How Long Does Detox Take? Timelines by Substance and What Changes Them

For most substances, medical detox lasts a few days to two weeks. Benzodiazepines can take longer, because the dose has to come down slowly.

From our experience, this question usually comes from someone juggling a job, kids or a family who needs them. You want a number you can put on a calendar. This guide gives an honest range for each substance, with the medical source behind it. It also explains why our medical team, not the calendar, decides when detox is done.

Key takeaways

• Heroin withdrawal typically begins 8 to 12 hours after the last dose and eases within 3 to 5 days (SAMHSA TIP 45)¹.
• Alcohol withdrawal symptoms tend to start within 8 hours of the last drink. They peak by 24 to 72 hours, though some can go on for weeks (MedlinePlus)².
• A benzodiazepine taper can run several weeks or months, because stopping suddenly can cause seizures (SAMHSA TIP 45¹, FDA³).

How long does detox take?

Medical detox usually takes a few days to two weeks. The substance sets most of that range. Heavy or long-term use, or using more than one substance, can push it longer. Benzodiazepines are the main exception, because a safe taper can take weeks or months. Our medical team adjusts the plan as withdrawal unfolds.

So how long is detox at SOBA Recovery? Our medical detox in Arizona runs a few days to a couple of weeks. The exact length depends on the substance and how severe the dependence is.

One SoberRecovery forum member, who drank 10 to 15 units a day, wrote: “Day 10 - start feeling normal being sober.” Everyone’s timeline is different, which is why we plan detox around the person.

How long does drug detox take for each substance?

How long drug detox takes depends mostly on the substance. Heroin withdrawal usually eases within 3 to 5 days. Alcohol withdrawal tends to peak by day 3. Stimulants and benzodiazepines can take weeks. The table below shows when withdrawal usually starts and how long it lasts, with the medical source for each row.

Substance	When withdrawal starts	How long it usually lasts	Source
Alcohol	Within 8 hours of the last drink, sometimes days later	Peaks by 24 to 72 hours; some symptoms go on for weeks	MedlinePlus²
Heroin	8 to 12 hours after the last dose	Eases within 3 to 5 days	SAMHSA TIP 45¹
Stimulants (cocaine, meth)	Varies; the source gives no set start	Often clears after several days; can last 3 to 4 weeks	SAMHSA TIP 45¹
Benzodiazepines	Varies; the source gives no set start	Taper over several weeks or months; some symptoms last up to 12 months	SAMHSA TIP 45¹, FDA³

SAMHSA TIP 45¹ gives a slightly different start for alcohol. It says acute withdrawal signs generally begin 6 to 24 hours after the last drink.

A binge drinker on the SoberRecovery forum wrote about day 4. “Day 4: almost normal. Slight headache and some shakes still, but for the most part done.”

For the full picture, see our alcohol withdrawal timeline and opioid withdrawal timeline. We also cover heroin detox and withdrawal and benzo withdrawal in depth. Our clinical team uses these ranges as a starting point, then plans around your health.

Which drug takes the longest to detox from?

Benzodiazepines usually take the longest to detox from. The dose has to come down slowly, often over several weeks or months. Stopping suddenly can cause seizures. Even after the taper, some symptoms can linger. The FDA³ notes protracted withdrawal can last beyond 4 to 6 weeks, and sometimes up to 12 months.

That’s why we never rush a benzodiazepine taper. Our medical team sets the pace based on how your body responds.

What are the stages of detox?

Detox has three stages. It starts with an evaluation, moves through medical stabilization while withdrawal runs its course, and ends with the move into longer-term treatment. Each stage has its own job. Together, they aim for a safe withdrawal and a smooth start to the treatment that follows.

Here’s how the stages of detox work, based on SAMHSA TIP 45¹:

1. Evaluation. Our clinical team assesses your health and substance use when you arrive. This first look helps us foresee what could complicate withdrawal.
2. Stabilization. This is the withdrawal itself. Our medical team monitors you around the clock and manages symptoms as they come.
3. Moving into treatment. The goals of detox are a safe withdrawal and entry into long-term treatment. We start planning that step early.

What happens on day 3 of detox?

For alcohol, day 3 falls inside the 24 to 72 hour window when withdrawal symptoms tend to peak². Day 3 is often one of the hardest stretches. That’s why close medical monitoring matters so much at this point. For many people, a turn comes soon after.

A man on day three of quitting alcohol described it on the SoberRecovery forum. “I finally got some decent sleep (4 hours) last night,” he wrote. He “woke up feeling 10 times better than yesterday and 20 times better than day 1.”

For a closer look at the full process, read what happens during drug detox.

How long do withdrawal symptoms last after detox?

Some withdrawal symptoms can outlast detox itself. After alcohol, sleep changes, rapid mood changes and fatigue may last for months². After long-term heavy cocaine use, craving and depression can also last for months⁴. These later symptoms don’t mean detox failed. They’re a big reason detox works best as a first step.

