A Guide to Withdrawal, Symptoms, + Timelines
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Bryon McQuirt
December 26, 2024
Drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary in terms of severity and presentation. Alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms can last for days or weeks, depending on the drug and the severity of your addiction. Peachtree Detox in Georgia can help you manage withdrawal symptoms safely.
If you need a drug or alcohol detox program in Georgia, we’re here to help. Contact Peachtree Detox today to get started.
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Withdrawal describes the physical and mental symptoms you have when you cut back or quit using drugs or alcohol.
If you use substances like prescription medications, recreational drugs, or alcohol, you might have withdrawal symptoms when you cut back or quit. Withdrawal symptoms can range from mildly distressing to dangerous. In extreme cases, withdrawal can be deadly.
For this reason, if you abuse drugs or alcohol, it is vital to seek professional detox services when you decide to quit.
Drug and alcohol detox services help you manage withdrawal symptoms safely. Oftentimes, people relapse when they try to quit without professional help because they can’t manage withdrawal. So, professional detox centers reduce the risk of medical complications, psychiatric issues, and relapse.
Withdrawal symptoms occur because as you use drugs or alcohol, you develop a dependency on these substances. It doesn’t matter if the substance is legal or illegal—you can develop a dependency to medications as well as illicit drugs. Furthermore, developing a dependency doesn’t mean you are addicted.
You experience withdrawal symptoms because you are dependent on substances to function normally.
For instance, some psychiatric drugs, like benzodiazepines, can cause a physical dependency—even when used as prescribed. This is because you need the medication to regulate your central nervous system (CNS). Thus, when you stop taking it, you’ll have withdrawal symptoms as your CNS is unable to regulate with benzodiazepine in your system.
On the other hand, recreational drugs can also cause you to develop a dependency. This is especially true if you abuse drugs to self-medicate for physical or mental health symptoms. Alcohol, for example, is a legal substance that many people abuse as an unhealthy way of coping with stress.
Drug withdrawal symptoms last different amounts of time depending on what type of drug you are quitting and the severity of your addiction.
Detox programs help you through the most acute phase of withdrawal, when your symptoms will be at the height of their intensity. Mild symptoms can linger long after detox so it’s critical to get into an aftercare program to continue your recovery. Usually these lingering symptoms are mental and emotional in nature compared to the intense physical discomfort you experience during the acute phases of withdrawal.
The following are withdrawal symptoms and timelines for commonly abused substances:
Opioid withdrawal can last between three days and two weeks, depending on the type of opioid.
Opioid withdrawal symptoms can be intense, painful, and distressing.
As a result, people going through opioid withdrawal are at a high risk of relapsing. This is dangerous because if a person stopped using opioids for a few days, they might take more than usual to “make up” for the lost time—resulting in an overdose or death.
Opioid Withdrawal
Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms last about 5 to 7 days.
Symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal include insomnia, diarrhea, nausea, increased heart rate, bone or muscle pain, hypertension, chills, sweating, and increased body temperature. Psychological symptoms include anxiety, depression, and cravings.
Fentanyl Withdrawal
It takes about 4 to 7 days to overcome acute heroin withdrawal symptoms.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms include rapid heart rate, elevated body temperature, sleep disturbances, sweating, muscle spasms and cramps, bone pain, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea. In addition, psychological symptoms include irritability, anxiety, and depression.
Morphine withdrawal symptoms last about 5 to 7 days.
Symptoms of acute morphine withdrawal include muscle and bone pain, body aches, nausea and vomiting, headaches, sweating, chills, and sleep disturbances. Psychological symptoms include anxiety, depression, and cravings.
Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms last about 5 to 7 days.
Acute symptoms of oxycodone withdrawal include muscle aches, insomnia, sweating, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Psychological symptoms include agitation, anxiety, and depression.
Hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms last about 5 to 8 days.
Symptoms during the acute phase of hydrocodone withdrawal include chills, diarrhea, high blood pressure, muscle and joint pain, stomach ache, fever, and nausea. Psychological symptoms include depression, anxiety, and irritability.
It takes about 10 to 14 days to overcome symptoms of methadone withdrawal.
