More Than Just a Hangover: Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome

post-acute-withdrawal-syndrome

Alcoholism goes by many different names. Dependence, crutch, wasted, drunk; we have all either done it or seen someone intoxicated.

We find ourselves rewarded with alcohol. It is ingrained in almost every part of our society in the Western world.

Around fifteen percent of individuals in the Western world have issues of alcoholism at a certain point in time.

Approximately half of the people with alcoholism will experience withdrawal side effects through decreasing their consumption, with a small majority having extreme symptoms. Of those with severe symptoms, and some will even die. The symptoms of post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) are not something you want. 

You may be feeling lost; what steps should you take to prevent PAWS or alcoholism?

Suppose you feel as though you have a growing dependence on alcohol. In that case, you may want to help yourself before it develops into something more.

What Is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome?

PAWS is also commonly referred to as a “binge” style of drinking. Binge drinking is when someone purposely sets out to become inebriated, and they love the sensation of being intoxicated. This behavior can quickly become a destructive issue.

It involves drinking a disproportionate quantity of alcohol within a brief period. 

Binge drinking is the most harmful alcohol use pattern, contributing to the most dangerous complications from alcohol. Those who drink just once a week will do a lot of harm. During binge drinking, the body becomes overloaded with toxins.

This overload can eventually lead to a deterioration of the liver and other essential organs in your body. 

Symptoms of withdrawl can include:

  • Feeling Shaky 
  • Being overwhelmingly tired
  • Feeling Irritable 
  • Anxiety
  • Increased heart rate
  • Vomiting 
  • Fever
  • Hallucinations 

It can quickly lead to alcohol poisoning, and it can be potentially fatal. 

Those people who drink binge drink are also more likely to experience alcoholism. 

The Difference Between Drinking And A Problem

It is not until a person becomes an alcoholic until they start to experience the harmful effects of their substance abuse, including liver disease and many other health problems. 

While this can happen, their habit is more likely to lead to injuries. These injuries occur because, when people are intoxicated, their judgment is compromised, and so are their motor abilities. 

Those people who drink binge drink are also more likely to commit suicide. Alcohol increases impulsiveness and inhibits people’s ability to think correctly. 

Binge drinking or post-acute withdrawal syndrome can lead to symptoms of depression

This drinking habit also contributes to blackouts. This form of amnesia means that a person cannot recall the periods when they were inebriated.

When You Need To Call It Quits

It would help if you listened to your body. You have common sense. The truth is alcohol detox maybe even worse. You will need help when you decide to end your toxic behavior. Rehab is a terrifying thought for most people in this situation.

Hangovers are common, but it’s the continual cycle of being drunk and feeling the effects of your behavior that can be painful both physically and mentally.

Mental distress and emotional disturbances are widespread when dealing with the endless addiction and recovery periods of alcoholism.

You have probably had enough—you have been either hungover or drunk for too long. 

Inpatient rehab is not what the movies make it out to be. Rehabilitation at a facility can genuinely be healing for people who feel stuck in their patterns with alcohol. A change in setting can often help people reach their goals because of the added support and validation. 

Rehab with a team working to serve your specific needs can finally help those seeking answers to feel validated. You can overcome your hurdle of addiction and move on with your life. You can find your purpose once again.

Find People Who Understand You

Rehabilitation and recovery from substance abuse should be immersive. You have hurt many different parts of yourself for quite some time. Your actions are why you have found yourself in an inpatient rehab program.

You have not just been hungover for however long you were suffering.

You need to find a team of people who can help you get better and put your destructive past behind you. They need to help you address all those pieces of yourself you have hurt. You will need therapy, both mentally and physically. 

The recovery from substance dependence requires attention to many different parts of your body. Depending on the state you are in, you will probably need a team of doctors.

When you are looking for a rehab facility, make sure you ask questions. What does the particular place you have in mind offer? Can they address all your needs and concerns? 

You have first to visit a family doctor to determine if you have damaged yourself physically. After this visit, you can begin to assess different detox programs and see if they would meet your needs. 

The right rehab program will make getting clean and experience that will truly enrich your life.

In The End, You Will Have to Help Yourself

Once you have admitted you have a dependency, put yourself through rehab, and made it through detox; now you have to avoid relapse.

You got this.

Having post-acute withdrawal syndrome is not pretty. It will show you the most deranged parts of yourself, but you will bounce back. You will stay far away from relapse.

How can this be true? 

Because you have made it this far, congratulations, you have conquered your demons. There is no way you’d want to reduce yourself to that again.

Take this second chance you’ve made for yourself, kick the door down. Live the life you were supposed to have. Be proud of what you accomplished; it is not for the weak.

If you or someone you love needs to enter rehabilitation, find peace and healing, and visit our site for what our facility has to offer.