Every individual is different and will have a distinct physiological response to habitually abusing drugs.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the detox process is entirely unique for everyone. There are certain contributing factors that play a role regarding the duration an individual is likely to experience the detox process, from start to finish. The length of time one’s detox will take will vary and according to Addiction Center, depend on the following factors:
- Type of substance abused
- Potency of abused substance
- Frequency of substance abuse
- Personal health history
- Age of the individual
- Presence of any co morbid disorders
- Method of use (e.g., smoked, snorted, injected, etc.)
Each of the above factors will weigh into the potential length of time it will take for an individual to go through and successfully complete the detox phase of his or her recovery. There is no universal timeframe that yields successful results for every person in treatment. Rather, the recommended duration of one’s detox program is determined on a case-by-case basis and should be a decision that is arrived upon with the help of one’s clinical team.
The type of substance abused plays a large role in the duration of one’s detox experience. Every substance has a different half-life. The half-life is the length of time it takes to reduce the concentration of the substance to 50% in one’s system. This helps to give an indication for the duration of time it will take for the substance to fully metabolize and pass through one’s system. Therefore, an abused substance with a relatively short half-life will likely lead to a shorter detox period. Each abused substance is associated with a somewhat different detox timeline, in addition to varied withdrawal symptoms. Individuals that abuse more than one substance may encounter more severe withdrawal symptoms and/ or experience a longer detox process. Taking into consideration the contributing factors, for some individuals detox can last as short as two days long, while for others it may take as long as several months to complete. There is no set timeframe that encompasses every detox situation, and it would be impossible to for an individual to presume the precise length of time it may take to conclude his or her detox process prior to its commencement.
For Information and Support
Contemplating detox can be a very challenging time. Before any individual can begin to work on the underlying issues contributing to their substance abuse problem, they must be separated from the substances in their systems. If you are concerned for yourself or a loved one regarding substance abuse, and/ or addiction we recommend reaching out for help as soon as possible. The earlier you seek support, the sooner you and your loved ones can return to leading happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. Sherwood Detox offers a stand-alone detox program. For additional information on detox, please do not hesitate to contact us at: 818-626-9959 or feel free to email us anytime. One of our trusted counselors is available to talk and discuss how we can best support you on your journey.
