What is the Recovery Length for Addiction to Alcohol or Drugs?
Recovery from addiction is a highly individual process that often involves a combination of therapies which yield the best results. The length of time it takes can vary widely depending on the person. Also, the substance they are recovering from, the length of time of the addiction, their health, and the support systems are all elements.
Let’s look at the phases of addiction recovery from the moment the person decides to stop their consumption.
Here are the Stages of Addiction Recovery and Timeline
The First Step is Acute Withdrawal
This is the initial phase of withdrawal that occurs shortly after someone stops using a substance. It can involve intense physical and psychological symptoms caused by the body adjusting to the absence of the substance. The duration and symptom severity depend on the type of substance, how long it was used and overall health.
Acute withdrawal typically lasts some days to a few weeks. In some cases, it requires careful medical supervision—especially for substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines, where withdrawal can be life-threatening.
On average, acute withdrawal can be
- Alcohol: 5–7 days.
- Opioids: 7–10 days.
- Stimulants: Weeks of psychological symptoms like fatigue or cravings.
Stimulants enhance activity in the central nervous system (CNS), increasing alertness, energy, focus, and euphoria. They are commonly used medically to treat conditions like ADHD and narcolepsy but are also frequently abused due to their effects.
Such as drugs like Adderall, Dexedrine, Ritalin, and Concerta in prescribed drugs. Or recreational drugs like Cocaine, Methamphetamine (Meth), MDMA (Ecstasy), and Bath Salts (synthetic cathinones).
The Second Step is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
After the acute phase, some people experience post-acute withdrawal, which includes lingering symptoms like:
- Mood swings, anxiety, or depression.
- Sleep disturbances or fatigue.
- Cravings and difficulty concentrating.
PAWS occurs because the brain and body are continuing to heal and readjust. Depending on the individual and substances like alcohol, opioids and benzodiazepines, it can last for months or even years.
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The Third Step in Addiction Recovery is Early Recovery
Early recovery is the critical phase of addiction recovery that typically spans the first 6–12 months after a person has stopped using substances. It is a period of adjustment as the individual learns to live without the use of drugs or alcohol. A person in this stage should focus on building a strong foundation for long-term sobriety.
Here are some Key Challenges in Early Recovery
1 . Cravings and Triggers: Physical and psychological cravings can persist, especially during stressful situations or exposure to familiar environments or situations. Common triggers include people, places, or emotions associated with substance use.
2. Emotional Volatility: Mood swings, anxiety, and depression are common as the person adjusts to functioning without substances. Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) can contribute to this.
3 . Building New Habits: Establishing routines that promote sobriety can be difficult, especially when old habits are tied to substance use.
4 . Relationship Challenges: Rebuilding trust with family and friends who may have been hurt during active addiction. Also, navigating social situations without substances may require setting boundaries or avoiding certain people.
5 . Risk of Relapse: Early recovery is a vulnerable period when the risk of relapse is high due to emotional struggles, cravings, or overconfidence. It’s also important to remember that relapse is a possibility, but it doesn’t mean failure. If relapse occurs, it should be viewed as a learning experience to strengthen recovery.
The Fourth Step in Addiction Recovery is Sustained Recovery
Sustained recovery is the phase of addiction recovery that occurs after an individual has maintained sobriety for an extended period, typically several years. It focuses on maintaining a healthy, substance-free lifestyle and addressing long-term emotional, social, and psychological well-being.
This stage recognizes that recovery doesn’t have a definitive endpoint. For many, it’s a lifelong process of managing triggers, maintaining mental health, and reinforcing healthy behaviours.
What Factors Influence Recovery Time?
1 . Type of Addiction. Recovery from some substances, like cocaine, may take less time compared to more severe addictions, like alcohol, methamphetamine or benzodiazepines. More on drugs here.
2 . Support System. A strong network of family and non-using friends or support groups like AA/NA can accelerate recovery. AA website NA website
Key Elements of a Support Network
- Emotional Support: People who listen without judgment encourage and help you process emotions.
- Practical Support: Assistance with everyday tasks, like attending therapy or finding resources.
- Accountability: Individuals who help you stay on track with your goals, avoid triggers, and maintain healthy behaviours.
- Relatability: People who understand what you’re going through, often from personal experience, such as peers in recovery groups.
How to Build a Support Network
- Identify Supportive People: Reach out to trusted individuals who encourage your recovery and avoid those who might enable negative behaviours.
- Join Support Groups: Attend meetings regularly to build connections with others in recovery.
- Seek Professional Help: Therapists and counsellors can offer tools to navigate recovery challenges.
- Stay Open and Honest: Be vulnerable with your network about your struggles and progress; transparency fosters deeper connections.
- Set Boundaries: Maintain relationships that uplift you and distance yourself from those that trigger harmful behaviours.
3. Therapy and Counseling Influences Addiction Recovery
Therapy addresses the psychological and emotional aspects of addiction. There are many types of therapies. The most common types are:
a . Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours.
- Teaches coping strategies to manage triggers and cravings. More on this therapy.
b . Motivational Interviewing (MI):
- Helps build internal motivation to make lasting changes.
c . Contingency Management (CM):
- A behavioural therapy where an individual is reinforced or rewarded for evidence of positive behavioural change. More on this therapy.
4 . Treatment Approach. Professional treatment programs, including inpatient rehab, therapy, or medication-assisted treatment (MAT), often lead to faster and more sustained recovery. These programs offer structured support for recovery.
a . Inpatient Rehabilitation:
- Residential programs lasting 28–90 days.
- Provides intensive therapy, medical supervision, and a substance-free environment.
b . Outpatient Rehabilitation:
- Allows individuals to continue living at home while attending therapy several times weekly.
- Ideal for those with mild addiction or strong external support.
5 . Personal Motivation and Resilience. A person’s commitment to change and resilience in facing setbacks significantly impact the timeline.
6 . Holistic and Alternative Therapies
These therapies incorporate mind-body approaches that can complement traditional treatment:
- Yoga and meditation for stress reduction.
- Art or music therapy to process emotions.
- Exercise to improve mental and physical health
Addiction Recovery is A Lifelong Process
Even after years of sobriety, many individuals identify as being in recovery rather than “recovered,” reflecting the ongoing nature of managing addiction. As mentioned above, relapse is also a common part of addiction recovery and doesn’t mean failure—rather, it can be an opportunity to adjust and strengthen coping mechanisms.
Visit the links if you wish to have more information on specific recovery methods. We can assist you if you need help finding an addiction treatment in Canada!
Carole Pelland
Substance Abuse
Digital Marketing Administrator
& Author
