I have found especially the last week that I just can't keep my mind on anything for long. I am having real trouble focussing.
It was getting better for a while now its back to 10 min concentration spans.
anyone else had the same problem early as they got sober. I can't remember what it was like the last couple of times I tried. This time seems different somehow.
For those with some long term sobriety if you experienced this how long did it take to improve?
Idgie.
Hi Idgie,
Just wondering (from a position of relative ignorance) if what you describe is necessarily related to alcohol or alcoholism.....it's just that it sounds as if you're wondering why this has come back and it occurred to me that it might be something completely unrelated.
Just wondering (from a position of relative ignorance) if what you describe is necessarily related to alcohol or alcoholism.....it's just that it sounds as if you're wondering why this has come back and it occurred to me that it might be something completely unrelated.
Idg
Good luck with that. I've been around for a while and I still can't remember @@@@ but I am getting old <G> I just love it when I walk into a room and can't remember why I'm there. Rule 62, hon.
Good luck with that. I've been around for a while and I still can't remember @@@@ but I am getting old <G> I just love it when I walk into a room and can't remember why I'm there. Rule 62, hon.
MY sponsor who happens to also be a doctor of medicine told me that for every 2 years of alcoholic drinking, it would take 1 year for my system to repair itself. The neuro-transmitters, the reuptake inhibitors, the synapses, the whole electrical system--was fried and mis-routed due to my stinkin' drinkin' thinkin'.
:)
Of course, age has a way of re-prioritizing life for me, too, and sobriety mad alot of things just fall away. "We feel as though we have been placed in a position of neutrality, safe and protected." This is just PART of the 10th Step promises.
There is, of course, the chance that you'e completely bonkers and chasing bugs around on the floor is just a matter of time....
LOL
:)
Of course, age has a way of re-prioritizing life for me, too, and sobriety mad alot of things just fall away. "We feel as though we have been placed in a position of neutrality, safe and protected." This is just PART of the 10th Step promises.
There is, of course, the chance that you'e completely bonkers and chasing bugs around on the floor is just a matter of time....
LOL
Idgie, skq might have something there.....I wouldn't have put it quite like that, but it wouldn't be unheard of for someone to have developed alcoholism as a result of self-medicating things like depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, repressed childhood abuse, all sorts of things that pre-exist alcoholism and emerge in their full power when somone finds the way to stop self-medicating. That's one reason why so many attempts at sobriety fail. People are ignorant of what really ails them and the diagnosis of alcoholism leads them to believe that what's there when they get sober is the "real" them....well it MIGHT be the real them, but it might be that it's the real them suffering from any one of a number of other treatable diseases and deep rooted CAUSES of alcoholism that are enough to drive ANYONE to drink, let alone an alcoholic in early recovery.
Just wanted to say not everything is caused by or related to alcoholism. Sometimes the alcoholism is just the outcome of an uninformed choice of self-treatment for something else...
You can scare yourself silly by looking on the web of course, but hopefully you can find some good sources and your doctor might have some thoughts....
On the other hand, tomorrow might be different and it's just a Wednesday thing. Only you can know....so ask your HP.....
Just wanted to say not everything is caused by or related to alcoholism. Sometimes the alcoholism is just the outcome of an uninformed choice of self-treatment for something else...
You can scare yourself silly by looking on the web of course, but hopefully you can find some good sources and your doctor might have some thoughts....
On the other hand, tomorrow might be different and it's just a Wednesday thing. Only you can know....so ask your HP.....
Hey Idgie...
I know for me, each time I quit, the attention thing got a little worse...
Today I seem to be okay, attention wise <no comments from the peanut gallery> but it took up to around the 6 month mark...and even after that, I'd hit the milestones and the PAWS would kick in...r
Be gentle with yourself. If you're only getting 10 mins at a time, be grateful for those 10mins and ask your HP to help calm your mind. Remember to breathe, try sitting still for 10minutes during the day, completely still and just breathe.
Do you mediatate at all?
xoxo
Stacey
I know for me, each time I quit, the attention thing got a little worse...
Today I seem to be okay, attention wise <no comments from the peanut gallery> but it took up to around the 6 month mark...and even after that, I'd hit the milestones and the PAWS would kick in...r
Be gentle with yourself. If you're only getting 10 mins at a time, be grateful for those 10mins and ask your HP to help calm your mind. Remember to breathe, try sitting still for 10minutes during the day, completely still and just breathe.
