The duration of detox is different for each person and it is influenced by several factors including:
What type of substance you used
If you regularly took more than one substance
The frequency of drug or alcohol use
The number of drugs or amount of alcohol you consumed
Medical history and any current health conditions
Detox is also different for each person depending on how old they are or whether they are male or female. When you combine all of these factors it is difficult to determine how many days you will go through detox. On average, most people spend between three and fourteen days to allow the withdrawal symptoms and cravings to pass.
Alcohol: Withdrawal usually begins between eight hours of last drink up to a few days after drinking, peaks within 24-72 hours, and can last a few weeks, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Heroin: Withdrawal begins within 12 hours of the last dose, peaks within 24-48 hours, and lasts a week to up to a week (with some symptoms sometimes lasting months), per the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Prescription opiates (such as Vicodin, OxyContin, methadone, and morphine): Withdrawal starts in 8-12 hours for most prescription opiates, peaks in 12-48 hours, and lasts 5-10 days usually. Methadone withdrawal begins within 24-48 hours, peaks in the first few days, and lasts 2-4 weeks, per Cambridge Health Alliance.
Benzodiazepines (such as Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan): Withdrawal may begin within 1-4 days, peaking in the first two weeks. In some cases, protracted withdrawal can last months or even years without treatment, per the Comprehensive Handbook of Drug and Alcohol Addiction.
Cocaine: Withdrawal starts within hours of the last dose, peaking in a few days and lasting from a week to 10 weeks, per the Australian Government Department of Health.
If you would like to learn more about what to expect during detox, then contact Florida Center for Recovery today. We offer a wide range of treatment options for drug and alcohol addiction. Call 800-643-4005 to find out more about your treatment options.
Florida Center for Recovery
Clinical Excellence & Compassionate Care in a Healing Environment
Providing Addiction & Mental Health Treatment Since 2002
