How Long is the Withdrawal Effect?
How Long Does Withdrawal from Alcohol or Drugs Last?
The withdrawal symptoms that you may experience when attempting to quit drinking or using drugs after a physical dependence range from discomfort to serious medical concerns. Together with intense cravings, these symptoms can make stopping substance abuse seem like an out-of-reach goal. However, through our supportive medical detox services at Discovery Point Retreat, you can make a full recovery at the pace that is right for you. But just how long is the withdrawal effect? Generally speaking, withdrawal lasts around five to seven days.
The Average Length of the Effects of Withdrawal
In order to answer the question “how long is the withdrawal effect?” we must explore what withdrawal is. Withdrawal from drugs or alcohol happens after a person has become physically dependent on a substance. This occurs due to frequent, heavy abuse of a substance, but can happen even faster based on your unique genetics, which can change the way a certain substance affects you.
In most cases of withdrawal from alcohol or drugs, the answer to the question “how long is the withdrawal effect?” is between five and seven days. Withdrawal symptoms may start after just a few hours or may take up to two days before they begin to set in. After about 48 hours have passed, the symptoms that are associated with each substance tend to peak, but may take 72 hours to reach their highest intensity depending on the individual.
After about five to seven days, most of the serious and uncomfortable symptoms will have passed, and you will begin to feel better. Withdrawal isn’t something that should stop you from reaching the life you want to live; Discovery Point Retreat can assist you with our medical detox programs to make the entire experience much easier and more comfortable.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
While the answer to the question “how long is the withdrawal effect?” tends to be about a week, there are cases where withdrawal will last for weeks and even years. Sometimes your brain chemistry will take longer to readjust after becoming reliant on alcohol or drugs such as meth, opioid prescription drugs, or cocaine. This may result in you experiencing a condition known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), as explained by research.
PAWS symptoms tend to manifest psychologically as opposed to physically. In the early stages of a withdrawal, a person may have physical health effects such as stomach pain, nausea, and headaches. The symptoms of PAWS, however, tend to include some of the following symptoms:
- Sleep disturbances such as insomnia
- Difficulty concentrating and foggy thinking
- Fatigue
- Lack of motivation and enthusiasm
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Irritability
These psychological issues can persist for months or even years; however, seeking medical assistance during the detox process can help to mitigate these effects.
How to Safely and Comfortably Overcome Withdrawal
Discovery Point Retreat provides comprehensive, individualized medical detox programs that can greatly assist you through the withdrawal phase of recovery. If you have experienced withdrawal, you understand how difficult it can be to maintain one’s commitment to sobriety while undergoing its unpleasant side effects. We understand the dangers and difficulties of undergoing withdrawal alone and can offer you a way to safely deal with symptoms in a controlled environment.
Not only do we provide around-the-clock care to make sure that any prior medical condition you have or severe symptoms you might experience are managed safely, but we also provide you with medication to reduce symptoms. Your withdrawal can be managed and treated with the FDA-approved medications that Discovery Point Retreat can supply. These medications also become an excellent way to overcome potential post-acute withdrawal symptoms, helping you to break a dependence and get into the state of mind where healing can begin.
Contact us today at 855-306-8054 to discover just how we can make your transition from substance abuse to a healthy new lifestyle possible.