Do you mediatate at all?
xoxo
Stacey
SKG....Chasing bugs around the floor!!! ROTFLMAO!!!! You have been crackin me up with your one liners lately! Too the point and hilarious!!! Thanks as laughter is always the best medicine.
Stacey--Hey Girlfriend! For me....2 1/2 years later I still suffer from PAWS. Not sure if it will ever get better but at least I recognize what is going on with me most of the time and I can head off the feelings of anger and hopelessness.
Thanks for reminding me about PAWS. Have a great day guys and gals!
Stacey--Hey Girlfriend! For me....2 1/2 years later I still suffer from PAWS. Not sure if it will ever get better but at least I recognize what is going on with me most of the time and I can head off the feelings of anger and hopelessness.
Thanks for reminding me about PAWS. Have a great day guys and gals!
Valarie--It's part of my illness and the need for acceptance. They slip out, though, in spite of my recovery. Sort of like gas...
"We are not a glum lot. We absolutely insist on enjoying life."
So, Oh Wise Swampy One? What, pray tell, is PAWS? Surely it isn't, "Pout And Write Short stories on the ARG?
"We are not a glum lot. We absolutely insist on enjoying life."
So, Oh Wise Swampy One? What, pray tell, is PAWS? Surely it isn't, "Pout And Write Short stories on the ARG?
SKG - LOL
sounds like you have a really good sponsor
Miss K - how dare you suggest I'm getting old!!! LOL LOL
Stacey I have to agree about it getting worse each time. I can see a definite pattern.
As well as focus I've found my retention is poor too, my memory short term that is has definately suffered as well.
SKG well I guess there's some hope that things will improve. Thuogh I wonder if there's not an element of the lack of self discipline in there too that goes along with alcoholism. Hmm have to think about that.
thanks for those perspectives.
sounds like you have a really good sponsor
Miss K - how dare you suggest I'm getting old!!! LOL LOL
Stacey I have to agree about it getting worse each time. I can see a definite pattern.
As well as focus I've found my retention is poor too, my memory short term that is has definately suffered as well.
SKG well I guess there's some hope that things will improve. Thuogh I wonder if there's not an element of the lack of self discipline in there too that goes along with alcoholism. Hmm have to think about that.
thanks for those perspectives.
Oh My God you are killin' me! LOLOLOLOL
Quote:
So, Oh Wise Swampy One? What, pray tell, is PAWS? Surely it isn't, "Pout And Write Short stories on the ARG? End Quote:
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
PAWS is Post Acute Withdrawl Syndrome. Google it if you want to learn about it. I don't feel like writing a big a** post here. :-) However if you look it up spell it. PAWS also means Pets are Wonderful support, Pets Animal Welfare Society etc.....etc..... LOLOLOL
SKG...Honest to Good you are crackin' me the hell up lately! Thank YOU!!'
Okay Skg...How in the he double hockey sticks do you put things in quotes?? Please tell me from the very beginning. People have written it before to me and I still didn't understand. Like do I have to copy and paste something for it to work??? Start with step 1 for a 4th grader okay. I wore a helmet when I was little. LOLOLOLOL
Quote:
So, Oh Wise Swampy One? What, pray tell, is PAWS? Surely it isn't, "Pout And Write Short stories on the ARG? End Quote:
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
PAWS is Post Acute Withdrawl Syndrome. Google it if you want to learn about it. I don't feel like writing a big a** post here. :-) However if you look it up spell it. PAWS also means Pets are Wonderful support, Pets Animal Welfare Society etc.....etc..... LOLOLOL
SKG...Honest to Good you are crackin' me the hell up lately! Thank YOU!!'
Okay Skg...How in the he double hockey sticks do you put things in quotes?? Please tell me from the very beginning. People have written it before to me and I still didn't understand. Like do I have to copy and paste something for it to work??? Start with step 1 for a 4th grader okay. I wore a helmet when I was little. LOLOLOLOL
Hi Idgie,
Forgive me if you already know about PAWS, I didn't....and I can only guess that as you asked for information about how you are feeling you might want some information about how you are feeling, so here's some information on how you might be feeling...
Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) has three major areas of impact upon the individual:
Cognitive: PAWS creates many difficulties with cognitive processes. Racing or recycling thoughts are often noted and found to be highly distracting by the individual. Thoughts may be scattered and even a lack of coherence at times may be present. Others may notice a certain rigidity of thinking and lack of required flexibility. In connection with this, abstract and conceptual thought may be negatively impacted. Cause and effect reasoning suffers as well in the early stages of recovery. Themes and threads connecting disparate events may not be recognized as easily. Concentration and attention span may be impaired. Confusion may be present. Prioritization by the individual will likely be a difficulty for six to twelve months.
