How Long Does Detox Take?

Going cold turkey when detoxing from drugs or alcohol can be painful. In fact, the thought of what one goes through during detox is often one of the biggest deterrents of reaching out to get help for an addiction. This is why medical detox programs are often the most popular method. For some people, such as women addicts who are pregnant, medical detox is safer. For others, it can make the difference between succeeding or failing. So, how long does detox take? That is a question that can only be answered in general terms because it depends on many factors.

Factors in the Length of Detox

How long does detox take? We can narrow it down to a fairly close range, but the timing of the detox process varies depending on a number of factors. Things as simple as your age and gender can affect the timing. Other factors include:

• Type of substance
• Length of time you have been abusing
• Amount of substance consumed regularly
• Your overall health
• Whether you consumed more than one substance
• Your mental health
• Medication assistance

We should make a note about rapid detox here. There is a method that has recently begun to fall out of favor with the medical community. This detox method, known as rapid detox, involved you being put under anesthetic and a chemical flushed through your body to eliminate all traces of the drug. While this quickly got rid of the physical traces, it did not help with the psychological symptoms. It is also considered dangerous because it puts your body through a kind of shock, which can have lasting effects on body systems, and possibly put so much strain on your heart that death occurs. Rapid detox is not a recommended method of detox.

How Long Does Detox Take?

When determining how long does detox take, you will need to consider the above factors. There is a general timeline you can use to get an estimated detox time, but keep in mind when using this that this is the actual physical detox period and the psychological detox can take much longer.

• Alcohol — Symptoms can begin within 24 hours and will peak at day 2 or 3. The worst of the physical symptoms are over in about a week.
• Benzos — Within hours of stopping you may start to experience anxiety. It normally only takes two days for the symptoms to peak but some individuals will have a delayed onset and not feel the worst of the detox symptoms for almost a week.
• Hallucinogens — Many people don’t feel any strong withdrawal symptoms and those who do are past that point within three days.
• Marijuana — There are few physical withdrawal symptoms related to marijuana abuse. The anxiety, insomnia, and loss of appetite will likely last approximately a week, or until your body starts to produce its own natural THC.
• Heroin — Symptoms can begin within hours. The first 5-7 days will seek symptoms peaking but you may experience digestive problems for a full two weeks after detox begins.
• Stimulants (Cocaine, Meth) — The main withdrawal symptoms of lethargy and mood changes will happen quickly. After a week, you may still be experiencing these, as well as occasional psychotic episodes. The psychological symptoms are strongest with this class of drugs and can persist for months.

How Long Does Detox Take At Vogue Recovery Center?

At Vogue Recovery Center we offer detox, including medical detox, in California, Nevada, and Arizona. Our trained staff understands the importance of constant monitoring during the detox process in order to help prevent any problems. Once done, we help you determine which course of action to follow next to help keep you clean and free of the addictive substance. Contact us at (866) 682-8449 if you or a loved one has reached the point where addiction help is the next step you want to take. We will be glad to help you find where your success lies.