The Truth About Recovery | Post Acute Withdrawal | Video 2

[@DRKJFOSTER]

This is the 2nd video, and initial launch, of my FREE 7-Day Family Recovery Training. A video will be released each day over the next 7 days. Did you find this video helpful? Share your experience and help others 💜

[@jaysins]

@drkjfoster what has been your experience with RLS for those opioid users in withdrawal? RLS has been brutal but doesn't exist when back on the prescription for pain.

[@professorlayabout4878]

This is incredibly accurate, way more so than most “recovery” resources. Well done!

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thank you!

[@jaysins]

RLS coming off of opioids is the absolute worst. It doesn't stop. It's absolutely brutal.

[@dellwendybrown2713]

Great information! Just wanted to speak about prescribed drug withdrawal. Don't hear much about it 😕. I am into month 14 off antidepressants and benzos. I was on for over 25 years. Withdrawal has been brutal -- no that is an understatement -- it has been hell. I have a feeling the P.A.W.S. period for me is going to be a LOT longer than 2 years. BUT it is so great not to be dependent on a taking a stupid pill every day and not having to visit the Dr. for prescription renewal. It is a lonely journey into to the darkness of the soul with lots of twists and turns and rock bottom falls.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thank you for sharing dellwendy. Unfortunately, as you have described, benzo withdrawal is one of the most brutal and can produce all kinds of uncomfortable sensations, especially when you have used them for the length of time you have. It's good that you are prepared that your PAWS may last longer than 2 years, because that is most likely going to be your experience. The good news is that you have achieved 14 months!! Congratulations, that's so awesome 💪🎉💜

[@evangelossioras311]

Hey how are you now?

[@DomBaconMusic]

How are you getting on now Wendy? I hope you're feeling better now

[@Filthycoffin]

Hi how are you doing? I’m almost a year in cold turkey antidepressant kolonopin Lunesta and several antipsychotic meds. I also quit weed and cigarettes about 3 months now. I’m so ready for this to be over still don’t sleep really but maybe if I’m lucky 4hrs a week total.

[@BigBadMF43]

@@Filthycoffin 4 hours of sleep per week? or per night?

[@yvonnedebeer9586]

Wow thank you for this video KJ. I never abused the benzos that was prescribed to me, it did a lot of damage. I'm 3 months off now, and I feel so tired and hopeless. Why do the doctors put such a dangerous drug in the hands of people. I wait for your video every week. God bless you.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thank you, Yvonne. I think the answer to your question is money. There is an incredible amount of money being made from these drugs. It's unfortunate.

[@1coolmister579]

This was great. I’m so glad that you went into detail about paws for pot users. Most people have no clue that you can experience paws from marijuana , and that it can last a long time. They believe once they have gone through the acute that they are out of the woods. Most people think that marijuana isn’t harmful to the brain and can do damages. Well I’ve experienced it first hand. It was my drug of choice for 25 years. Everything you mentioned about paws marijuana is dead on. My paws earlier on was horrific, I had very few good days. Yes it is like a roller coaster because I’ve went months with no symptoms, (I’ve been clean for 26 months by the way) only to experience a recent few days of symptoms. I thought that after two years I was out of the woods. But like you said it can go on more than 2 years for several reasons. And mine is from the long duration of usage. 25 years of daily use is a long time. I just wanted prove that paws is a real thing, and that you’re are so on point.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Mac. I'm sure it's going to help others. I agree that your duration of use will contribute to a longer PAWS experience. Congrats on your 26 months! That's so awesome 💜🎉💪

[@1coolmister579]

@@DRKJFOSTER Thank you!

[@DomBaconMusic]

How are you getting on now 1Cool? Ive just hit 1 year sober from Cannabis and have had PAWS the entire time. I had a couple of good weeks recently but yesterday and today has been another wave. Quite upsetting when i felt i was getting through the other side. I know i just need to keep going and keep pushing forward and hope the better days come again soon. Thanks for your post as weed paws is real and horrible

[@1coolmister579]

@@DomBaconMusic I am doing well, it has taken me close to three years to feel like I've gotten to the other side. I truly understand the disappointments of feeling great then suddenly seem like no progress is being made. But as time passes on you're getting closer and closer to relief. Yep keep pushing forward

[@DomBaconMusic]

@@1coolmister579 glad you're feeling better and thanks for the reply. I know ive just got to keep fighting this and push through. It concerns me that imo there are going to be many more people that will have to endure Cannabis paws since legalisation and medical use especially with the high strength that is available now. Scary times potentially for many users quitting

[@paulavincent5515]

I’m preparing my self to support my son when he decides to stop drinking until blackout. On this journey I’m learning things about my self. I was a binge drinker, in my youth and into my young adult hood. I also had an alcoholic father.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

The best support you can provide for your son is your own education, change and growth. Sounds like you're off to a great start.

[@Army1SGRetired]

This is really fantastic KJ. As I have said before, you cover PAWS more thoroughly than anyone else. I think it is so important to plan for that 2 years, and if it resolves quicker then great, but if not, you won't be frustrated or second guessing whether you are healing. I'm 16 months alcohol free and almost 13 months benzo free (prescribed). I think quitting both in close succession really gave me a double dose of PAWS. I also deal with significant work stress and I imagine that is hampering my recovery as well as my stress always seems to be elevated. I still experience a lot of fatigue, some anhedonia, anxiety, and depression to some degree. I try not to sabotage myself by worrying that I won't recover and a 2 year timeline is what I should plan for, but it can certainly be difficult to stay positive for such a long stretch. Bless you

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thanks, Ed. It's great to hear from you. It's a diffucult environment we're in right now, especially for those trying to stay on the recovery path. Glad to know you are getting through your PAWS and that you are continuing to move forward 💜💪🙏

[@Army1SGRetired]

@@DRKJFOSTER hi KJ, great to hear from you as well. I'm still following along and keeping up on your content. Yes, its a difficult environment we're all in now, we need to continue to hunker down a bit and let the storm pass, meanwhile doing our best to continue on the recovery path.