Emotional: PAWS tends to create in individuals either a dearth or excess of emotion. The individual may be hyper reactive emotionally. Even small events of little consequence may loom large in his/her mind and create strong and overly valent (not being able to bond thoughts together) reactions. This may lead others to suspect a relapse or create social withdrawal. Shame emotions may be noted. Conversely, The individual may notice a numbing of emotions. The inability to feel impairs proper emotional bonding with friends and family during the early recovery process. It also impairs the recovery process itself as the individual struggles with trying to feel the resentments, anger, guilt, shame and other emotions common in recovery.
Memory: Memory is frequently the most noted PAWS problem. Recently learned information (within the last 30 minutes) may be quickly forgotten. New skills or routines may be learned and then not assimilated as before the drinking began. Information may be retained for a short time (days/weeks) and then lost, requiring the individual to learn it anew. As recovery requires inspection of the past, the individual may discover that developmental and childhood memories are totally absent or only remembered in a spotty fashion.
All of the above PAWS issues can obviously affect the early recovering person. The recognition of this syndrome by the recovering person as well as by friends, family and colleagues is important. The individual will note that the severity of PAWS decreases as time progresses and that PAWS is stress sensitive. Lowering of stress is helpful. Healthy habits such as limiting caffeine, getting 8-10 hours of sleep, eating three balanced meals and exercising three-four times weekly usually prove beneficial. Meditation, or relaxation exercises can be invaluable once properly learned. Obviously AA involvement with a sensitive and experienced sponsor is key to navigating through PAWS.
Most individuals find the first six months to be the most PAWS impacted with decreasing severity over the next six-month period. By the end of one year, most persons have returned to their respective levels of functioning.
From:
http://www.interventionctr.com/paws.htm
Hope that's helpful. Please also bear in mind that many people with bi-polar or borderline personality disorders, PTSD, childhood abuse issues, clinical depression, stress and a whole lot of other issues have trouble concentrating. Life isn't always about alcohol......
My advice would be if it persists see someone qualified to help because I am humble enough - actually I mean sane enough - to know I can't diagnose the cause of your discomfort via a computer screen.
Take good care of yourself.
Forgive me if you already know about PAWS, I didn't....and I can only guess that as you asked for information about how you are feeling you might want some information about how you are feeling, so here's some information on how you might be feeling...
Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) has three major areas of impact upon the individual:
Cognitive: PAWS creates many difficulties with cognitive processes. Racing or recycling thoughts are often noted and found to be highly distracting by the individual. Thoughts may be scattered and even a lack of coherence at times may be present. Others may notice a certain rigidity of thinking and lack of required flexibility. In connection with this, abstract and conceptual thought may be negatively impacted. Cause and effect reasoning suffers as well in the early stages of recovery. Themes and threads connecting disparate events may not be recognized as easily. Concentration and attention span may be impaired. Confusion may be present. Prioritization by the individual will likely be a difficulty for six to twelve months.
Emotional: PAWS tends to create in individuals either a dearth or excess of emotion. The individual may be hyper reactive emotionally. Even small events of little consequence may loom large in his/her mind and create strong and overly valent (not being able to bond thoughts together) reactions. This may lead others to suspect a relapse or create social withdrawal. Shame emotions may be noted. Conversely, The individual may notice a numbing of emotions. The inability to feel impairs proper emotional bonding with friends and family during the early recovery process. It also impairs the recovery process itself as the individual struggles with trying to feel the resentments, anger, guilt, shame and other emotions common in recovery.
Memory: Memory is frequently the most noted PAWS problem. Recently learned information (within the last 30 minutes) may be quickly forgotten. New skills or routines may be learned and then not assimilated as before the drinking began. Information may be retained for a short time (days/weeks) and then lost, requiring the individual to learn it anew. As recovery requires inspection of the past, the individual may discover that developmental and childhood memories are totally absent or only remembered in a spotty fashion.
All of the above PAWS issues can obviously affect the early recovering person. The recognition of this syndrome by the recovering person as well as by friends, family and colleagues is important. The individual will note that the severity of PAWS decreases as time progresses and that PAWS is stress sensitive. Lowering of stress is helpful. Healthy habits such as limiting caffeine, getting 8-10 hours of sleep, eating three balanced meals and exercising three-four times weekly usually prove beneficial. Meditation, or relaxation exercises can be invaluable once properly learned. Obviously AA involvement with a sensitive and experienced sponsor is key to navigating through PAWS.
