When a person is contemplating starting their journey to recovery, the most asked question is “How long does addiction recovery take?”. Recovery from addiction is an ongoing process that requires a lifetime of work to maintain recovery. During addiction recovery, the process can be different for everyone, depending on the severity of one’s addiction, the substance that was used, and the frequency that it was used. Research has shown that the best outcomes for addiction recovery occur with longer durations of treatment. Keep reading to learn more about addiction and how long it lasts after starting recovery.
What are the Withdrawal Symptoms?
Physical withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Nausea, diarrhea, & vomiting – Shaking & Shivering
- Sweating – Fever and/or chills
- Runny nose – Increased heart rate
- Headaches – Increased blood pressure
- Exhaustion – Abdominal cramps
- Vivid & unpleasant dreams – Muscle & bone pain
Psychological withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Anxiety – Irritability
- Confusion – Paranoia
- Insomnia – Depression
- Agitation – Extreme mood swings
- Intense cravings for that substance – Inability to concentrate
In severe cases, an individual may experience hallucinations, delirium, and/or seizures.
How Long Do Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
The length of time that you might experience withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on several factors, including the type of drug that was used, how much, how long it has been, and whether you are stopping cold turkey or gradually tapering off of the drug. Common withdrawal timelines include:
- Alcohol: 5 – 7 days
- Opioids: 4 – 10 days
- Cannabis/Marijuana: 5 days
- Cocaine/Other Stimulants: 1 – 2 weeks
- Nicotine: 2 – 4 weeks
- Benzodiazepines: 1 – 4 weeks
How Long Does it Take to Break an Addiction?
According to research, it can take up to 90 days for an individual’s brain to reset itself and shake off the immediate influence of the drug that they were ingesting. This research may explain why individuals who commit to a 90-day rehabilitation program have a higher success rate than individuals who chose a short-term treatment option. In those 90 days, the brain has time to reset itself, allowing you to master the skills of recovery and break those patterns.
Just keep in mind that although science does show 90 days to be the gold standard of treatment, addiction is a life-long enemy and recovery is a daily battle to be fought, no matter how long that individual has been in recovery.
Start Your Road to Recovery Today
If you still aren’t sure about how the recovery process works, no need to worry. Here at Palmetto Addiction Recovery Center, we understand how nerve-wracking or intimidating it can be to start your addiction recovery journey and our team of professionals is here to help! Our recovery centers offer several different recovery programs to choose from, including residential treatment, professionals program, medical detox, intensive outpatient treatment, relapse track, 3-day evaluation, and a family program. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance addiction, call our office today at 318-728-2970!