Withdrawal is a challenging phase of recovery that involves a range of physical, mental, and emotional symptoms, some of which can be severe or even dangerous. If you plan to get sober, you should familiarize yourself with the typical drug or alcohol detox timeline and the factors that influence the duration and severity of withdrawal.
Understanding Withdrawal Symptoms
The withdrawal experience varies widely depending on the substance used, but usually includes a combination of the following:
- Shaking, sweating, nausea, and flu-like body aches
- Anxiety, irritability, and depression
- Changes in appetite and sleep disturbances
Factors Affecting Withdrawal Duration
Withdrawal symptoms can begin hours after your last use of a substance and may last for days or even weeks, depending on variables like these.
- Type of substance: Drugs and alcohol metabolize at different rates and affect the brain in various ways.
- Severity of dependence: An advanced addiction results in more intense and prolonged withdrawal symptoms.
- Duration and frequency of use: Long-term use can prolong your withdrawal process.
- Individual health and metabolism: Your overall health influences how quickly your body can process and eliminate intoxicants.
- Co-occurring mental health disorders: Your withdrawal might be more severe or extended if you also have a mental health disorder like depression.
Withdrawal Timelines by Substance
Stimulants (e.g., Adderall, Ritalin)
- Symptoms: Depression, fatigue, changes in appetite, nightmares
- Timeline: Symptoms start within a few hours to days, peaking around one week, with some psychological symptoms potentially persisting longer.
Opioids (e.g., heroin, prescription painkillers)
- Symptoms: Flu-like body aches, chills, nausea, increased heart rate, anxiety
- Timeline: For short-acting opioids, symptoms emerge within 8-24 hours and last 4-10 days. For long-acting opioids like methadone, symptoms start within 2-4 days and fade within about 10 days.
Alcohol
- Symptoms: Shaking, sweating, impaired concentration, risk of seizures, and potential for a life-threatening condition called delirium tremens
- Timeline: Symptoms can begin several hours after the last drink, peaking within 24 to 48 hours, with some risks lasting up to three days.
Benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Xanax)
- Symptoms: Panic attacks, extreme anxiety, insomnia
- Timeline: Symptoms usually start within 24 hours and can last from a few days to a few months, depending on the duration of use and the specific benzodiazepine.
Medically Managed Withdrawal and Detoxification
Given the complexities and potential dangers of withdrawal, the safest way to detox is under the supervision of trained medical professionals. At Georgia Sky Outpatient Detox, we provide flexible, medically managed detox, substance abuse counseling, and withdrawal symptom relief, allowing you to free your body and brain of drugs or alcohol in a safe, supervised environment.
Our program is ideal for people who want to get sober, but do not have time to pause their lives to move into an inpatient facility. Your personal and professional commitments do not have to be a barrier to receiving professional treatment, therapy, and aftercare planning. Start your path to sustained sobriety on the right foot by connecting with us today.