Dealing with drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be physically and mentally challenging. For most people, physical withdrawal symptoms last 3 to 10 days, but the mental withdrawal symptoms can last several months.
In this article, we’ll explore how long detox takes. You will learn:
- How long does detox last
- Factors that affect the length of detox
- How long it takes to detox from various substances
- Why medical detox is necessary
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction and ready to begin your recovery journey, please contact First Step Behavioral Health. Our admissions counselors will discuss our treatment programs with you and verify your insurance so you can start detoxing from alcohol or drugs as soon as possible.
How Long Does It Take to Detox?
The length of drug and alcohol detox varies from person to person, depending on factors like the substance used, how long it was used, and overall health. In general, most detox processes take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
For some substances, withdrawal symptoms peak within the first 24-72 hours and then gradually improve. However, other drugs, especially those with longer half-lives, may lead to withdrawal symptoms lasting a week or more. While physical symptoms may fade within days, some people experience lingering effects, such as cravings or mood changes, for weeks or even months.
Symptoms that last longer than a couple of weeks are called post-acute withdrawal symptoms or PAWS. PAWS involves mostly psychological symptoms, while acute withdrawal causes physical and psychological symptoms. Medical detox is typically required for acute withdrawal, while PAWS can be managed with lifestyle changes and support.
Factors Impacting the Duration of Detox
Several factors influence how long detox takes, including:
- Type of Substance – Different drugs leave the body at different rates. For example, alcohol withdrawal may last about a week, while opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers can take longer. Benzodiazepine withdrawal often requires a gradual taper that extends detox over weeks or months.
- Length and Severity of Use – The longer someone has used a substance and the higher the doses, the more intense and prolonged the detox may be.
- Individual Health – A person’s overall health, metabolism, and hydration levels all play a role in how quickly their body clears substances.
- Method of Detox – A medically supervised detox can help manage symptoms and may involve medications to ease withdrawal, which can affect the timeline. Quitting suddenly (cold turkey) can sometimes make symptoms more severe and drawn out.
- Polysubstance Use – If someone has been using multiple substances, detox can be more complicated and may take longer.
- Mental Health – Underlying mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression, can make detox more challenging and may extend the process.
Since detox is a unique experience for everyone, it’s important to go through the process under medical supervision to stay as safe and comfortable as possible.
Detox Timelines By Drug Type
The length and intensity of withdrawal symptoms depend heavily on the specific type of drug used. Here’s a general breakdown of what to expect for different substances:
- Alcohol – Symptoms typically start within 6-12 hours after the last drink, peak around 24-72 hours, and improve within 5-7 days. In severe cases, alcohol withdrawal can include dangerous complications like delirium tremens (DTs), which require medical attention.
- Opioids (Heroin, Prescription Painkillers) – Short-acting opioids, like heroin or fentanyl, cause withdrawal symptoms within 8-12 hours after the last dose, peaking around 48-72 hours and improving in 5-7 days. Longer-acting opioids, such as methadone, can take 2-4 days for symptoms to start, with withdrawal lasting 10 days or more.
- Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan) – Withdrawal can begin 1-4 days after the last dose, with symptoms lasting 1-4 weeks or longer. Because benzodiazepine withdrawal can be severe and even life-threatening, detox is often done gradually under medical supervision.
- Stimulants (Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Adderall) – Withdrawal symptoms usually start within 24 hours, peaking within 3-5 days and improving over 1-2 weeks. While physical symptoms fade quickly, cravings and mood-related symptoms like depression and fatigue may last for weeks or months.
- Marijuana – Though not as physically intense as other substances, marijuana withdrawal can cause irritability, sleep disturbances, and appetite changes starting within 1-3 days, peaking around the first week, and improving after 10-14 days.
- Hallucinogens (LSD, Psilocybin, PCP, MDMA) – Most hallucinogens don’t cause a typical withdrawal syndrome, but some, like PCP and MDMA (ecstasy), can lead to mood swings, sleep problems, and cravings that last for several days to weeks.
The Importance of Medical Supervision
Detox can be physically and emotionally challenging, and in some cases, it can be dangerous without medical support. For example, certain substances, like alcohol and benzodiazepines, can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures or life-threatening complications.
Even with drugs that don’t pose a direct medical risk, withdrawal can be intense and lead to dehydration, mood swings, intense cravings for the substance, or relapse if not properly managed. It’s always best to detox under medical supervision.
A medically supervised detox provides:
- Safety – Medical professionals monitor your health and intervene if any serious symptoms arise.
- Comfort – Medications may be used to ease withdrawal symptoms, making the process more manageable.
- Support – Having a team by your side can help you stay motivated and reduce the risk of relapse.
Choosing to go through withdrawal in a supervised detox facility ensures you get through the process as safely and comfortably as possible, setting you up for long-term recovery.
Your Trusted Drug & Alcohol Detox Partner
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use, you don’t have to go through detox alone. At First Step Behavioral Health, we provide evidence-based, medical detox programs designed to help our clients safely manage withdrawal and take the first steps toward recovery.
Reach out today to learn more about our detox programs and how we can help you start your journey to recovery.
References:
- American Family Physician: Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
- Sage Journals: Experiences with benzodiazepine use, tapering, and discontinuation: an Internet survey
- Science Direct: Opioid withdrawal symptoms, frequency, and pain characteristics as correlates of health risk among people who inject drugs
- JAMA Network: Prevalence of Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms Among People With Regular or Dependent Use of Cannabinoids
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Clinical Management of Psychostimulant Withdrawal: Review of the Evidence
