If you have ever tried to quit using drugs and alcohol, you probably started to feel awful. Drug withdrawal can begin within hours of your last use, and you may find yourself using again just to feel better. But how long does drug withdrawal last? Well, it depends on the specifics of your drug use. Withdrawal symptoms can last for several days, depending on the drug used. Understanding this and knowing how to manage the symptoms is the key to building a life in recovery. You cannot create a life in recovery without first ridding your body of the drugs you have been using. At Marina Harbor Detox, we understand drug withdrawal, and we know how to get you through it safely.
What Is Drug Withdrawal?
Regular drug use changes your body and the pathways in your brain. When you stop using drugs, your body and your brain are thrown into a bit of a tailspin. It may seem counterintuitive that you will feel worse when you cease using drugs and alcohol, but that is what happens. Drug withdrawal is your body ridding itself of the poison, and it is not a pleasant process. The good news is that once you get past the initial withdrawal period, you will start to feel better. But how long does drug withdrawal last? Well, that depends on what drugs you have been using, how long you have been using, and how much you have been using. It can get even more complicated if you have been using multiple substances. Because drug withdrawal can be unpredictable and unpleasant, you will want to detox under supervision to ensure your safety.
How Long Does Drug Withdrawal Last?
If you want to understand what to expect during drug withdrawal, you can start by looking at the effects of the substances you have been using. While it can be more complex if you’ve been using multiple symptoms, you can expect many of your withdrawal symptoms to be the opposite of the drug’s effect. For example, if you have been using stimulants such as cocaine, you can expect to experience fatigue during your withdrawal. Stimulant withdrawal can last for weeks, but the symptoms are more psychological than physically dangerous.
If you are withdrawing from opioids, you will experience muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and restlessness. Opioid withdrawal will begin as soon as eight hours after using and may last up to ten days. Benzodiazepine and alcohol withdrawal are the most dangerous. Alcohol withdrawal can start within 4 hours of your last drink, with your symptoms peaking at forty-eight to seventy-two hours.
Benzo withdrawal can also begin the same day and can last for weeks. Both alcohol and benzo withdrawal can result in seizures which can be fatal if not managed appropriately. But what if you have been using multiple substances, then how long does drug withdrawal last? For most drugs, the acute withdrawal phase will not last longer than two weeks. However, you may continue to experience some symptoms beyond that initial two weeks. These symptoms will not be as life-threatening as the initial symptoms. Following detox with treatment is the key to making it through withdrawal and into a life in recovery.
How Marina Harbor Detox Can Help Your Manage Drug Withdrawal
Addiction is a tragic disease that is filled with irony. It seems unfair that you will feel worse when you stop taking drugs, but your body is rebooting itself after regular drug use. It won’t last forever, but it can be more manageable if you detox under supervision. At Marina Harbor Detox, our team of medical professionals understands what it takes to safely withdraw from drugs and begin a life in recovery. We provide a luxurious, intimate setting that relies on individualized care and a low patient-to-staff ratio. In addition, we will provide you with a structured, supportive environment to enable you to create life in long-term recovery. Contact us today to start your recovery journey.
