If you’re searching for answers about how long does detoxification take, you’re likely facing a critical decision about your health or the health of someone you love. The uncertainty can feel overwhelming, but understanding the timeline helps you prepare for what’s ahead.
Most medically supervised detox programs last between 3 and 10 days, though some individuals require up to 2 weeks for safe acute withdrawal management. This article breaks down exactly what influences your detox time, what symptoms to expect, and why professional medical supervision makes all the difference.
Quick Answer: How Long Does Detox Really Take?
The short answer: the acute detox process typically takes 3 to 10 days under medical supervision, depending on the substance involved and your individual health profile. However, that number only tells part of the story.
For most people entering a licensed detox facility, the worst symptoms peak within the first 72 hours and begin improving by days 4 to 7. Alcohol detox usually resolves within 5 to 7 days for uncomplicated cases, while opioid withdrawal often clears within 7 to 10 days. Benzodiazepine detox is the exception—it frequently requires several weeks to months of gradual tapering to prevent dangerous complications.
Here’s what many people don’t expect: psychological symptoms like anxiety, depression, mood changes, and sleep disturbances can persist for weeks to months after the physical side of withdrawal ends. This phenomenon, called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), affects 60 to 90 percent of people who complete detox and can last up to 1 to 2 years in severe cases.
Typical Detox Range: 3–10 days for acute physical withdrawal symptoms; weeks to months for lingering psychological symptoms and cravings.
Multiple factors determine where you’ll fall on this spectrum: the type of substance you use, how long and how heavily you’ve been using, your age, your physical health, and whether you use multiple substances. Someone with a 20-year alcohol addiction will likely need longer stabilization than someone who developed dependence over a few months.
Withdrawal vs. Detox: Withdrawal refers to the symptoms your body produces when substances leave your system. Detox is the medical process of managing those symptoms safely while your body clears the drugs.
Critically, detox is only the first phase of your recovery journey. Completing detox prepares your brain and body for the real work of addiction treatment—therapy, skill-building, and relapse prevention. Without follow-up care through inpatient treatment or outpatient programs, relapse rates climb as high as 40 to 60 percent within 90 days.
For those in the Dallas area, Tru Dallas Detox offers the safest and fastest path through detoxification, with 24/7 medical oversight, individualized protocols, and seamless transition to continuing care.
What Is Medical Detoxification?
Medical detoxification is the professionally supervised process of eliminating alcohol, drugs, or other addictive substances from your body while safely managing the withdrawal symptoms that emerge. It’s not a passive “waiting it out” period—it’s an active medical intervention designed to stabilize your nervous system and prevent potentially life threatening complications.
The difference between home detox and medical detox is significant. When you attempt to detox at home, you’re without the medications that reduce tremors, control blood pressure, and prevent seizures. You lack continuous vital sign monitoring, IV fluids for dehydration, and immediate access to emergency care. Medical professionals in a licensed facility can intervene the moment symptoms become dangerous.
Medical detox focuses on immediate physical stabilization:
Monitoring vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, temperature)
Administering medications to manage withdrawal symptoms
Providing IV fluids and nutritional support
Preventing and treating complications like seizures or alcohol withdrawal delirium
Ensuring patient safety around the clock
What detox does not do is cure addiction or address the underlying causes of substance use disorder. Detox doesn’t fix trauma, treat depression or anxiety, or change the habits that led to dependence. Think of it as clearing the physical crisis so your brain can engage meaningfully in therapy and rehabilitation.
At Tru Dallas Detox, the environment is designed for both safety and comfort: private rooms, a nursing station with constant coverage, a quiet atmosphere conducive to rest, and 24/7 access to medical staff and clinicians. This is where the detoxification process begins—but not where your recovery ends.
How Long Does Detox Take by Substance?
Every substance has its own pharmacological profile, which means the timeline for withdrawal and detox differs based on what you’ve been using. Understanding these differences helps set realistic expectations and explains why some people move through detox quickly while others require extended stabilization.
The general pattern holds across substances: symptoms typically begin within a few hours to a few days after your last use, peak during the first several days, and gradually improve over the following week. But the specifics matter.
Alcohol Detox
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can begin as early as 6 to 8 hours after your last drink. Early symptoms include anxiety, tremors, nausea, and sweating. Symptoms typically peak at 24 to 72 hours, when the risk for seizures and hallucinations is highest. For most people, the acute phase of alcohol detox lasts 4 to 7 days.
Severe cases involving heavy alcohol use over many years carry higher risk. About 3 to 5 percent of people experiencing alcohol withdrawal develop delirium tremens (DTs), a dangerous condition marked by severe confusion, agitation, fever, and cardiovascular instability. When DTs occur, alcohol withdrawal symptoms may extend to 10 days or longer and require intensive medical supervision.
