Drugs and alcohol alter brain chemistry, causing changes in mood and feelings. Prolonged use leads to a difficult-to-reverse brain environment. Withdrawal symptoms can persist for months without treatment and supplements.

What is drug withdrawal?

When the brain and body have been regularly exposed to a substance or chemical for a long time, they adjust by creating a new balance. Eventually, the body becomes reliant on the substance and develops a tolerance, needing a higher amount to achieve the same effect.

What happens when you stop using the drug or substance your body is used to? Various symptoms will appear, depending on the substance. These symptoms often include pain, sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and possibly seizures.

The time it takes for withdrawal symptoms to occur depends on how dependent the body is on the substance and how long it stays active in the body.

Other factors also affect the withdrawal timeline, such as genetics, medical conditions, mental health, and the way the substance was taken. For example, someone who only used a small amount of opioids may have a shorter and milder withdrawal period compared to someone who has been using large amounts of opioids for many years.

Withdrawal symptoms can vary, but common substances that may cause them include:

Initial withdrawal begins around 12 hours and typically comes to a peak around 24-48 hours.

Initial withdrawal begins around 8 hours and typically comes to a peak around 12-48 hours.

Initial withdrawal begins around 24-48 hours and with a peak in 2-4 days lasting for several weeks.

The first signs of withdrawal usually start within 1-4 days and reach the highest point in the first two weeks. Detoxification from benzodiazepines can take several weeks or even months.

Initial withdrawal begins about 8 hours after the last drink and with a peak within 24-72 hours and can last for a couple of weeks.