PAWS
This word describes the emotional and physical symptoms that can appear weeks to months after stopping substances.
What is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome?
Boundaries are limits we set to protect this important part of our well-being.
What is our physical, emotional, or mental safety?
Assertive communication uses this type of statement to express feelings without blaming others.
What are “I” statements?
This medication reverses an opioid overdose.
What is Narcan (Naloxone)?
Addiction is recognized as a chronic medical condition affecting this part of the body.
What is the brain?
Name one common PAWS symptom related to mood.
What is anxiety, irritability, or depression? (Any is correct)
This type of boundary is crossed when we say “yes” even though we mean “no.”
What is a violated emotional boundary?
This communication style avoids conflict by staying silent or giving in.
What is passive communication?
Breathing slows or stops during an opioid overdose because opioids affect this part of the body.
What is the brain/respiratory system?
Addiction is not a moral failure. It is a disease that impacts thoughts, emotions, and this.
What is behavior?
Early recovery can feel confusing because the brain chemical responsible for pleasure and motivation is still healing.
What is dopamine?
This type of boundary is healthy and involves being clear and respectful about what you need.
What is an assertive boundary?
This communication style is loud, controlling, or disrespectful of others’ boundaries.
What is aggressive communication?
Name one sign of an opioid overdose.
What is blue lips, no breathing, pinpoint pupils, unresponsive, gurgling sounds, etc.
The brain chemical responsible for reward, pleasure, and motivation, heavily impacted by addiction.
What is dopamine?
PAWS symptoms often come and go in waves. What is the recommended strategy when a PAWS wave hits?
What is “Pause, don’t react; use coping skills; remind yourself the symptoms will pass”?
People often lose track of boundaries during addiction because this coping skill is weakened.
What is self-awareness?
Assertiveness means balancing your needs with this.
What are other people’s needs?
If someone is overdosing, give Narcan and do this immediately while waiting for EMS.
What is rescue breathing or calling 911?
This term describes when a person keeps using despite negative consequences.
What is loss of control (or compulsive use)?
This coping skill helps people manage PAWS by slowing the nervous system and reducing overwhelm.
What is deep breathing (or grounding/mindfulness)?
Give one example of a boundary someone in early recovery might need to set.
What is “I can’t hang out with people who use,” or “I need quiet time,” or “No borrowing money”?
Give an example of turning this passive statement into an assertive one: “I guess it’s fine if you take my food again.”
What is “I’m not okay with you taking my food. Please ask next time”?
This dangerous substance is commonly mixed with opioids and increases overdose risk because it is 50–100 times stronger than morphine.
What is fentanyl?
Name one factor that increases a person’s risk for developing addiction.
What is genetics, trauma, environment, mental health issues, early use, etc.?