Opioid Detox
Opioid withdrawal from substances like heroin, oxycodone, or fentanyl typically begins 6 to 24 hours after the last dose. Symptoms include body aches, intense drug cravings, diarrhea, vomiting, and increased anxiety. Peak intensity usually hits between days 2 and 4.
The acute phase of opioid withdrawal generally resolves within 7 to 10 days, though cravings, insomnia, and mood instability can persist for several weeks. Long-acting opioids like methadone have delayed onset (12 to 48 hours) and may extend the detox timeline to 10 to 14 days or more when using a taper protocol.
Benzodiazepine Detox
Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Valium) require the most cautious approach. Withdrawal symptoms may not begin until 1 to 4 days after the last dose, depending on whether the drug is short-acting or long-acting.
Because abrupt benzodiazepine cessation can trigger seizures and severe rebound anxiety, medically assisted detox typically involves a slow taper lasting several weeks to months. This is not a process to rush—doing so risks serious withdrawal symptoms and a phenomenon called kindling, where each subsequent withdrawal becomes more severe.
Stimulant Detox
Cocaine and methamphetamine withdrawal follows a different pattern. The “crash” phase—marked by extreme fatigue, depression, and increased appetite—often begins within 24 hours of last use and lasts 3 to 5 days.
Physical detox symptoms from stimulants are generally less dangerous than alcohol or benzos, but psychological symptoms can be intense. Mood changes, sleep disturbances, anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), and cravings may persist for 2 to 3 weeks or longer as dopamine systems recalibrate.
Marijuana and Other Substances
Cannabis withdrawal is usually milder but still uncomfortable. Symptoms like irritability, restlessness, insomnia, and cravings typically peak within 1 to 3 days and resolve over 2 weeks to a month. Not everyone who stops using marijuana will experience symptoms, but those with daily, long-term use often do.
Other substances each have their own profiles. Polysubstance use—using multiple substances simultaneously—complicates everything, often doubling detox time and increasing the risk of overlapping withdrawal syndromes.
Typical Detox Timeline: What Happens Day by Day?
While every person’s experience differs based on the substance involved and individual factors, many detox stays follow a recognizable pattern. Here’s a realistic walkthrough of what to expect during your first week at a facility like Tru Dallas Detox.
Days 0–1: The First 24 Hours
The detox process begins when you arrive, often while still under the influence or within a few hours of your last use. Staff conduct a thorough assessment: substance use history, medical conditions, mental health screening, and lab work to establish baselines.
Within the first 24 hours, early symptoms of withdrawal emerge. You might experience anxiety, restlessness, sweating, elevated heart rate, and difficulty sleeping. For alcohol users, tremors may already be noticeable. Medical professionals establish your medication plan and begin symptom management.
Days 1–3: Peak Intensity
For most substances, this window brings the worst symptoms. Blood pressure and heart rate fluctuations require close monitoring. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common. Psychological symptoms intensify—agitation, severe anxiety, and for some, hallucinations.
At Tru Dallas Detox, nursing staff check vitals frequently during this phase. Medications are adjusted in real-time based on your symptoms. Some patients with severe alcohol withdrawal require benzodiazepines to prevent seizures; those in opioid withdrawal may receive buprenorphine or clonidine for comfort.
Days 3–5: Beginning to Stabilize
By day 3 to 5, most patients notice symptoms beginning to lessen. Sleep improves. Appetite starts returning. The acute crisis phase is winding down, though you’re far from feeling normal.
This is when transition planning begins in earnest. Staff work with you to identify next steps—whether that’s residential treatment, intensive outpatient programming, or other addiction treatment options.
Days 5–10: Lingering Symptoms and Preparation
Physical withdrawal symptoms continue to fade, but fatigue, mild anxiety, and cravings often remain. This phase focuses on building routines: regular meals, hydration, light activity, and beginning to engage with therapy or support groups.
Some patients—particularly those with complex medical histories, co-occurring mental health conditions, or a history of polysubstance use—may need 10 to 14 days or longer in detox for complete stabilization before safely transitioning to the next level of care.
Key Factors That Affect How Long Detox Takes
No two detox timelines are identical. Understanding the multiple factors that influence your specific timeline helps explain why your experience might differ from averages.
Length of Use
Someone who has used alcohol or drugs daily for 10 years has built deeper physical dependence than someone who developed a problem over 6 months. Longer use typically means more prolonged withdrawal and a longer detox stay.
Amount and Frequency
Heavy daily use creates more significant physiological adaptation than occasional binge patterns. A person who drinks a fifth of liquor daily faces higher risk for severe withdrawal than someone who binges on weekends, even if total consumption is similar.
