Understanding how long detox takes helps you prepare mentally and practically for the first phase of recovery. Whether you’re facing alcohol withdrawal or clearing other substances from your system, knowing what to expect reduces anxiety and sets realistic expectations.
The short answer: most detox processes last between 3 and 14 days, depending on the substance involved. The whole picture is more nuanced, though. Your personal history, the drugs in your system, and your overall health all influence how long withdrawal lasts and how intense symptoms become.
This guide breaks down typical timelines for alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants. It also highlights what medical detox involves and how it connects to ongoing treatment.
What Detox Actually Is (and What It Isn’t)
Detox is the process of allowing your body to clear addictive substances while managing withdrawal symptoms. It’s the essential first step in recovery, but it’s not treatment itself. Detoxification addresses physical dependence (the way your body has adapted to functioning in the presence of substances). Treatment addresses the psychological, behavioral, and social aspects of addiction. Completing detox without following up with therapy and support rarely leads to lasting recovery.
Think of detox as stabilization. It prepares you physically to engage in the deeper work of treatment. Skipping ahead to therapy while still in active withdrawal is ineffective because your brain and body aren’t ready to absorb new information or develop new coping skills.
Why medical supervision matters comes down to safety and comfort. Withdrawal from certain substances, particularly alcohol and benzodiazepines, can be medically dangerous. Seizures, cardiovascular complications, and severe dehydration are real risks. Even when withdrawal isn’t life-threatening, the discomfort can be intense enough to drive people back to substance use just to make symptoms stop.
Medical detox programs provide monitoring, medications, and comfort measures that make the process safer and more tolerable.
Factors That Affect Detox Length
No two detox experiences are identical. Several variables influence how long yours will take. The type of substance is the primary factor. Different drugs create different patterns of physical dependence and withdrawal. Alcohol and benzodiazepines produce potentially severe withdrawal syndromes that require careful management. Opioid withdrawal is intensely uncomfortable but seldom dangerous. Stimulant withdrawal is mainly psychological rather than physical.
Duration and amount of use directly impact the severity of withdrawal. Someone who has been drinking heavily for a decade will likely experience more prolonged and intense withdrawal than a person with a shorter history. The same applies to other substances: heavier, more prolonged use generally means a longer detox process.
Co-occurring mental and physical health issues can complicate detox. Underlying anxiety, depression, or trauma may intensify during withdrawal. Liver disease, heart conditions, or other medical problems require additional monitoring.
Alcohol Detox Timeline
The alcohol detox timeline follows a fairly predictable pattern, although individual experiences vary based on drinking history and overall health.
The onset of withdrawal symptoms typically begins 6 to 12 hours after the last drink. Early symptoms include anxiety, tremors, sweating, nausea, and insomnia. Heart rate and blood pressure often elevate during this phase.
Peak symptoms usually occur between 24 and 72 hours after cessation. This is when withdrawal is most intense and when severe complications are most likely to emerge. Symptoms may include agitation, hallucinations, and confusion.
The resolution phase generally begins after day 3, with most acute physical symptoms subsiding within 5 to 7 days. That said, some people experience protracted withdrawal symptoms, including sleep disturbances, anxiety, and mood instability, that persist for weeks or even months.
The risk of severe withdrawal is highest for those who have been drinking heavily and long-term. DTs (delirium tremens) is the most dangerous form of alcohol withdrawal, characterized by severe confusion, seizures, and cardiovascular instability. DTs can be fatal without medical intervention, which is why medically supervised detox is recommended for those with severe alcohol dependence.
Opioid Detox Timeline
The drug detox timeline for opioids depends partly on whether you’ve been using short-acting or long-acting opioids.
Short-acting opioids like heroin, oxycodone, and hydrocodone produce withdrawal symptoms within 8 to 24 hours after the last dose. Symptoms peak around 36 to 72 hours and usually resolve within 5 to 7 days. The acute phase involves muscle aches, anxiety, sweating, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Long-acting opioids like methadone produce delayed withdrawal onset, sometimes 24 to 48 hours after the last dose. Symptoms may not peak until days 3 to 5 and can persist for 10 to 14 days or longer.
