What Is PAWS, Really?
PAWS stands for Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome ... and it’s the phase of recovery that kicks in after acute withdrawal ends (usually after Day 10–14).
Aren’t we lucky? We get phases of withdrawal.
Dopamine (motivation, reward)
Serotonin (mood, emotional regulation)
GABA (calm, sleep)
Norepinephrine (focus, energy)
During this time, you’re no longer in crisis mode ... but you’re definitely not fine. Think of it like emotional jet lag: your system is rebooting in the background, and it takes time, rest, and patience.
⚠️ Common PAWS Symptoms
- 1. Depression
• Low mood without obvious cause
• Hopelessness, even after a few good days
• Emotional numbness ... like nothing matters - 2. Anxiety
• Chronic worry or dread
• New social anxiety
• Physical: tight chest, racing heart, buzzing - 3. Mood Swings
• Crying, then angry
• Okay, then overwhelmed
• Overreactions to tiny triggers - 4. Lack of Motivation
• No drive to do anything
• Everything feels heavy
• Even joy feels pointless - 5. Brain Fog & Poor Focus
• Hard to think, read, or talk
• Memory lapses
• “Normal” things feel exhausting - 6. Fatigue
• Sleep isn’t refreshing
• Flat energy
• Tiny tasks = full drain - 7. Cravings (Again)
• “You’re not getting better.”
• “Go back. You were more functional.”
• “This isn’t worth it.”
• “You deserve to feel good.”
Why It Happens (The Deep Dive)
Kratom and kava alter how your brain regulates stress, pleasure, and reward. When you quit, your receptors are damaged, sluggish, or desensitized.
But rebuilding takes time. Neuroplasticity is a slow burn:
- Weeks for neurotransmitter function to stabilize
- Months for emotional regulation to feel natural again
- Even a year to fully reclaim joy and clarity
Most people relapse here — not because they’re weak, but because they think the worst is over… and get blindsided.
How to Survive PAWS
- 1. Expect It
• Know the waves are coming
• Track mood weekly, not daily
• Look for patterns — not panic - 2. Create Structure
• No “free-floating” days
• Simple routine: wake, eat, move, rest
• Keep appointments & promises - 3. Fuel Your Brain
• Revisit Chapter 8: food, hydration, supplements
• Don’t skip meals
• Protein, carbs, fats = repair - 4. Keep Moving (Even When It Sucks)
• Walk daily
• Movement = dopamine
• Action before emotion - 5. Stop Waiting to "Feel Like It"
• Motivation follows action
• Waiting = stuck
• Do it anyway — even badly - 6. Connect, Even Shallowly
• Text a meme
• Talk to a barista
• Post in support group - 7. Avoid Isolation Traps
• No 10-hour binge fests
• Don’t stay in bed all day
• Get 5 minutes of sunlight - 8. Celebrate Wins. Any Wins.
• Showered? Win.
• Didn’t cry until 4 p.m.? Win.
• Stayed sober one more day? Massive win.
How Long Does PAWS Last?
| Timeframe | Typical Experience |
|---|---|
| Weeks 2–4 | Emotional crash, fatigue, fog, cravings return |
| Month 2 | Mood swings lessen, focus improves slightly |
| Month 3 | First moments of clarity, motivation returns in short bursts |
| Months 4–6 | Emotional regulation begins to stabilize |
| Months 6–12 | Normal feels… well, normal again. Joy is real. |
When the Waves Hit Again…
Don’t panic.
Don’t dose.
Don’t believe the voice that says “this isn’t working.”
It is working. You’re healing.
You’re not back at Day 1. You’re just passing through another tunnel.