Quitting addiction is a brave decision you make, but it often comes with a state of physical and emotional discomfort known as withdrawal. Someone involved may wonder, “How long will drug withdrawal last?” Knowing the answer enables one to go through this uneasy phase more comfortably. In this article, we will discuss drug withdrawal phases, and help you find out what to expect to reach full recovery.
What is Drug Withdrawal?
Drug withdrawal happens when your body is adapting itself to the absence of a substance that it has gotten used to. Over time, regular drug use ruins your body’s natural chemical balance. The brain, in particular, gets accustomed to the drug’s presence by altering its neurotransmitter production. When you stop using the drug abruptly, your body suddenly loses its balance. This state evokes some physiological responses to compensate for the missing substance.
Anxiety, depression, irritability, trouble sleeping, and difficulty concentrating are the most common physiological reactions in such conditions. Thankfully, it’s a temporary state. However, some factors cause the withdrawal duration to take longer for some people. Let’s explore the key reasons.
Factors Affecting Withdrawal Duration
The severity and duration of withdrawal are affected by several factors.
Drug Type
The type of drug plays a major role in the withdrawal experience. Stimulants (like cocaine and methamphetamine) result in intense, short-lived symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia. Opioids (like heroin and prescription painkillers), on the other hand, cause longer and harsher withdrawal effects such as muscle cramps, nausea, and vomiting.
Duration of Drug Use
The duration of drug consumption is another reason for harder withdrawals, which means that the longer a person takes a drug, the more severe the detox symptoms are.
Individual Differences
Distinctions in age, gender, overall health, and mental health also cause varied withdrawal experiences.
- Age: Adults over 65 years old usually suffer from more severe and prolonged symptoms due to their weakened liver and kidney function. In contrast, younger people often face less severe side effects and recover faster.
- Gender: Female and male hormonal differences cause men and women to experience drug withdrawal differently. For instance, due to the interaction of some types of drugs with estrogen and progesterone levels, mood-related symptoms are often more complicated for women.
- Overall health: People with better general health often cope better with withdrawal. Those with weak immune systems or chronic illnesses normally encounter a more challenging withdrawal process.
- Mental health: Pre-existing mental health conditions, such as depression, can significantly worsen withdrawal symptoms. For example, people suffering from a pre-existing anxiety disorder might experience more intense anxiety symptoms during withdrawal than those without such mental issues.
How Long Will Drug Withdrawal Last?
As described, withdrawal duration is influenced by numerous factors, the most important of which is the substance discontinued. However, regardless of the drug type, most withdrawals follow a pattern of acute and post-acute phases:
Acute Withdrawal is the initial phase of withdrawal that appears shortly after discontinuing a substance. A range of intense physical and psychological symptoms occur in this period.
Post-acute Withdrawal refers to the extended symptoms that arise after the acute phase has resolved. This stage is also known as Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS).
Here, we outline the withdrawal timelines for four different drug categories.
Stimulants (Cocaine, Methamphetamine)
Stimulant withdrawal is normally a two-phase journey.
The Acute Phase: This initial stage spans 1-3 days with intense but brief symptoms. During this period, you might face cravings, fatigue, irritability, sweating, tremors, chills, insomnia, deep depression, anxiety, and distraction.
The Post-acute Phase: This longer but milder phase usually takes weeks or months. Meanwhile, low motivation, anhedonia (difficulty finding pleasure in life), and sleep problems are expected.
Also, note that for those who have used stimulants in high doses for a long time, recovery is usually harder and slower.
Opioids (Heroin, Prescription Painkillers)
Opioid withdrawal is also a painful experience, as described below:
The Acute Phase: This initial phase, from 2 to 7 days, signifies the body’s attempt to adjust after the drug use is stopped. Common symptoms include muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, chills, sweating, and insomnia.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS): This stage usually takes weeks or months. Meanwhile, psychological and emotional problems such as anxiety, depression, cravings, and sleep issues can get annoying.
As is predictable, the severity of detox symptoms depends on the type of opioid used, the dosage, and the length of usage. High-dose users who quit abruptly often have to cope with the most intense symptoms.
Alcohol
Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, even fatal.
Acute Withdrawal: This phase begins 6–24 hours after the last drink, with symptoms such as anxiety, tremors, sweating, insomnia, and nausea. Sometimes, within 2-3 days, a person might develop delirium tremens (DTs), a condition of hallucinations, severe tremors, and fever.
Post-Acute Phase: The post-acute phase can continue for weeks to months after the acute phase. During this time, anxiety, depression, cravings, and ongoing sleep troubles are what individuals complain about.
The severity of alcohol withdrawal changes with the amount of alcohol consumed and the duration of the addiction.
Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium)
Benzodiazepine detoxification can be highly intense and long-lasting. Understanding the different phases of withdrawal can help prepare for it in advance.
Acute Phase: This stage typically lasts 1-4 weeks, with symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, tremors, muscle stiffness, and insomnia.
Post-acute Withdrawal: During this period, problems such as anxiety, depression, and concentration difficulties can last for months or even years.
Three key factors, including the type of benzodiazepine, the dosage, and the duration of use, worsen withdrawal symptoms. People who suddenly stop high-dose benzodiazepines are more likely to face a more severe detox period.
The bottom line
This article is a general guide for understanding drug withdrawal timelines. However, experiences can vary from one person to another. Physical condition, mental health, and genetics are among the key factors that intensify and prolong withdrawal.
Asking for professional medical guidance is helpful while you are dealing with drug withdrawal. Doctors can support you by making personalized plans and prescribing medication. With their expertise and treatment, you can move safely and confidently toward recovery.