[@DomBaconMusic]

How are you getting on now Ed? Hope you're feeling better finally

[@kanikanewsome6305]

You are good you know your stuff I appreciate all of this good wisdom thank you🙏🏾

[@DRKJFOSTER]

You are so welcome, Kanika! Thanks for watching.

[@raggedynomo1974]

You did an amazing job with this video. Thank you so much for making it.❤❤❤

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@lil_debbie]

Thank you for this video. I've been trying to figure out what's wrong with me - I forgot about PAWS ❤

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Glad it was helpful.

[@rosieborsellino703]

Thank you so much God bless you always amen ❤️🙏❤️🙏

[@DRKJFOSTER]

You are so welcome. Same to you, Rosie.

[@karencondon2003]

Thanks I really needed that💖The Best info ever !!!

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thanks, Karen. Glad you found it helpful💜💜💜❗

[@JesusistheOnlyWay222]

Thank you so much..sooo helpful 💖

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Love your screen name 💜👍🙏 Glad you found it helpful.

[@junkequation]

This must be what i'm experiencing, paws, but the description does not sound like what's happening to me. 4 months after stopping opiates, it still feels like acute withdrawal, like acute withdrawal starts overwhelming and super, imperceptivity slowly decreases. 4 months later, I haven't had a day where i felt good. I feel horrible every day. The only time I feel alright is right after I wake up from a little sleep, but once i get up, within 15 minutes the anhedonia, 0 energy, shaking limbs returns.

[@martymcfly7743]

Thank you so much for this video. I am currently going through Paws and the up and down cycles are exactly as you described. I made it to 9 months and got on antidepressants due to my last paws anxiety episode being too strong. I am now 14 months sober and am looking to get off antidepressants very soon. I was really scared to go on antidepressants in fear that it would slow or stop my brain recovery. I would love some feedback when you have a moment. Thank you once again for this video.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Hi Marty - I'm glad to know you found the video helpful. I'm not a medical doctor, my PhD is in education. I don't give any medical advice, but do believe in MAT for those who struggle with relapse. I, personally, took advantage of anti-depressants in my early recovery and it really helped me. I only used them for 3-4 months, but it just depends on your personal health history in terms of how long you will need them. Whatever you do, don't just stop taking them. Make sure your doctor weans you off of them properly.

[@19Jetta]

Very helpful information.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DomBaconMusic]

Dr Foster, thank you for this. How long did you suffer with paws after giving up alcohol ?

[@DRKJFOSTER]

In total, I would say it was about 2 years. But not to let that get you worried, it's not like I had PAWS for 2 years straight. It was intermittent, off and on. I went long stretches without experiencing any symptoms.

[@ddtt958]

I used to drink a lot before. I've been sober about 7 months. I suspect the alcohol has damaged my brain a bit (gaba receptors etc). I feel better now than I did when I first decided to quit but I still deal with some anxiety and depression though I probably had that to a smaller degree while I was drinker also but I just didn't notice it then. I think my brain is slowly recovering. Would I set my recovery back or damage my brain receptors etc more if I were to use benzodiazepines for example in small amounts maybe once a month?

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Congrats on your 7 months. Yes, I believe it would set your recovery back to use benzos even in small quantities.

[@ddtt958]

@@DRKJFOSTER Thank you

[@gardenofvalhalla9329]

How long can PAWS episodes last? Ive had the cognitive/ memory ( constant brainfog) , dizziness spells, and anxiety for almost a month straight.

[@gardenofvalhalla9329]

All hit after 8 months sober and feeling fine. (From alchohol)

[@DRKJFOSTER]

It varies depending upon a variety of factors. It's different for different people based upon substances, duration of use, quantity, and any personal health factors. What you describe is not inheard of.

[@gardenofvalhalla9329]

I'm just hoping I'm not stuck like this.

[@michelle-yd7sr]

Is it possible to have paws from only using a benzo for 30 doses over 1.5 months?

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Yes, it is. Sorry for the delayed response. I just came across your comment today.

[@Kyle-pj2vc]

Hm, maybe it's not PAWs then... It's weird because after I binge drank, I felt terrible for the first week completely bed ridden, and then I got this constant tension headache mixed with cognitive issues and focusing. 2 months later the tension headaches, tinnitus, and cognitive issues are still there but slowly improving All my symptoms are constant though.. the brain fog, tension headaches, and muscle tension are the worst and they never go away... This all started by drinking, maybe neuropathy? I have no clue. Could PAWs be different for everyone? This doesn't make sense to me, I went to my doctors and all I have is chronic hypertension, and they couldn't find anything else. Developed the hypertension after binge drinking?

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Yes, it impacts people differently. There are many factors that come into play, including health history. I hope you found some of the suggestions helpful.

[@Kyle-pj2vc]

@@DRKJFOSTER yes I did thank you very much

[@sangeetalambh6389]

@@Kyle-pj2vc how r u now