Alcohol addiction treatment has come a long way over the last several decades. Now that doctors understand the neurological basis of addiction, clinical alcohol addiction treatment centers are able to help thousands of alcoholics achieve lasting sobriety every year. Unfortunately, a condition called Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome, or PAWS, threatens almost all rehab patients' recoveries. Setting in immediately after detox, PAWS makes it extremely difficult for addicts to effectively engage their therapies. PAWS can also linger for months or even years, making it difficult for alcoholics to avoid relapse. The following are some of them most common symptoms. *Continued alcohol cravings *New cravings for food or other drugs *Depression, paranoia, and anxiety *Mood swings *Constant overreaction or …show more content…
Because of this phenomenon, many recovering alcoholics have been dubbed "dry drunks." This term has contributed to society's stigma of alcoholism and is extremely frustrating for people who are struggling to avoid relapse. A vast majority of recovering alcoholics report at least some of these symptoms. Many medical experts actually believe that all addicts experience PAWS, and that current statistics are inaccurate. Because this condition is so common, alcohol addiction treatment centers have begun makings its PAWS mitigation a top priority in their recovery programs. Here are some of the most effective strategies for dealing with the symptoms. *Self-Reflection: During individual counseling sessions, alcoholics uncover the causes of their addictions and learn the people, places, and objects which trigger their compulsions to drink. To avoid succumbing to PAWS and relapsing, alcoholics must constantly reflect on their thoughts and behaviors, remember what they learned during treatment. By avoiding the negative thought patterns which lead to drinking, they can avoid temptations before they even