How Long Do Withdrawal Symptoms Last After Quitting Drugs/Alcohol?

Understanding the Duration of Withdrawal Symptoms

When someone who has been abusing alcohol or drugs for a prolonged period stops suddenly, they will likely experience some form of withdrawal. Withdrawal occurs because the body has adapted to the consistent presence of the substance. When the substance is taken away, the body goes into shock due to the sudden absence of something it has grown dependent on.

Every substance affects the body differently, so withdrawal duration and severity depends greatly on what the person was using. Factors like how much was used, how long the drug abuse lasted, method of ingestion, and individual attributes like genetics play major roles as well. In general though, the more severe the addiction, the more likely that withdrawal will be lengthy and dangerous.

Acute and Protracted Withdrawal

There are two overall phases of withdrawal – acute and protracted. Acute withdrawal refers to the immediate, typically more intense symptoms that start when someone stops using drugs or alcohol. Depending on the substance, acute symptoms tend to improve within days or weeks. Protracted withdrawal refers to lingering symptoms that may wax and wane over months following acute withdrawal.

How Long Does Acute Drug Withdrawal Last?

Every substance induces withdrawal differently based on its chemical makeup, half-life in the body, and more. However, in most cases, the acute phase with the most intense symptoms tends to improve within 5-7 days. Types of drugs and their associated acute withdrawal durations include:

• Alcohol – Typically peaks by 24-72 hours then improves over 5-7 days total.
• Opioids like heroin or painkillers – Peaks within 36-72 hours then lasts 5-10 days.
• Benzodiazepines like Xanax or Valium – Usually surfaces within 12-24 hours then lasts up to 3-4 weeks due to longer-acting nature.
• Stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine – Peaks quickly within 24 hours then lasts 1-3 weeks depending on severity of use.
• Marijuana – Onset varies but symptoms tend to resolve within 1-3 weeks.

What Factors Influence Withdrawal Duration?

While there are general guidelines for how long withdrawal takes with common drug types, many elements factor into individual experiences. Elements that typically extend the duration and severity of withdrawal include:

• Heavier, longer-term substance abuse – The longer and more intensely someone abuses a substance, the harsher withdrawal tends to be.
• Prior withdrawals and relapses – Interrupted efforts make future withdrawals progressively worse through a kindling effect.
• Co-occurring mental health issues – Pre-existing conditions like trauma or mood disorders negatively impact withdrawal.
• Genetics and family history – Those genetically prone to addiction tend to have amplified withdrawal reactions.
• Polydrug abuse – Mixing multiple substances makes withdrawal more complex and enduring.
• Environmental factors – Stressful conditions undermine coping resources needed to weather symptoms.

Most Dangerous Withdrawals

While no withdrawal period feels enjoyable, abruptly stopping certain substances poses higher risks of medical complications. Potentially life-threatening withdrawals requiring close monitoring and medical support include:

• Alcohol – Delirium tremens, seizures, cardiac issues, respiratory depression.
• Benzodiazepines – Seizures, delirium, suicidality, respiration suppression.
• Opiates – Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, heart problems.

Supportive medications and tapering approaches help mitigate risks during medically complex detoxes. Still, those facing potentially dangerous acute withdrawals need 24/7 support for days to weeks on average.

What to Expect During Protracted Withdrawal

After surviving the initial acute phase, many assume the hard part ends as they move past physical dependency. However, protracted or post-acute withdrawal often follows involving psychological and neurological issues that wax and wane unpredictably.

Also called PAWS, protracted withdrawal can begin within weeks after detox or hit months later. Indefinite in length, PAWS relates closely to how addiction changes brain structure and chemistry over time. Common lingering issues include:

• Mood swings and emotional dysregulation
• Impaired concentration and memory
• Sleep disruptions including insomnia or vivid dreams
• Physical sensitivities like light or sound sensitivity
• General fatigue, headaches, and irritability
• Drug cravings and thoughts of relapse

Research suggests protracted withdrawal usually improves steadily but very gradually over one’s first year of recovery. However, some may continue battling PAWS episodes over 2+ years, especially with opioids or other substance associated with severe addiction and changes in brain plasticity.

Why Does Protracted Withdrawal Occur?

Understanding a few key facts helps explain why protracted withdrawal follows acute detox for so many:

• Addictive drugs overload the pleasure and reward centers of the brain with excessive dopamine levels for long periods of time.
• Overwhelming the system prompts the brain to counterbalance by reducing natural dopamine production and reception over time via homeostatic mechanisms.
• When the substance disappears after quitting, a person faces dopamine deficiency making it difficult to regulate mood, cognition, motivation and more without the drug’s effects.
• Neuroplastic healing and restoring natural dopamine function is gradual, leading to drawn-out withdrawal struggles.

In essence, protracted withdrawal represents the lingering crash after an extended period of artificially-induced highs. Natural brain healing mechanisms work quite slowly following the dopamine dysregulation created through substance addiction.

Most Difficult Aspects of Protracted Withdrawal

Those facing protracted withdrawal report struggling emotionally as much or more than during acute withdrawal:

• Strong cravings and relapse triggers – Withdrawal kindling means each relapse potentially worsens addictive pathways and reactions over time.
• Depression, anxiety, irritability – Pre-existing mental health issues frequently resurface without substance numbing. Feelings of boredom, emptiness, or meaninglessness also often strike in sobriety.
• Fatigue and lack of motivation – Dopamine helps regulate drive and energy homeostasis. Deficiency saps both during PAWS.
• Social isolation – Many addicts lose intimate ties over years of addiction. Filling the void and creating substance-free relationships proves challenging.

Post-acute withdrawal often inflicts psychological wounds equal to or outdoing the trials of acute detox. But understanding it as an expected phase focused on neuro-rebalancing and brain healing makes the process less frightening.

Seeking Help for Both Phases of Withdrawal

Attempting withdrawal at home rarely ends well since both phases involve significant suffering. Seeking medical help improves comfort, safety and long-term recovery odds.

Benefits of Medically-Assisted Detox

Medically-assisted detox facilities help ease the acute phase using various supportive therapies like:

• Medications – Drugs like buprenorphine curb opioid withdrawal intensity without replacing one addiction for another.
• Nutritional therapies – IV fluids and vitamin formulations aid stabilization.
• Comfort measures – Massage, hot baths, and other services target physical symptoms.

Evidence clearly shows utilizing medical detox services leads to better acute withdrawal outcomes across metrics like craving reduction, rates of completion, and post-detox recovery program uptake.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.