Detoxification, or detox, refers to the process of clearing substances out of the body while managing accompanying withdrawal symptoms. The detox timeline depends on several factors, the drug used, amount, duration, general health status, co-occurring mental health disorders, pregnancy and certain physical conditions. Read on to learn more about how long drug detox takes.
Detox Timeline Key Facts
- The amount of time it takes to detox depends on several factors
- Medically supervised detox is the safest option
- Certain substances can have potentially life threatening withdrawal symptoms
- Detox is only the first step in the recovery process
- Continued comprehensive treatment is essential for long term recovery
What Is Drug Detox, and How Long Does It Take?
Depending on the substance as well as factors that vary from individual to individual, detox can take from a few days to a few weeks. Detox is often just the first step in the process toward recovery from substance abuse.
What Is the Difference Between Detox and Withdrawal?
Withdrawal refers to the physical and psychological effects of discontinuing the use of a misused substance. Detox refers specifically to safely managing these withdrawal symptoms to clear substances from the body.
Detox can take place at home, an inpatient detox facility or through an outpatient program. A medically supervised detox provides professional care to safely stabilize the brain and body for individuals with substance use disorder.
What Are the Stages of Withdrawal?
Withdrawal can be understood as happening in three stages: acute withdrawal, protracted withdrawal and post acute withdrawal.
The exact timeline of detox and withdrawal depends on the substance, duration of use, amount used, medical conditions or any co-occurring mental health disorders.
The acute withdrawal phase occurs almost immediately. Individuals face some of the most uncomfortable physical symptoms during this time.
These include vomiting, nausea, tremors, muscle aches, fatigue and are generally the opposite of the intoxication effects of the abused substance.
As well, there are psychological symptoms that can include mood changes, anxiety and irritability. Depending on the substance, symptoms can range from mild to potentially life threatening. The risk of relapse is very high during this stage.
Protracted withdrawal refers to the continuation of withdrawal symptoms after the initial physical symptoms improve.
During this stage, an individual’s symptoms are primarily psychological and include depression, sleep difficulty, anhedonia, persistent fatigue, short term memory problems, difficulty with concentration and making decisions and impulse control.
This stage can last from weeks to months, with symptoms that may improve for a time and then return.
Post acute withdrawal (PAWS) describes symptoms that linger for weeks and in some cases up to two years after detox. Individuals may experience mood swings, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating and cravings.
Key Factors That Change Your Detox Timeline
The detox timeline depends on several factors, including:
- The substance and its half life
- Duration of use
- Amount and form used (extended release or long acting)
- Overall physical condition
- Co occurring mental health disorders
- Pregnancy
- Liver or kidney disease
- Polysubstance use
Typical Detox Timelines for Common Drugs
| Alcohol | Benzos | Opioids | Stims | Cannabis | |
| Onset | Within 6 to 24 hours | Within 24 hours | Short acting: within 8 and 24 hours Long acting: up to 36 hours | Within 6 and 24 hours | Within 24 and 48 hours |
| Peak | Between 24 and 72 hours | Week 2 | Short acting: 1 to 3 days Long acting: 24 and 48 hours | Within 1 week | Between days 2 and 6 |
| Duration | Weeks | Days to several months | Short acting: Up to 10 days Long acting: Up to 14 days + | Weeks to months | Up to 3 weeks or more |
These times are averages and can vary depending on the duration of abuse, the amount used, the form used ( short acting vs. long acting) or polysubstance use.
It is important to remember that substances, including alcohol, opiates and benzodiazepines, can have potentially life threatening withdrawal symptoms. For this reason, medically supervised detox is recommended.
The Importance of Medical Detox
Attempting to detox without medical supervision can be uncomfortable, painful and potentially life threatening.
In addition to close observation and support, amedically supervised detoxification also provides the option of using FDA approved medications to help the process by easing withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings.
Medical detox not only encompasses 24/7 monitoring and medication provision, but it also provides a personalized team to help with the transition to the next level of care. This can increase a person’s engagement in treatment and improve outcomes.
For lower risk substances, detoxing at home may be an option, but it is advisable to get medical clearance first and have support in place, such as telehealth visits, medication and a strong support network.
FAQs About How Long Drug Detox Takes
In some cases, detox at home may be possible, but it is advised to get medical clearance first.
Whether detoxing at home is possible and how long it takes depends on which substance you have been using, how long you have been using, how much and how often you used.
When it comes to certain substances, trying to detox at home can be dangerous, scary, and even fatal. It can be extremely dangerous to try to detox at home if you have been misusing alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines.
This will depend on multiple factors, such as what substance you are detoxing from and how much and how frequently you used it.
It can be helpful to understand that there may be physical symptoms, which usually improve in days or weeks, and that there are emotional and psychological symptoms of detox that can persist for weeks or months
It is helpful to remember that mental health therapy, medication management, and peer support can shorten the “feeling awful” phase and support long-term recovery.
Getting medical detox instead of doing at-home detox won’t speed up the process, as it does not change how quickly the body processes and clears drugs from the system, but it can make it more comfortable and certainly safer.
Medical detox not only entails 24/7 monitoring, care and medication provision when suitable, it also provides a personalized team to help with the transition to the next levels of care, such as residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, or outpatient treatment.
Having a supportive medical team can increase engagement in treatment and significantly improve recovery outcomes.
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