, What About Them? Going to MeetingsCheers, without [...]

Comment on Why We Don’t Get Better Immediately: Post-acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) by Bill

Bill — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:56:08 +0000

Hi Radha,

I’m sorry to hear about your health problems. I know of no way that cannabis could have caused them, and your symptoms were certainly consistent with kidney problems. Congratulations on getting off the marijuana and hash. As you have discovered, the many statements to the effect that cannabis is harmless are pure baloney. I’ve seen too many people suffering prolonged PAWS after quitting to buy that.

Regarding your anxiety about your body: I am not prepared to say that it is not related to PAWS, but there could be other emotional issues involved as well. Therefore, all I can tell you is that if it is PAWS-related, the issue should slowly resolve itself. I suggest that if the anxiety continues to worsen you might want to consult a physician about it. Anxiety, when it is not drug-induced, tends to worsen rather than abating on its own. It could prove to be a real problem.

Overall, it sounds like you have a great attitude, and I would expect you to respond to treatment well. Regarding medication: some of the commonly-used antianxiety medications are addictive, principally the benzodiazepines (Ativan, Valium, Xanax, etc.). There are others that work well. I suggest discussing any medications with a pharmacist as well as your physician. Doctors mean well, but most of them know less about addiction than I know about high-energy physics.

Take care of yourself, stay in touch, and

Keep on keepin’ on!

Bill