How Long is a Detox Program?

If you or someone close to you is dealing with an addiction, you’ve probably read that the first step is detox. But what is detox? How long is a detox program? Understanding what to expect from each stage in recovery can help prepare you for the steps ahead. 

What is a Detox Program?

A detox program refers to the first step in addiction recovery: your detoxification. This is a process where you will face withdrawal symptoms but in a managed, supervised setting. 

It is often a requirement for severe addiction before you transition into the rest of your therapies. 

Depending on the substance, you might be required to complete a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program for detox, using FDA-approved medications to make the process easier. 

How Long is a Detox Program?

The length of your program averages 7-10 days for detox alone, but this is also based on the substance and your personal history with addiction/physical and mental health. 

The biggest indicator of the length of your detox program is the substance from which you are detoxing, as each substance has its own set of symptoms and its own timeline. If you are detoxing from several substances, that timeline might look a little different. 

Heroin

How long is a detox program for heroin? An average of 7-10 days. 

• Phase 1: The first phase starts within the first six hours of your last hit, and symptoms will include nausea, muscle spasms, abdominal pain, sweating, and shaking.
• Phase 2: The symptoms begin to peak during the first three days with intense cravings, nervousness, agitation, shaking, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pain.
• Phase 3: The final phase takes place during days seven through ten, on average, where your symptoms begin to subside but you might still experience the same symptoms you had at the start. 

Opioids

How long is a detox program for opioids? An average of 7 days. 

• Phase 1: The first phase starts within the first six to twelve hours of your last hit, and symptoms will include excessive yawning, sweating, nausea, fever, insomnia, runny nose, anxiety, mood swings, and problems concentrating.
• Phase 2: The symptoms begin to peak during the first thirty-six to forty-eight hours from your last dose, and this phase is where most people need medically supervised opioid detox because the symptoms include intense cravings, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cramps, goosebumps, severe insomnia, hallucinations, and even seizures.
• Phase 3: The final phase takes place after about one week, when symptoms will diminish, but you might still experience drug cravings, anxiety, or depression. 

Cocaine

How long is a detox program for cocaine? An average of 10 days (with severe cravings up to 30 weeks).

• Phase 1: The first phase starts within ninety minutes of your last dose when you experience a crash with symptoms like depression, exhaustion, irritability, and increased appetite.
• Phase 2: The symptoms begin to peak during the first three days, sometimes lasting up to ten weeks, with difficulty concentrating, lethargy, and extreme irritability. 
• Phase 3: The final phase for cocaine is the longest and can take up to thirty weeks. This is called the extinction phase*. For some people, the final symptoms last ten weeks but can take up to several months, where you are more likely to experience extreme cravings.

*You do not require continued hospitalized medical supervision during this phase but rather will transition into your residential treatment program and receive supervision there.

Alcohol

How long is a detox program for alcohol? An average of 6 days. 

• Phase 1: The first phase starts within the first eight hours of your last drink. Symptoms include nausea, abdominal pain, headache, anxiety, and insomnia.
• Phase 2: The symptoms begin to peak around twenty four to seventy two hours after your last drink. During this phase you will experience symptoms like atypical heart rate, confusion, high blood pressure, increased body temperature, and may experience fever, agitation, hallucinations, and seizures.
• Phase 3: The final phase is about five to seven days after your last drink, though some psychological side effects may persist. 

Note: With all detox programs, the length of your detox timeline refers to how long it takes for substances to be flushed from your body, but it is common for people to still experience side effects while they are in residential treatment, like agitation, insomnia, anxiety, or cravings. The therapeutic side of your residential program helps tackle these elements. 

Getting Help from American Detox

No matter what substances you are struggling with, American Detox can help. We offer trusted drug rehab for veterans and individualized programs for First Responders, too. 

Before your detox begins, our team will go over what to expect in terms of detox timeline and symptoms based on your assessment. Some drugs are primarily physical in their symptoms while others are mostly psychological but being prepared can help you know what’s coming. 

At our center, we provide twenty-four-hour supervision during your detox to ensure you are given the medications you need to reduce the risk of complications and to remain as comfortable as possible during your first few days. Our goal is to ensure you are able to transition through your detox and into the rest of your residential care as safely and effectively as possible. 

Call us today to get help with your detox plan now.