Post Adderall Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)

[Greg]

I had no clue what PAWS was before Cassie mentioned it but since have been reading a lot about it and it has been really helpful.

PAWS is actually called Post "Acute" Withdrawal Syndrome but after I read a bunch of webpages on PAWS I have re-nicknamed this Post-"Adderall" Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) because I felt it so accurately described adderall withdrawal, and how it manifests itself...at least what ive been going through and in how I've been experiencing adderall withdrawal since quitting...After quitting, PAWS was like, a new part of my life that I have had to get used to and know and eventually become very familiar with.

When I was reading about PAWS, right away, I saw that I was reading about myself...in terms of how adderall withdrawal has taken its toll on me since I quit.

I still have have good days and bad days. The bad days are more intermittent now. But I still have bad days (like yesterday...yesterday was a really bad day!! in general the week has been full of bad withdrawal days). My withdrawal episodes have come at random and with seemingly no rhyme or reason And I get really frustrated about it. Especially if I've been feeling pretty ok for a stretch of time. (although being tired will definitely increase chances of a strong bout of PAWS)

Some notes I jotted down -

- Withdrawal symptoms persist after quitting because of disturbances in neurotransmitters and need to restore balance

- Brains ability to react to stress has been weakened

- Nicknamed PAWS of Death

- PAWS dissipates over time!! (Good stretches get longer and longer)

- Know not to overreact to it!!!

- Withdrawals go from more frequent to less frequent over time...

- Withdrawal episodes come and go in a wave like pattern...work to gain confidence it will lift

- get shorter in duration...and more intermittent over time

And last but not least...(k, where's the drumroll??)

- PAWS will eventually come to an end!!!!

This was the best news from my research. Just knowing that there are all these people who have studied it, researched it and written about it and that they all have come to the consensus that it eventually comes to an end...and that there will be a day for me when a general feeling of withdrawal or when stronger withdrawal episodes are not just more intermittent and shorter in duration but completely gone altogether..made me feel really positive about this! I think of the day my withdrawal symptoms will come to an end altogether as the day my adderall 'jail sentence' comes to an end. It helps me to focus on the end goal.

Anyway, anyone interested in learning more about what adderall withdrawal symptoms are normal or what to expect after quitting, like Cassie, I recommend learning more about PAWS. I googled Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome and found a bunch of webpages written up about it. They webpages on PAWS were posted by different sources like addiction specialists...or addiction and rehab centers information pages etc etc.. There was also a forum board (not currently active though) on PAWS. Anyway all this made me feel a lot better.

Yesterday I had a killer attack of PAWS...And... just... in recent days I haven't been feeling too well...Yesterday I felt like my PAWS was taunting me almost, with feelings of pleasure that would come from taking stimulants again. Of course, that would never happen in a million years but it is always frustrating when my PAWS acts up...

Today though when I woke up I was feeling a lot better which was a very big relief...

[Kathleen]

I am happy you are feeling better:)

I read a lot of your posts and you always have something interesting, and-or resourceful to add!

How long have you been clean? Do you exercise frequently?

[Greg]

Hey Kathleen, thanks! I have read a lot of your posts too. It's great to know you are clean and you have a great mindset about going forward. We'll all get through this.

I was exercising a lot recently and it definitely helps. But I haven't been consistent about it...Probably should be doing more.

Also, I'm at 18 months clean now.(yay!) & I pray for everyone that their withdrawal process goes quicker than mine...

By the way, I found this source helpful on understanding PAWS. This guy wrote a book about addiction recovery and he talks about PAWS on this webpage...I only read the part on his site about PAWS but it seems like he's put together a really good comprehensive website on addiction and recovery in general.

 

Here is a good link to a youtube video explanation about it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ynAgvHTy5k