Type of Substance and Method of Use
Substances stay in your body for different periods based on their half-lives. Short-acting drugs like heroin clear quickly but trigger rapid-onset withdrawal. Long-acting substances like methadone take longer to clear but produce more gradual, extended withdrawal. Intravenous use often creates faster, more intense dependence than oral ingestion.
Medical and Mental Health Conditions
Liver or kidney disease slows drug metabolism, potentially extending detox time. Heart conditions increase risks during the cardiovascular stress of withdrawal. Co-occurring mental health disorders—depression, anxiety, PTSD—can intensify psychological symptoms and require integrated treatment approaches.
Age, Genetics, and Metabolism
Older adults typically metabolize substances more slowly. Genetic variations affect enzyme activity; for example, certain genetic variants slow alcohol metabolism in 30 to 50 percent of people of East Asian descent. Body weight and composition influence drug distribution and clearance.
Polysubstance Use
Using multiple substances simultaneously—such as alcohol combined with benzodiazepines, or opioids plus stimulants—almost always lengthens detox. The body must manage overlapping withdrawal syndromes, and medication protocols become more complex.
Previous Detox or Withdrawal History
Past episodes of severe withdrawal, especially seizures or delirium tremens, predict higher risk for future episodes. The nervous system becomes sensitized, making each subsequent withdrawal potentially more dangerous. Patients with this history often require longer, more cautious detox protocols.
Withdrawal Symptoms During Detox: What to Expect
Approximately half of people who stop heavy alcohol use and a significant proportion of those discontinuing other substances experience noticeable withdrawal symptoms. Severity ranges from mild discomfort to life threatening emergencies.
Mild to Moderate Symptoms
Most people experience some combination of these during the acute phase:
Anxiety and restlessness
Sweating and chills
Tremors and shakiness
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Insomnia and sleep disturbances
Headaches
Body aches and muscle pain
Intense drug cravings
Irritability and mood changes
Heart palpitations
These symptoms are uncomfortable but generally not dangerous when properly managed. Medical professionals at detox facilities provide medications and supportive care to reduce their intensity.
Serious and Dangerous Symptoms
Some people—particularly those with heavy alcohol or benzodiazepine dependence—face more severe withdrawal symptoms:
High blood pressure and rapid heart rate
Severe agitation and confusion
Visual or auditory hallucinations
Seizures (occurring in 5 to 15 percent of heavy alcohol users)
Delirium tremens (confusion, fever, cardiovascular instability)
Suicidal thoughts or severe depression
Delirium tremens occurs in 3 to 5 percent of people experiencing alcohol withdrawal and carries a 1 to 2 percent mortality rate when untreated. This is why medical attention during alcohol detox is essential—not optional.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
After the acute phase ends, many people experience lingering psychological symptoms for weeks to months. PAWS symptoms include:
Persistent anxiety and depression
Mood swings and emotional instability
Difficulty concentrating
Low motivation and anhedonia
Continued sleep problems
Ongoing cravings
PAWS can last anywhere from several weeks to over a year, depending on the substance and individual factors. Understanding that these symptoms are normal—and temporary—helps prevent discouragement during early recovery.
At Tru Dallas Detox, clinicians use evidence-based medications to manage withdrawal symptoms effectively. For alcohol withdrawal, benzodiazepines help prevent seizures and reduce tremors. For opioid detox, medications like buprenorphine ease cravings and physical discomfort. This medically assisted detox approach significantly reduces suffering and risk.
Warning: New or rapidly worsening symptoms—especially chest pain, difficulty breathing, confusion, or seizures—require immediate emergency medical attention. Do not wait.
Why Medical Detox Is Safer Than Detoxing at Home
Attempting to quit cold turkey without medical supervision is one of the most dangerous decisions someone with a substance use disorder can make. This is especially true for alcohol, benzodiazepines, and high-dose opioid dependence.
The Risks of At-Home Detox
When you attempt unsupervised detox, you face:
Seizures – Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal can trigger grand mal seizures, sometimes fatal
Delirium tremens – Severe alcohol withdrawal can progress to life threatening confusion and cardiovascular collapse
Severe dehydration – Vomiting and diarrhea without IV fluid support lead to dangerous electrolyte imbalances
Suicidal thoughts – Severe depression during stimulant or alcohol withdrawal increases suicide risk
Relapse – Without medication to manage withdrawal symptoms, intense discomfort drives 70 to 90 percent of people back to using before withdrawal completes
Statistics are stark: unassisted withdrawal from alcohol and opioids carries 10 to 20 times higher mortality risk compared to medically supervised detox.