Although methadone is prescribed as a medication to treat opioid use disorder (OUD), it still carries the risk of dependency and addiction. This is because methadone activates the opioid receptors to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Therefore, if you use methadone to treat addiction, you’ll need to gradually taper off your dosage.
Methadone withdrawal symptoms include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, sleep disturbances, aches and pains, sweating, chills, and nausea. You may also have psychological symptoms such as irritability, depression, and mood swings.
Suboxone withdrawal symptoms last about 14 to 17 days.
Like methadone, suboxone is used to treat opioid addiction. It also activates the opioid receptors to reduce the risk of relapse and overdose during early recovery. Because of this, you might experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using suboxone.
Symptoms of suboxone withdrawal include nausea and vomiting, muscle and body aches, headaches, chills, and fever. The psychological symptoms of withdrawal include depression, anxiety, and irritability.
Symptoms of kratom withdrawal last 6 to 10 days.
Kratom withdrawal is similar to other types of opioids. Symptoms include insomnia, abdominal pain, muscle pain, sweating, tremors, and restlessness. Psychological withdrawal symptoms include depression, anxiety, and irritability.
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It takes about 3 weeks to overcome acute marijuana withdrawal symptoms.
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms include appetite changes, insomnia, headaches, excessive sweating, nausea, and tremors. You may also experience psychological symptoms, such as anger, irritability, and anxiety.
Acute symptoms of alcohol withdrawal last about 3 to 7 days.
Although alcohol is legal and commonly used, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and even deadly. Depending on how much alcohol you consume and how long you’ve been addicted, your symptoms during withdrawal will vary.
Common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include tremors, insomnia, cardiovascular issues, anxiety, depression, fatigue, mood swings, sweating, headache, nausea, and vomiting. However, you might have severe symptoms called delirium tremens, which include seizures, hallucinations, severe confusion, and agitation.
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Xanax withdrawal takes about 1 to 2 weeks.
Xanax, and other benzodiazepines, are prescription drugs for insomnia, anxiety, panic disorders, and seizures. Even if you take Xanax as prescribed, there is a risk of dependency. If you suddenly stop taking Xanax, you might have withdrawal symptoms.
Xanax withdrawal symptoms often include a resurfacing of the symptoms Xanax treats, such as anxiety and restlessness. Additional symptoms include muscle spasms, depression, sensitivity to light and sound, hallucinations, delirium, and risk of seizures.
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms last about 7 to 10 days.
Symptoms of cocaine withdrawal include depression, fatigue, increased appetite, sleep disturbances, and general feelings of discomfort. These symptoms are similar to the “crash” that users feel after the effects of cocaine wear off.
Symptoms of meth withdrawal can last about 7 to 10 days.
Methamphetamine (meth) withdrawal symptoms are similar to cocaine withdrawal. However, since meth is more potent than cocaine, withdrawal symptoms might be more severe than cocaine withdrawal symptoms.
Symptoms of meth withdrawal include sleep problems, extreme fatigue, confusion, psychosis, delirium, mood swings, and agitation. Severe withdrawal can even lead to suicidal thoughts and actions.
Ketamine withdrawal symptoms last about 3 to 7 days.
Withdrawal symptoms of ketamine include anxiety, depression, anxiety, tremors, fatigue, and psychosis. Furthermore, these symptoms can lead to violent outbursts during ketamine withdrawal. Thus, it’s important to find professional support to manage ketamine withdrawal.
Trazodone withdrawal can last anywhere from two weeks to one month.
Trazodone is a psychiatric antidepressant medication. While trazodone addiction is rare, you can develop a dependency. Therefore, if you suddenly stop taking your prescription, you might go into withdrawal.
Timelines for trazodone withdrawal can vary from person to person. Symptoms of trazodone withdrawal include flu-like symptoms, dizziness, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, stiff muscles, and headache. Additionally, psychological symptoms like anxiety, agitation, depression, and confusion may occur during withdrawal.
Like all psychiatric medications, if you want to make changes to your trazodone dosage, talk to your doctor first. They can help you safely taper off the medication to reduce the risk of withdrawal.
It takes about one week to overcome acute symptoms of Benadryl withdrawal.
Methamphetamine (meth) withdrawal symptoms are similar to cocaine withdrawal. However, since meth is more potent than cocaine, withdrawal symptoms might be more severe than cocaine withdrawal symptoms.
