How long is the drug detox process? If you are considering treatment, you’ve probably been told you’ll have to undergo detox first. But it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly how long the detox process lasts. Many drug and alcohol treatment centers are very forthcoming about the different lengths of treatment programs, but pinpointing the length of detox can be more challenging.
Peninsula Health Center is a trusted Palos Verdes drug rehab center that can help. Contact us today to learn more.
How Long Does Drug Detox Take?
It’s normal to feel apprehensive about committing to any form of treatment, especially when you realize that you have to go through detox. If you ask questions like “How long is the drug detox process,” it is essential to recognize that there are several influencing factors, which is highly personalized.
Substances Used
The biggest influencing factor in terms of how long does drug detox take is what substances you have used. Each substance comes with unique withdrawal symptoms and complications. Some substances have short detoxes, just a few days, while others can last up to one week or more.
How Much is Used
How much you use will directly influence the length of detox. The more you use, especially if you are using multiple substances, the higher the level of compounds that have built up in your system.
If you have higher levels of compounds in your system, it will take longer for them to be completely flushed.
Physical and Mental Health
Your physical and mental health will also influence the length of detox. If long-term drug abuse has weakened your immune system, detox might take longer because your body won’t be able to flush the toxins as quickly.
These are all factors that will be taken into account during your initial assessment. After that assessment, you’ll be given a recommendation for how long your detox process is expected to take.
How Long is The Drug Detox Process: Different Substances
One of the biggest influencing factors for the length of time required for detox is based on what substances you are using. It’s not uncommon for clients to be addicted to several substances, which can increase the length of time required as well.
Alcohol
For alcohol addiction, you’ll need medication-assisted treatment. Medication-assisted treatment uses FDA-approved medications to help avert serious withdrawal complications and provide medication for managing ongoing cravings.
Withdrawal symptoms will begin within twenty-four to seventy-two hours since your last drink. Your symptoms may ebb and flow, but all withdrawal symptoms will eventually reach a peak and then gradually decrease.
For alcohol, the average length of detox is up to eight days.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines like Valium or Xanax can take longer for withdrawal symptoms to begin. Many clients experience withdrawal within one to four days of their last dose. However, the symptoms of withdrawal can be complicated, and you can expect your length of detox to be up to fourteen days.
Cocaine
Cocaine manifests with predominantly psychological withdrawal symptoms, and these usually begin Within twenty-four hours of your last dose.
The average length of detox for cocaine is up to ten days. However, cocaine has the longest span of cravings; clients can expect severe cravings for up to six months after their initial detox.
Opioids
Opioids are another category of drugs that usually requires medication-assisted treatment. Whether you are struggling with addiction to prescription opioids or heroin, medication-assisted treatment can help alleviate some of the more severe withdrawal symptoms.
With opioids, you can expect your withdrawal symptoms to begin within eight to twenty-four hours after your last dose. However, the average length of detox is between four and ten days.
Choose Peninsula Health Center
If you are ready to start treatment, reach out to Peninsula Health Center. At our facility, you can get an initial assessment day or night. Whenever you contact our staff, we will walk you through what to expect for the detox process, including the length of your detox.
Our treatment center offers several levels of outpatient care. Many of our clients benefit from at-home detox services that are more convenient, especially for people who want to be in the comfort of their own homes during their withdrawal. We can help you set up your initial at-home detox, after which you can return to our facility for the remainder of your ongoing treatment and care.
Contact Peninsula Health Center today to learn more about the length of detox.
