How Long Does It Take to Detox?

Detox usually lasts at least a couple of days, but many factors can affect how long detox lasts and your side effects. Getting proper care during this sensitive time is vital. Licensed professionals will help you understand how long the detox process is and safely guide you through it.

These days can provide an opportunity to start a healthier life, and detox can help lay the foundation for success. Residential or outpatient treatment can further equip you with necessary skills to maintain sobriety. To begin your journey towards a healthier life, explore the various detox services available.

Factors Affecting Detox Duration

Here are 4 things to consider when talking with a doctor about what your detox process will look like:

• How long you’ve been using the substance
• To what extent you’ve been using the substance
• If you’ve been using just one substance vs multiple substances
• Individual factors, such as overall health, mental health conditions, and metabolism

Detox Timeline for Common Substances

Every substance, and every person, is different, but this is what you can expect to encounter during detox for each substance. 

Alcohol

Alcohol detox usually lasts 2 – 10 days¹. Symptoms appear within 6 – 24 hours after quitting drinking and are most severe during the 36 – 72 hour period. Symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Tremors

• Dehydration
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Nausea and vomiting

Severe withdrawal may involve complications like:

• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Delirium tremens
• Extreme agitation

Alcohol detox can be life threatening, so doing this with medical care is vital.

Opioids/Heroin

Opioids are drugs such as heroin, opium, morphine, codeine, and methadone. Detox can last 4 – 20 days, depending on the opioid used¹. Quick-acting opioids like heroin typically have a shorter duration than long-acting opioids like fentanyl. Withdrawal symptoms usually appear in 8 – 12 hours after quitting. Symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Hot and cold flashes
• Sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Diarrhea

Opioid withdrawal can be safely worked through as long as you are detoxing with medical supervision. 

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are psychoactive drugs that act as central nervous system depressants. Doctors prescribe them to treat anxiety and sleeping disorders. This drug is relatively easy to become addicted to, so if you are prescribed benzodiazepines, you should use them with caution.

Detox typically lasts 2 – 8 weeks, depending on the benzodiazepine. Quick acting benzodiazepines, like oxazepam, have a shorter detox period¹, while clonazepam and other long acting ones have longer detox periods. Symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Restlessness
• Agitation
• Poor concentration and memory
• Muscle pains

Benzodiazepine withdrawal could be fatal, so it’s important to taper off these with guidance from medical professionals.

Meth/Stimulants

Stimulants are drugs such as methamphetamine, amphetamine, and cocaine. Detox usually lasts 3 – 5 days¹, and symptoms begin within 24 hours of quitting. Symptoms include:

• Agitation and irritability
• Depression
• Increased sleeping and appetite
• Muscle aches

Particularly those who use methamphetamine can develop hallucinations, paranoia, or depressed thoughts during detox.

Meth and stimulant withdrawal can be safely worked through as long as you detox with medical support. 

Barbiturates

Barbiturates are depressant drugs prescribed for sleep aid, muscle spasms, anxiety relief, and seizure prevention. Detox usually lasts around 2 weeks, and symptoms appear 2 – 4 days after stopping the medication². Symptoms include:

• Anxiety  
• Restlessness  
• Insomnia  
• Rhythmic intention tremor (a rhythmic and intense tremor during certain movements³)
• Dizziness
• Seizures
• Psychosis

Barbiturate detox can be life-threatening, so it’s vital to do so under medical supervision.

Marijuana

Marijuana detox typically lasts 1 – 2 weeks¹, and the symptoms are relatively mild compared to other detoxification processes. However, this can still be an uncomfortable experience. Symptoms include:

• Anxiety 
• Feelings of fear or dissociation
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Poor appetite
• Disturbed sleep
• Gastrointestinal upsets
• Night sweats
• Tremors

Marijuana withdrawal can be safely worked through as long as you detox with medical supervision.