Typical symptom progression moves from early flu-like symptoms (runny nose, watery eyes, and yawning) to peak discomfort (severe cramping, nausea, diarrhea, and intense cravings) and then gradually resolves. While opioid withdrawal is rarely medically dangerous, the fierce discomfort drives many people to relapse without proper support and medication assistance.
Benzodiazepine Detox Timeline (High-Level)
Benzo withdrawal requires special attention due to its complexity and potential severity. This results from how these medications affect the brain. Benzodiazepines enhance the activity of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), the brain’s principal inhibitory neurotransmitter, producing calming effects. After prolonged use, the brain adapts by reducing its own GABA production. Sudden discontinuation can trigger rebound anxiety, seizures, and other serious complications.
The timeline varies widely based on whether you’ve been using short-acting benzos like Xanax or Ativan, or long-acting formulations like Valium or Klonopin. Short-acting benzo withdrawal may begin within 24 hours, while long-acting benzo withdrawal might not emerge for several days. The entire process can extend for weeks or months.
The importance of medical oversight cannot be overstated. DIY tapering is dangerous. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can provoke life-threatening seizures, and the psychological symptoms – severe anxiety, panic, insomnia, and cognitive difficulties – can be overwhelming without professional support. A medically supervised taper, gradually reducing dosage over time, is the standard approach.
Stimulant Detox Timeline (Cocaine, Meth, etc.)
Stimulant withdrawal differs from depressant withdrawal in that it’s primarily psychological rather than physically dangerous.
The crash phase begins within hours to a day after the last use. Exhaustion dominates this period as your depleted brain struggles to function without artificial dopamine stimulation. Many people sleep for extended periods, sometimes 24 hours or more, as the body attempts to recover.
Mood and sleep changes characterize the weeks following the initial crash. Depression, irritability, and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) are common as brain chemistry gradually rebalances. Sleep disturbances may persist, with some people experiencing vivid, disturbing dreams.
While stimulant detox doesn’t require the same medical interventions as alcohol or benzo withdrawal, the psychological symptoms, particularly depression and intense cravings, benefit from professional support.
What to Expect in a Medical Detox Program
Medical detox programs provide structured environments designed to maximize safety and minimize discomfort during withdrawal.
Monitoring involves regular assessment of vital signs, symptom severity, and overall stability. Medical staff track heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and hydration status.
Medications vary by substance but serve to ease symptoms and prevent complications. Alcohol detox involves benzodiazepines to control seizures. Opioid detox may include medications like buprenorphine to reduce cravings and withdrawal intensity. Additional medications address specific symptoms like nausea or insomnia.
Comfort measures support the process alongside medical interventions. Nutritional support, hydration, rest, and a calm environment all contribute to a smoother detox.
Transition from detox to ongoing treatment is critical. Detox alone doesn’t produce lasting recovery. Quality detox programs prepare clients for the next phase, whether that’s residential treatment, PHP (partial hospitalization program), IOP (intensive outpatient program), or another level of care.
Detox and Treatment at Anchored Recovery Community
Anchored Recovery Community partners with trusted detox facilities to ensure that clients receive safe, medically supervised withdrawal management before transitioning into our outpatient programs.
Our team coordinates with detox providers to ensure seamless care. We stay in communication throughout your detox process, preparing for your transition into treatment as soon as you’re medically stable.
How clients move from detox into PHP or IOP depends on individual needs and clinical recommendations. Many people step directly into our PHP, which provides intensive daytime treatment combining individual therapy, group counseling, and holistic approaches like art therapy and surf therapy. As stability increases, clients can step down to IOP and, eventually, traditional outpatient care.
This continuum ensures that you get the right level of support at every stage, from the physical challenges of detox through the deeper therapeutic work of building enduring recovery.
If you’re unsure whether you need detox before starting treatment, our team can help you assess your situation. Call (949) 696-5705 to speak confidentially with our admissions team.
FAQs
Can I detox at home?
Home detox may be possible for mild cases of substance dependence, but it carries significant risks for alcohol, benzodiazepines, and heavy opioid use. Medical supervision is strongly recommended to ensure safety and improve your chances of completing withdrawal.
How do I know if I need medical detox?
If you experience physical withdrawal symptoms when you stop using drugs or alcohol, have a history of prolonged substance use, or have previously experienced seizures or severe withdrawal, medical detox is likely necessary. A clinical assessment can help determine the appropriate level of care for your situation.