Post Acute Withdrawal Management

1. Post Acute Withdrawal Management

2. OBJECTIVE Student will identify additional PAW symptoms and learn new ways of managing them and why they occur. He will also understand the relationship between stress and PAW.

3. Review of PAW • Unmanaged PAW is part of the relapse syndrome • Stress heightens difficulty in thinking clearly, identifying • and managing emotions, and remembering things. • Symptoms of PAW may be caused by identifiable • stressors or may be the result of a build-up of • stressors interacting with a damaged nervous system. 4.The most common PAW problems are: • Difficulty in thinking clearly • Difficulty in managing feelings • Memory problems • Difficulty in sleeping restfully • Difficulty with psycho-motor coordination

4. Stress Management • MAINTAIN: Keep physically, socially and • psychologically fit Positive Attitude Exercise Good Diet Social Supports Balance work, recreation and relationships • MANAGE: Be in control of your life Manage interpersonal pressures – say what you want Manage your time (set and follow reasonable priorities Control environmental stressors (noise, ventilation, etc.)

5. MONITOR: Know yourself and signs of stress Physical signs of stress (headaches, muscle tension, Stomach upset, insomnia, high blood pressure, Frequent illness, ulcers/colitis, trembling, fatigue Low energy level. Emotional/behavioral signs of stress (tension, irritability, Fear, forgetfulness, trouble concentration, discouragement, Trouble relaxing. MANEUVER: To minimize physical or psycho- logical damage of stress when the stress cycle gets rolling Mind vacations and rehearsals Relaxation response Muscle tension exercises Deep breathing Talk to others Physical exercise

6. Remember: Hungry Angry Lonely Tired H A L T