There is no one-size-fits-all timeline for addiction recovery. Traditionally, detoxification from a particular substance takes about one week, but how long it takes to break an addiction varies from person to person. Additionally, the length of time may vary depending on the specific substance. While it may take 21 days to break a habit, breaking an addiction to a substance can take up to 90 days or more.
What Is an Addiction?
Addiction is characterized as a persistent urge to use a particular substance. Despite the complications that may arise from substance use, the desire to engage persists.
What Affects Recovery Length?
Recovery length can vary based on a number of factors. These factors can include addiction type, addiction severity, and more.
Addiction Type
The type of addiction that a person deals with will affect the timeline of recovery. Each substance affects a person’s physical and mental health differently. Similarly, the amount of time that a person has used a substance will affect recovery length. Sometimes, the longer that a person has been using a substance, the longer it takes to break the addiction, but this is not always the case.
Individual Factors
Individual factors play a role in every recovery journey and can have an impact on how long it takes to break an addiction. A recovery specialist will want to know how long you have used your substance, as well as any other mental or physical health challenges you struggle with. The existence of a strong support system can also go a long way toward helping you break an addiction.
Addiction Severity
Addiction severity plays a role in the time it takes to break an addiction. For example, two people who are dealing with alcohol addiction may differ in the level at which the addiction affects their daily life. One person may use alcohol from the start of the day until the end of the day, while another person may wait until after work. Severity is also connected to the length of time that an individual has used the substance. For some, the addiction severity may have progressed through years of continuous use.
How Long to Break Different Kinds of Addiction?
As mentioned previously, the timeline for recovery varies based on the individual. Furthermore, different kinds of addiction can take longer to break.
Nicotine Addiction
Detoxification from nicotine often takes 3-4 days. During this time, nicotine leaves the body. However, cravings and the desire to use nicotine again may continue for a couple weeks. Some of the negative symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include irritability and anxiety. After the more acute physical symptoms begin to calm down, it usually takes about 1 month in order to break a nicotine addiction.
Alcohol Addiction
Detoxification from alcohol usually lasts for 1 week. For most people, 2 weeks is when physical side effects of withdrawal begin to subside. The timeline for breaking an addiction to alcohol may last around one month, but is dependent on a variety of factors.
Substance Addiction
Substance addiction includes addiction to one or many different drugs, including benzodiazepines, cocaine, ketamine, marijuana, meth, and more. Since substance addiction encompasses a range of substances, the timeline to break an addiction is dependent on the substance and the level of physical/psychological dependence that one may experience.
Drug Addiction
Opioid addiction, like other substances, presents physical withdrawal symptoms when first discontinuing use. These symptoms begin 8-24 hours following an individual’s use of opioids, and these withdrawal symptoms likely will continue for 4-10 days. As these symptoms may be intense both physically and psychologically, it is important that you have adequate support.
What Are Challenges to Breaking an Addiction?
Some of the challenges to breaking an addiction happen within the first 24-36 hours of discontinuing use, otherwise known as withdrawal symptoms. Due to the physical and emotional discomfort that you may feel at the beginning, it can be challenging to not resume use, particularly since substance use is used by many to reduce unpleasant feelings like anxiety or shame.
Additionally, the cycle of addiction is hard to disrupt. While many are able to move through the withdrawal stage, others may get stuck binging on a substance or craving the substance all over again. Using the substance again kickstarts the withdrawal symptoms and the cycle of addiction. Without ample support, it can feel overwhelming to start the process of breaking an addiction. Also, many individuals find that their social networks are built around substance use and that navigating the road to recovery alone feels like an insurmountable challenge.
How Do You Maintain Sobriety After Breaking Addiction?
Sobriety is the goal for many people who desire long-term recovery. But there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving sobriety. The goal is to manage urges and find coping schools through a personalized approach. It is important to identify and discover what systems best support you as an individual.
Treatment Programs
Rehab programs must be customized to fit your needs. For many, this may involve support through the withdrawal process and participating in ongoing support groups, including 12-Step programs. For some, addressing health problems may be necessary. For example, physical issues like pain or mental health challenges like depression may need to be addressed alongside receiving treatment for substance abuse.
Coping Mechanisms & Long-Term Resilience
It is crucial to identify coping mechanisms so that you can build long-term resilience. This may include attending support groups with those who are also on the road to recovery. Having a support network of family members and friends is also helpful for many.
Aftercare & Continuing Support
After you go through the initial stages of breaking an addiction (i.e. withdrawal), the road to recovery is not over. In order to build long-term habits, many people have to continue building new habits or strengthening the habits they developed early on in recovery. A supportive network eases the negative emotions that may accompany addiction. You are worthy of having a team of individuals that honors your decision to break your addiction.
How IHAT Supports Long-Term Recovery
In-Home Addiction Treatment (IHAT) offered by Aware Recovery Care is a personalized approach to addiction recovery that allows you to stay in the comfort of your own home as you embark on the road to recovery. You don’t have to put your life on hold when you use IHAT.
At-home treatment is an excellent option for those who are new to addiction recovery or for those who have not found success in traditional inpatient/outpatient settings. Our completion rate is 2.5 times that of traditional rehab. We provide convenience, privacy, and flexibility by providing treatment at home. IHAT is here to help you every step of the way as you rebuild a new life.
Take the Next Step in Recovery
We would love to work with you to develop and customize a plan for your addiction recovery. We have treated over 10,000 individuals, with a 78% success rate. Visit our homepage to learn more–or set up some time to talk to a recovery specialist about IHAT.