MedlinePlus also notes that cocaine withdrawal may come with suicidal thoughts in some people. If that’s happening to you or someone you love, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Our clinical team watches for these longer-lasting symptoms and plans support that continues after detox.

What changes how long detox takes?

Four things shape how long detox lasts: the substance, how much and how long someone used, mixing substances, and physical and mental health. No two timelines match. Our medical team reviews all four at admission, then adjusts the plan as withdrawal unfolds day by day.

• The substance. Each one follows its own curve, as the table above shows.
• How much and how long. MedlinePlus² notes that the more often a person drinks, the more likely withdrawal is.
• Mixing substances. When withdrawals overlap, the plan has to cover each one.
• Physical and mental health. Certain other medical problems can make alcohol withdrawal more severe. When a mental health condition is part of the picture, our dual diagnosis treatment addresses both together.

Vital signs also guide the timing. A person who went through a detox program shared this on the SoberRecovery forum. “My blood pressure was also quite elevated, but it gradually went down and stabilized after 4-5 days. (This is one of the ways they determine how long you need to spend in detox.)”

So how long does detox last for you? We can’t give a firm number until our clinical team has assessed you.

Is it safe to detox at home?

Detoxing at home is not safe for alcohol or benzodiazepines. Stopping either one suddenly can cause seizures, which can be life-threatening. A medical team should manage that withdrawal. Other substances carry their own risks too, so talk with a medical professional before stopping anything on your own.

The FDA³ warns that stopping benzodiazepines abruptly, or cutting the dose too fast, can cause withdrawal reactions. These include seizures, which can be life-threatening. For alcohol, MedlinePlus² says to call 911 if any of these occur:

• Seizures
• Fever
• Severe confusion
• Hallucinations
• An irregular heartbeat

One drinker who tried to quit alone put it simply on the SoberRecovery forum: “You need medical supervision to do this safely.” You can read more about the dangers of quitting alcohol cold turkey and the risks of alcohol detox at home.

At SOBA Recovery, our clinical team starts with a full medical assessment when you arrive. From there, we provide 24/7 medical monitoring and medication management for withdrawal symptoms. We’ve been family-owned and operated since 2007. We’re dually licensed to treat substance use and mental health conditions. We’re also Joint Commission accredited and LegitScript certified, two marks your family can check independently.

If you’re in crisis, call or text 988. You can also reach the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

Detox doesn’t have to be guesswork. Our clinical team plans it around the substance and your health, and our admissions team answers 24/7 to talk it through. Call us at (866) 707-4894.

What happens after detox ends?

Detox clears withdrawal, but it doesn’t treat addiction. That’s why the next level of care is best set up before the last day of detox. A planned handoff means no gap between leaving detox and starting treatment. Our clinical team starts that planning while detox is still underway.

NIDA⁵ calls medically assisted detox only the first stage of treatment. On its own, it’s rarely enough for long-term abstinence. NIDA also says most people need at least 3 months in treatment to significantly reduce or stop drug use.

So when you plan around work and family, plan for more than detox. Our guide to how long rehab lasts covers the full picture. For many people, the next step is residential inpatient treatment.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 3-day detox long enough?

Sometimes not. Alcohol withdrawal² can still be peaking between 24 and 72 hours, so day 3 may be the hardest point. Stimulants and benzodiazepines can take weeks¹. A 3-day plan may fit some people, but our medical team decides when detox is done, based on how your body responds.

Can you speed up detox?

No, there’s no safe shortcut. The FDA³ says no standard benzodiazepine tapering schedule suits every patient, and cutting a dose too fast can cause seizures. Alcohol withdrawal carries a seizure risk too. The safest detox moves at the pace your body sets, with a medical team watching closely.

How painful is drug withdrawal?

How painful withdrawal feels depends on the substance and the person. Alcohol symptoms tend to be worst around days 1 to 3, while heroin withdrawal usually eases within 3 to 5 days. Stimulant and benzodiazepine symptoms can drag on longer. Our medical team manages symptoms throughout, so you’re not facing them alone.

We won’t promise a pain-free detox. We will make it as safe and comfortable as we can.

Ready to plan your detox? Whatever your timeline looks like, you don’t have to work it out alone. Our admissions team answers 24/7 at (866) 707-4894. We’ll talk through your situation and help you plan detox around your life.

Sources

1. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2006). Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 45. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved on November 12, 2026 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64115/
2. MedlinePlus. (2025). Alcohol withdrawal. Retrieved on November 12, 2026 from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000764.htm
3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). FDA requiring Boxed Warning updated to improve safe use of benzodiazepine drug class. Retrieved on November 12, 2026 from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-class
4. MedlinePlus. (2025). Cocaine withdrawal. Retrieved on November 12, 2026 from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000947.htm
5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition). Retrieved on November 12, 2026 from https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/podat-3rdEd-508.pdf