Last Edited: July 18, 2025

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Patricia Howard, LMFT, CADC

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Clinically Reviewed

Mark Frey, LPCC, LICDC, NCC

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All of the information on this page has been reviewed and certified by an addiction professional.

An Addict’s Guide to Withdrawals: Symptoms, Timelines & How to Get Help

“The road to recovery will not always be easy, but it will always be worth it.” – Anonymous

If you’re reading this, it means you or someone you love is facing the storm of withdrawal—and let me tell you, I’ve been there. This is an addict’s guide to withdrawals, written from the heart, not a textbook. You’ll find the real deal here—withdrawal symptoms and detox timelines, how it all feels, what to expect, and most importantly, how to get through it alive and whole.

Here’s the cold truth: withdrawal can be brutal. It can feel like your body and mind are turning against you. But the good news? You don’t have to go through it alone—and you can make it to the other side.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over 46 million Americans met the criteria for a substance use disorder in 2021. And every single one of them would need to go through withdrawal at some point if they want recovery. But not everyone survives it. In fact, unsupervised withdrawal from drugs like alcohol and benzodiazepines can be fatal.

Let’s dive in, one honest step at a time.

What Is Withdrawal?

Withdrawal happens when you stop using a substance your body has become dependent on—alcohol, opioids, benzos, meth, whatever it may be. Your body is used to functioning with it, and when that chemical goes missing, everything starts to freak out.

You might shake, sweat, vomit, hallucinate, cry, or just curl up in a ball and feel like you’re dying. I’ve been there. You might wonder, “Is it worth it?”

Yes. Yes, it is.

The 3 Phases of Withdrawal

Understanding the process helps take away some of the fear. Withdrawal happens in three phases, no matter the substance.

1. Acute Withdrawal (First 3–10 Days)

This is the worst part. It’s when your body is reacting most violently to the absence of the drug. You’ll feel sick, anxious, maybe even suicidal. Symptoms might include:

• Sweating and chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Insomnia
• Muscle cramps
• Seizures (especially with alcohol and benzos)

2. Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)

These symptoms last longer but are less physical and more emotional. They can come and go for weeks or months after detox:

• Mood swings
• Depression
• Cravings
• Irritability
• Foggy thinking

3. Stabilization and Recovery

Eventually, your brain and body adjust to life without drugs. You begin to feel things again—joy, sadness, clarity. This phase can last months or years, but this is where real healing begins.

Withdrawal Symptoms and Detox Timelines

Let’s break it down: how long withdrawal lasts and what it feels like depends on the drug. Here’s a helpful chart you can refer to (also shown above):

⬇️ See the Table: “Withdrawal Timelines by Substance”

Every substance has its own timeline. For example:

• Alcohol: Symptoms can begin in 6–12 hours, peak at 24–72 hours, and fade by 7 days. But delirium tremens (DTs) can be deadly.
• Heroin and opioids: Flu-like symptoms start around 8–24 hours after last use. While rarely deadly, it’s one of the most painful detoxes emotionally and physically.
• Benzos: Withdrawal can start days after stopping and last for weeks. This one requires medical detox—don’t go cold turkey.
• Meth and cocaine: Withdrawal is more mental—crushing depression, fatigue, and intense cravings.

Why Medical Detox Matters

Look, I tried detoxing on my own—twice. It was hell. I ended up back on the streets, using more than ever. It wasn’t until I went to medical detox that things really changed.

Here’s why detoxing under medical care is a game-changer:

• It’s safer: Doctors can monitor your vitals and give meds to manage symptoms.
• You won’t die from seizures or DTs: Especially important for alcohol and benzo withdrawal.
• You get support: Nurses, doctors, and people who understand what you’re going through.
• You start recovery immediately: Most detox centers help you move into inpatient or outpatient treatment right after.

Medical detox isn’t giving up control—it’s choosing to stay alive long enough to recover.

Common Withdrawal Symptoms (By Substance)

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you might feel during detox, depending on your drug of choice:

You’re Not Weak—You’re Addicted

Let me be clear: withdrawal is not a moral failure. If you’re shaking, sweating, and crying through detox, it doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re human—and you’re going through something that could kill most people.

The fact that you’re reading this, still trying, still showing up? That’s strength.

Hope Is Real: What Comes After Withdrawal?

Getting through withdrawal is just the beginning. After detox, you have choices—and support.

✅ Inpatient Rehab

Live-in treatment centers that provide 24/7 care, counseling, group therapy, and relapse prevention strategies.

✅ Outpatient Rehab

Flexible programs that let you live at home but attend treatment during the day.

✅ Peer Support & Therapy

Groups like NA, AA, or SMART Recovery help you build community. Therapy helps you understand the “why” behind your addiction.

You Can Survive This

This addict’s guide to withdrawals is more than a set of facts—it’s a message from one survivor to another.

You’re going to feel like giving up. Don’t.

You’re going to think you can’t make it. You can.

You’re going to think you’re alone. You’re not.

Withdrawal is the price of freedom. But recovery? That’s the reward.