Thought I would share this, thinking it may be helpful for those who are feeling like they are going crazy during the beginning of NC....or relapses much later in NC process. It was helpful for me to realize that A's are addictions - it takes the fantasy out of it. I have had most of the withdrawals (physical and emotional) listed.

Some things mentioned that really hit home was that the post-acute (emotional) episodes can last a few days. And that it takes about two years before you stop having "episodes". Makes me understand the hard work ahead of me to get my life back together. God, the A really wasn't worth it.

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The first stage is the acute stage, which usually lasts, at most, a few weeks. During this stage, you may experience physical withdrawal symptoms. But every drug is different, and every person is different.

PHYSICAL
Sweating
Racing heart
Palpitations
Muscle tension
Tightness in the chest
Difficulty breathing
Tremor
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

The second stage of withdrawal is called the Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. During this stage you'll have fewer physical symptoms, but more emotional and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Post-acute withdrawal occurs because your brain chemistry is gradually returning to normal. As your brain improves the levels of your brain chemicals fluctuate as they approach the new equilibrium causing post-acute withdrawal symptoms

EMOTIONAL
Anxiety
Restlessness
Irritability
Insomnia
Headaches
Poor concentration
Depression
Social isolation

Post-acute withdrawal feels like a rollercoaster of symptoms. In the beginning, your symptoms will change minute to minute and hour to hour. Later as you recover further they will disappear for a few weeks or months only to return again. As you continue to recover the good stretches will get longer and longer. But the bad periods of post-acute withdrawal can be just as intense and last just as long.

Each post-acute withdrawal episode usually last for a few days. Once you've been in recovery for a while, you will find that each post-acute withdrawal episode usually lasts for a few days. There is no obvious trigger for most episodes. You will wake up one day feeling irritable and have low energy. If you hang on for just a few days, it will lift just as quickly as it started. After a while you'll develop confidence that you can get through post-acute withdrawal, because you'll know that each episode is time limited.

Post-acute withdrawal usually lasts for 2 years. This is one of the most important things you need to remember. If you're up for the challenge you can get though this. But if you think that post-acute withdrawal will only last for a few months, then you'll get caught off guard, and when you're disappointed you're more likely to relapse.