Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)

Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) is an uncomfortable, disruptive, and extremely common condition seen after detox from any number of different substances.  Chemical dependence on any substance that would require chemical detoxification predisposes patients to experiencing PAWS.   Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome is a prolonged state of low to moderate grade withdrawal symptoms that cause great discomfort and notoriously trigger severe drug cravings and relapses. 

Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome is a fully predictable and common consequence of poorly managed or excessively short detoxes.  PAWS is common with opiates, alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and tranquilizers.  The Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome caused by alcohol, barbiturate, and benzodiazepines is also a risk for late onset seizures.  PAWS is arguably the worst and longest lasting when originating from opioid use.  Suboxone and Methadone are infamous for protracted PAWS-states that can last over a year.  The PAWS from more conventional opiates can last a few months.  Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome is a condition that is fully treatable on an outpatient basis.  Physical comfort can be completely restored and the same time the relapse risk reduced.  Even PAWS from Suboxone and Methadone can be fully resolved.  Attempting to ignore Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome results in  needless suffering that becomes a direct trigger for substance relapse.

Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome resolution is frequently done for patients coming off any combination of sedative-hypnotics such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), zolpidem (Ambien), pentobarbital, phenobarbitol, carisoprodol (Soma), Rohypnol, GHB (Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate), and cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) and opiates such as oxycodone (Oxycontin, Roxicodone), heroin, buprenorphine (Buprenex, Subutex, Suboxone), oxymorphone (Dilaudid), methadone, morphine, hydrocodone (Lorcet, Lortab, Norco), fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq), Carfentanyl, meperidine (Demerol ), tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet), nalbuphine (Nubain), and codeine.  The Delray Center for Addiction Medicine offers ongoing care and treatment for PAWS on an outpatient basis. Individuals struggling with post acute withdrawal symptoms are encouraged to make an appointment with one of our doctors for individual evaluation, and appointments are available at convenient times both before and after common working hours, so patients can undergo extended detox treatment without missing work.  The downtown Delray Beach location is conveniently located close to I-95 and easily accessed by patients from the Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade Counties.