Symptoms of meth withdrawal include sleep problems, extreme fatigue, confusion, psychosis, delirium, mood swings, and agitation. Severe withdrawal can even lead to suicidal thoughts and actions.
Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms last about 6 to 8 days.
Vyvanse is a prescription drug for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, due its stimulant effects, vyvanse carries a risk of abuse. As a result, some people become addicted to the drug and need to enter a detox program to treat their withdrawal symptoms.
Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms include depression, fatigue, irritability, body aches, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating. Severe symptoms like psychosis can also occur during vyvanse withdrawal.
Opioid withdrawal can last between three days and two weeks, depending on the type of opioid.
Opioid withdrawal symptoms can be intense, painful, and distressing.
As a result, people going through opioid withdrawal are at a high risk of relapsing. This is dangerous because if a person stopped using opioids for a few days, they might take more than usual to “make up” for the lost time—resulting in an overdose or death.
Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms last about 5 to 7 days.
Symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal include insomnia, diarrhea, nausea, increased heart rate, bone or muscle pain, hypertension, chills, sweating, and increased body temperature. Psychological symptoms include anxiety, depression, and cravings.
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It takes about 4 to 7 days to overcome acute heroin withdrawal symptoms.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms include rapid heart rate, elevated body temperature, sleep disturbances, sweating, muscle spasms and cramps, bone pain, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea. In addition, psychological symptoms include irritability, anxiety, and depression.
Morphine withdrawal symptoms last about 5 to 7 days.
Symptoms of acute morphine withdrawal include muscle and bone pain, body aches, nausea and vomiting, headaches, sweating, chills, and sleep disturbances. Psychological symptoms include anxiety, depression, and cravings.
Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms last about 5 to 7 days.
Acute symptoms of oxycodone withdrawal include muscle aches, insomnia, sweating, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Psychological symptoms include agitation, anxiety, and depression.
Hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms last about 5 to 8 days.
Symptoms during the acute phase of hydrocodone withdrawal include chills, diarrhea, high blood pressure, muscle and joint pain, stomach ache, fever, and nausea. Psychological symptoms include depression, anxiety, and irritability.
It takes about 10 to 14 days to overcome symptoms of methadone withdrawal.
Although methadone is prescribed as a medication to treat opioid use disorder (OUD), it still carries the risk of dependency and addiction. This is because methadone activates the opioid receptors to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Therefore, if you use methadone to treat addiction, you’ll need to gradually taper off your dosage.
Methadone withdrawal symptoms include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, sleep disturbances, aches and pains, sweating, chills, and nausea. You may also have psychological symptoms such as irritability, depression, and mood swings.
Suboxone withdrawal symptoms last about 14 to 17 days.
Like methadone, suboxone is used to treat opioid addiction. It also activates the opioid receptors to reduce the risk of relapse and overdose during early recovery. Because of this, you might experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using suboxone.
Symptoms of suboxone withdrawal include nausea and vomiting, muscle and body aches, headaches, chills, and fever. The psychological symptoms of withdrawal include depression, anxiety, and irritability.
Symptoms of kratom withdrawal last 6 to 10 days.
Kratom withdrawal is similar to other types of opioids. Symptoms include insomnia, abdominal pain, muscle pain, sweating, tremors, and restlessness. Psychological withdrawal symptoms include depression, anxiety, and irritability.
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It takes about 3 weeks to overcome acute marijuana withdrawal symptoms.
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms include appetite changes, insomnia, headaches, excessive sweating, nausea, and tremors. You may also experience psychological symptoms, such as anger, irritability, and anxiety.
Acute symptoms of alcohol withdrawal last about 3 to 7 days.
Although alcohol is legal and commonly used, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and even deadly. Depending on how much alcohol you consume and how long you’ve been addicted, your symptoms during withdrawal will vary.
Common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include tremors, insomnia, cardiovascular issues, anxiety, depression, fatigue, mood swings, sweating, headache, nausea, and vomiting. However, you might have severe symptoms called delirium tremens, which include seizures, hallucinations, severe confusion, and agitation.
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Xanax withdrawal takes about 1 to 2 weeks.