Most individuals find the first six months to be the most PAWS impacted with decreasing severity over the next six-month period. By the end of one year, most persons have returned to their respective levels of functioning.
From:
http://www.interventionctr.com/paws.htm
Hope that's helpful. Please also bear in mind that many people with bi-polar or borderline personality disorders, PTSD, childhood abuse issues, clinical depression, stress and a whole lot of other issues have trouble concentrating. Life isn't always about alcohol......
My advice would be if it persists see someone qualified to help because I am humble enough - actually I mean sane enough - to know I can't diagnose the cause of your discomfort via a computer screen.
Take good care of yourself.
Valarie,
When you put something in a quote box you open it with the square parentheses ([) and the word quote followed by a closed paren (]) and then the quotation. Then you just add the backslash (/quote) inside the end set. Make sense?
When you put something in a quote box you open it with the square parentheses ([) and the word quote followed by a closed paren (]) and then the quotation. Then you just add the backslash (/quote) inside the end set. Make sense?
What was this thread about again?
| QUOTE |
| Life isn't always about alcohol...... |
But, when you're getting sober, like many of us did, there are genuine physical & mental changes that the mind & body go through. Sure, it probably can be diagnosed as Bipolar or other mental illness or it can just plain be what it is for most of us, our bodies are trying to heal after a long time of abuse. Thank God, Tim posted about PAWS on the painpill board as it helped me to understand I wasn't crazy, just my body & mind trying to heal and how our milestones are when we are most vulnerable to PAWS....
You are right where you are supposed to be, Idgie....you're okay...and we're younger than Miss Katbird so we've got some time before CRS (can't remember sh*t) hits us...<BEG>
LOL @ SKG....you and Val seem to being having wayyyyyy to much fun.
24Gordon,
Absolutely. That's why I posted the information I found....it probably is part of the healing process and I hope it moves swiftly. I'm just very aware at the moment that alcoholism often masks other, pre-existing issues and failure to diagnose and treat those often leads to people assuming that what they're experiencing is sobriety when in reality their STILL suffering from an ilness, albeit a different and treatable one....and their failure to experience the promised serenity and beauty of sobriety can lead them to relapse.
As I said, I have no idea what Idgie is experiencing, and nor does anyone else with any certainty....so if it persists maybe its worth talking to a professional. Information is power and there's nothing to lose.
Absolutely. That's why I posted the information I found....it probably is part of the healing process and I hope it moves swiftly. I'm just very aware at the moment that alcoholism often masks other, pre-existing issues and failure to diagnose and treat those often leads to people assuming that what they're experiencing is sobriety when in reality their STILL suffering from an ilness, albeit a different and treatable one....and their failure to experience the promised serenity and beauty of sobriety can lead them to relapse.
As I said, I have no idea what Idgie is experiencing, and nor does anyone else with any certainty....so if it persists maybe its worth talking to a professional. Information is power and there's nothing to lose.
| QUOTE |
| What was this thread about again? |
Can't remember, Kat.
Shiny objects?
Psssstttt...a little reminder, now come close and listen good, peeps....
This post is about CRS...Can't remember sh*t and my BFF is a classic example.
Idgie, trust me, we are okay and if we do get as bad as Miss Katbird, we won't know if because we'll forget...LOL
Give yourself time to heal.
Smooches...
This post is about CRS...Can't remember sh*t and my BFF is a classic example.
Idgie, trust me, we are okay and if we do get as bad as Miss Katbird, we won't know if because we'll forget...LOL
Give yourself time to heal.
Smooches...
But I will remember to smack you if I ever see you. <BEG>
| QUOTE |
| When you put something in a quote box you open it with the square parentheses ([) and the word quote followed by a closed paren (]) and then the quotation. Then you just add the backslash (/quote) inside the end set. Make sense? |
Okay let's see if that works???
By George I think I've got it!!! Thank you so much for the second post where you gave the example of it SKG. You are a rockstar Pal...I have been trying to figure out what was written and I didn't get it. Like I said I wore a helmet as a child.
Kat...I love your little avatar. The cat was cool but was a bit scary.
What the h was this thread about again??? Oh yeah...lack of concentration.
Oops I forgot! LOLOLOL
Hey Stacey...yep having a bit of fun today. Needed some levity and SKG's one liners the last couple of days are hilarious!
Have a good one people...and thanks again for helping with the quotes SKG!
Nope!
Yup!
WooooHOOOO
Yup!
WooooHOOOO