What Medical Supervision Provides
Professional detox programs offer:
Continuous monitoring of vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, oxygen levels)
Immediate access to emergency medical intervention
Medications to manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications
IV fluids and nutritional support
Psychiatric support for co-occurring mental health issues
Safe, structured environment away from triggers
Research shows that patients who complete medically supervised detox are 28 percent more likely to achieve long-term sobriety than those who attempt unsupervised withdrawal.
A Note on “Detox Teas” and Fad Cleanses
Products marketed as “detox” drinks, teas, or supplements have nothing to do with treating chemical dependence. They do not reduce withdrawal symptoms, prevent seizures, or help your body clear addictive substances safely. True detoxification for substance use disorder requires medical intervention—not consumer products.
If you have a history of heavy alcohol use, benzodiazepine use, or past severe withdrawal including seizures, do not detox alone. Seek professional medical detox immediately.
Tru Dallas Detox is the premier medical detox option in Dallas, Texas. With 24/7 medical staff, individualized medication protocols, and rapid admission for people already in crisis, Tru Dallas Detox provides the safe, compassionate environment that at-home detox simply cannot match.
After Detox: How Long Does Recovery Take?
Completing detox is a significant accomplishment—but it’s the beginning of your recovery journey, not the end. Full recovery involves brain healing, behavioral change, trauma processing, and lifestyle restructuring that takes months to years.
The Transition to Treatment
Most people leaving detox transition directly into the next level of addiction treatment:
Residential/inpatient treatment – 30 to 90 days of intensive therapy in a structured environment
Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) – Several hours of treatment daily while living at home or in sober housing
Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) – Regular therapy sessions (typically 9+ hours weekly) while maintaining daily responsibilities
Standard outpatient – Weekly therapy and support group participation
The specific path depends on your needs, the severity of your addiction, and your support system at home.
The Longer Timeline of Recovery
Psychological healing doesn’t happen in a few days. Your brain needs time to restore normal neurotransmitter function—particularly in dopamine and GABA systems disrupted by chronic substance use. This process takes months.
Rebuilding relationships, establishing new routines, developing coping skills, addressing underlying trauma, and restoring physical health all take time. Most addiction specialists consider the first year of recovery the highest-risk period for relapse, with ongoing support remaining important for years afterward.
The Importance of Continuing Care
Evidence strongly supports that continuing care after detox dramatically reduces relapse risk:
Ongoing counseling or therapy
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid or alcohol use disorder
Peer support groups (AA, NA, SMART Recovery)
Sober living environments
Regular check-ins with treatment providers
Without follow-up care, 40 to 60 percent of people relapse within 90 days of detox. With appropriate continuing care, outcomes improve substantially.
Tru Dallas Detox coordinates seamless next-step placement before your detox ends. Their team connects patients with trusted Dallas-area residential programs, outpatient providers, psychiatric services, and sober living resources—ensuring there’s no gap in your care.
How Tru Dallas Detox Helps You Through Every Stage
When you’re ready to stop using alcohol or drugs, Tru Dallas Detox stands as the best treatment option in Dallas, Texas. Specializing in medical detox for alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, and polysubstance use, Tru Dallas Detox combines clinical excellence with genuine compassion.
Rapid, Accessible Intake
Many people reach out when they’re already experiencing withdrawal symptoms and need help immediately. Tru Dallas Detox offers same-day or next-day admissions for individuals in crisis. The intake team conducts thorough assessments of your substance use history, medical conditions, and mental health needs to build your individualized treatment plan.
Personalized Detox Protocols
No two patients receive identical treatment. Your detox plan includes:
Tailored medication protocols based on your specific substances and withdrawal risk
Nutritional support and hydration
Sleep stabilization strategies
Comfort measures to minimize suffering
Mental health support for co-occurring conditions
Round-the-Clock Medical Care
Nursing staff monitor patients continuously, and physicians remain on-call to adjust treatment as your symptoms change. This constant vigilance means complications are caught early and managed immediately—something impossible in at-home detox.
Seamless Transition Planning
Before your detox concludes, the Tru Dallas Detox team begins planning your next steps. They work with local treatment centers, outpatient programs, and psychiatric providers to ensure you have a clear path forward. No one leaves without a plan.
A Safe, Healing Environment
The facility provides private rooms, a calm atmosphere, and staff who understand what you’re going through. This isn’t a hospital ward—it’s a space designed specifically for people beginning their recovery.
Detox is the first step toward reclaiming your life from substance use. Whether you’re facing alcohol addiction, opioid dependence, or polysubstance use, the timeline is manageable with the right support.
If you or someone you love is struggling, don’t wait until withdrawal symptoms become dangerous. Call Tru Dallas Detox today for a confidential assessment. Same-day admission is available for those in crisis. The recovery journey starts with one decision—make it now.