Xanax, and other benzodiazepines, are prescription drugs for insomnia, anxiety, panic disorders, and seizures. Even if you take Xanax as prescribed, there is a risk of dependency. If you suddenly stop taking Xanax, you might have withdrawal symptoms.
Xanax withdrawal symptoms often include a resurfacing of the symptoms Xanax treats, such as anxiety and restlessness. Additional symptoms include muscle spasms, depression, sensitivity to light and sound, hallucinations, delirium, and risk of seizures.
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms last about 7 to 10 days.
Symptoms of cocaine withdrawal include depression, fatigue, increased appetite, sleep disturbances, and general feelings of discomfort. These symptoms are similar to the “crash” that users feel after the effects of cocaine wear off.
Symptoms of meth withdrawal can last about 7 to 10 days.
Methamphetamine (meth) withdrawal symptoms are similar to cocaine withdrawal. However, since meth is more potent than cocaine, withdrawal symptoms might be more severe than cocaine withdrawal symptoms.
Symptoms of meth withdrawal include sleep problems, extreme fatigue, confusion, psychosis, delirium, mood swings, and agitation. Severe withdrawal can even lead to suicidal thoughts and actions.
Trazodone withdrawal can last anywhere from two weeks to one month.
Trazodone is a psychiatric antidepressant medication. While trazodone addiction is rare, you can develop a dependency. Therefore, if you suddenly stop taking your prescription, you might go into withdrawal.
Timelines for trazodone withdrawal can vary from person to person. Symptoms of trazodone withdrawal include flu-like symptoms, dizziness, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, stiff muscles, and headache. Additionally, psychological symptoms like anxiety, agitation, depression, and confusion may occur during withdrawal.
Like all psychiatric medications, if you want to make changes to your trazodone dosage, talk to your doctor first. They can help you safely taper off the medication to reduce the risk of withdrawal.
Ketamine withdrawal symptoms last about 3 to 7 days.
Withdrawal symptoms of ketamine include anxiety, depression, anxiety, tremors, fatigue, and psychosis. Furthermore, these symptoms can lead to violent outbursts during ketamine withdrawal. Thus, it’s important to find professional support to manage ketamine withdrawal.
Trazodone withdrawal can last anywhere from two weeks to one month.
Trazodone is a psychiatric antidepressant medication. While trazodone addiction is rare, you can develop a dependency. Therefore, if you suddenly stop taking your prescription, you might go into withdrawal.
Timelines for trazodone withdrawal can vary from person to person. Symptoms of trazodone withdrawal include flu-like symptoms, dizziness, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, stiff muscles, and headache. Additionally, psychological symptoms like anxiety, agitation, depression, and confusion may occur during withdrawal.
Like all psychiatric medications, if you want to make changes to your trazodone dosage, talk to your doctor first. They can help you safely taper off the medication to reduce the risk of withdrawal.
Ketamine withdrawal symptoms last about 3 to 7 days.
Withdrawal symptoms of ketamine include anxiety, depression, anxiety, tremors, fatigue, and psychosis. Furthermore, these symptoms can lead to violent outbursts during ketamine withdrawal. Thus, it’s important to find professional support to manage ketamine withdrawal.
It takes about one week to overcome acute symptoms of Benadryl withdrawal.
Methamphetamine (meth) withdrawal symptoms are similar to cocaine withdrawal. However, since meth is more potent than cocaine, withdrawal symptoms might be more severe than cocaine withdrawal symptoms.
Symptoms of meth withdrawal include sleep problems, extreme fatigue, confusion, psychosis, delirium, mood swings, and agitation. Severe withdrawal can even lead to suicidal thoughts and actions.
Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms last about 6 to 8 days.
Vyvanse is a prescription drug for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, due its stimulant effects, vyvanse carries a risk of abuse. As a result, some people become addicted to the drug and need to enter a detox program to treat their withdrawal symptoms.
Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms include depression, fatigue, irritability, body aches, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating. Severe symptoms like psychosis can also occur during vyvanse withdrawal.
Drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range in severity from mild discomfort to dangerous. For severe addictions, withdrawal symptoms can even be deadly. If you or a loved one want to quit drugs or alcohol, it’s vital to find a drug and alcohol detox center to manage withdrawal symptoms safely.
Contact Peachtree Detox today to begin our drug and alcohol detox program in Georgia.