How long does alcohol withdrawal last?

Symptoms typically begin 6 to 24 hours after the last drink and are hardest around 24 to 72 hours. Alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures and delirium tremens and should be managed under medical supervision.

Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause seizures and can be fatal, so neither should be attempted alone. Opioid withdrawal is rarely life-threatening but is severe enough that most home attempts end within a day.

How long does opioid withdrawal last?

It often begins within 8 to 24 hours of the last dose, sooner with fentanyl, and is worst during the first one to three days. Medication in a supervised detox substantially reduces the severity.

What withdrawal is actually like

Withdrawal Timelines: What to Expect

Most people who put off calling are not putting off treatment. They are putting off withdrawal. Here is what it actually involves, roughly how long each part lasts, and which substances genuinely should not be stopped without medical supervision.

Please do not use this to detox alone

Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause seizures and can be fatal. This page is here so you know what to expect from a supervised detox, not so you can attempt one at home. If you are already withdrawing, call us or go to an emergency room.

Talk to someone now See our detox program

The central nurse station at Buena Vista

Someone monitoring you the whole way through.

By substance

Roughly what to expect, and how risky it is

These are general ranges rather than promises. How long you have been using, how much, and your own health all move them.

Alcohol

Medically supervised

Onset: Starts 6–24 hours after the last drink
Peak: Hardest around 24–72 hours

The one people most underestimate. Seizures and delirium tremens are real risks in heavy, long-term drinking, and both are medical emergencies. This is why alcohol detox with us commonly runs the full week rather than a few days.

Benzodiazepines

Medically supervised

Onset: Starts within 1–4 days depending on the drug
Peak: Can persist for weeks, tapering down

Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan and similar. Like alcohol, stopping abruptly can cause seizures. These are tapered under medical supervision rather than stopped, and doing that alone is genuinely dangerous.

Opioids & fentanyl

Supervised strongly advised

Onset: Often within 8–24 hours; sooner with fentanyl
Peak: Worst in the first 1–3 days

Rarely life-threatening on its own, but severe enough that most attempts to stop at home end within a day. Medication makes the difference between an ordeal and a manageable few days.

Stimulants

Supported, not detoxed

Onset: Begins within a day of stopping
Peak: Heaviest in the first week

Meth and cocaine do not produce the dangerous physical withdrawal alcohol does, so there is usually no separate detox stage. What they do produce is exhaustion and a deep flatness — which is why treatment starts with sleep and support instead.

Using more than one thing changes all of it. Most people do, and the combination is what your assessment is actually working out. Tell us everything on the call, including the things that feel embarrassing — it decides what medical support is ready when you arrive.

Reviews

Real stories. Real recovery.

★★★★★

Jennifer M.

★★★★★on Google

"Buena Vista was great for me. Comfortable, good groups, great staff. If I need to return I know they are there. And I'd recommend this place to anyone in need of recovery from addiction. Lolo at the front is always warm and welcoming, the nurses are caring and always there to help! Can't forget the BHTs always asking what they can do to help in whatever way they can."

Travis S.

★★★★★on Google

"I cannot express enough gratitude for the support I received from Buena Vista Recovery. Katy went above and beyond in helping me navigate my court case and making pre-trial calls, ensuring I felt supported and informed every step of the way. Her dedication was truly remarkable. Mr Bacon and the entire staff played a pivotal role in changing my life for the better. Their compassion, understanding, and commitment to my recovery made all the difference. I highly recommend Buena Vista Recovery to anyone seeking help and transformation. Thank you all for everything!"

Sonia F.

★★★★★on Google

"So incredibly grateful for everyone that has been there for me throughout my recovery journey. I really miss residential lol. Not only were the staff there absolutely phenomenal and amazingly informed, but most really enjoyed what they were doing. The kitchen and food was five star most days. On top of all that, I got to have my own room and bathroom, queen size bed, vaulted ceilings, and flat screen tv. But, I am extremely grateful for the monthly Alumni events that we have. It's one of the highlights of my month every single time. Thank you Buena Vista. If I could give more stars, I so would."

Lisa T.

★★★★★on Google

"I had an amazing experience at Buena Vista… The staff is great… The food is good… Lolo, Lorenzo, Millie, Eva, Bianca and Miss Katherine are awesome facilitators… I'm really going to miss them… I'm continuing with their after care IOP classes with Millie virtually which is perfect for me… Justin runs a great program and Chris runs a great group of staff… thank you all of you for being an active part of my recovery. I couldn't have done this without you guys. Love all of you!!! Lolo, you're a wonderful person that cares about all the patients there and it really shows… you welcome us all and make us comfortable and your classes are great! Love you Queen!"

Tommy C.

★★★★★on Google

"I'm so grateful for this place 💯!!! I learned so much about myself and got some great tools and the help I need. I'm out of inpatient but I'm still going there for services. I have all the love for the faculty and that place in general. They are amazing. Anyone that has anything bad to say about Buena Vista was either there for the wrong reasons or weren't ready. Thank you guys all the way around"

Sean B.

★★★★★on Google

"I just want to say thank you to Buena Vista and the staff that work there. These people care. I can personally tell the difference between someone who just comes in for a paycheck and someone who has unconditional love and concern for every individual that they work with. From detox to out patient the staff go above and beyond to get their patients needs met! A special thanks to my case manager Katy for believing in me when I didn't even believe in myself. She met with me every day she worked and set me up for success! I'm on the next chapter of my life not only clean but finally happy. Thank you Katy!! And thank you Buena Vista. I recommend anybody needing help to at least check in for detox. Much love to you all"

Reviews are published from Google with written consent and lightly condensed for length; wording is unchanged. These are individual experiences and are not a guarantee of any particular outcome. Reviewers were not compensated.

Coverage

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Straight answers

Questions about withdrawal

Will it hurt as much as I think?+

Usually less than the version in your head, and the reason is medication. A supervised detox is not the same experience as stopping at home — comfort medications are prescribed and adjusted as your symptoms move, and someone is checking on you the whole way through.

Can I detox at home?+

For alcohol and benzodiazepines this is genuinely risky — seizures and delirium tremens can be fatal, and neither gives much warning. For opioids it is rarely dangerous but it is severe enough that most attempts end within a day. If you are set on trying, please at least call first so someone can tell you what to watch for.

How long will I feel rough?+

The physically hardest stretch is usually the first two to three days, and most people are noticeably steadier by the end of the first week. Sleep and energy take longer to settle — often a few weeks — which is one of the reasons residential treatment follows detox rather than ending at it.

I already feel it starting. What do I do?+

Call now rather than waiting to see how bad it gets. If you are already having tremors, or you have had seizures or DTs in the past, that is a reason to be seen today — by us or by an emergency room.

Will I be given medication?+

Yes. Comfort medications are a standard part of a medical detox, prescribed under physician oversight. The aim is to keep you as comfortable as the situation allows, not to test how much you can stand.

What if I have had a bad detox before?+

Tell us about it in detail on the call — what happened, where, and what was or was not given. A difficult previous detox is useful clinical information, and it changes how your care is planned rather than counting against you.

Does it get easier each time?+

Not reliably, and with alcohol it can get harder — repeated withdrawals can make later ones more severe. That is a reason to do it properly this time rather than a reason to feel bad about the previous ones.

What happens after the physical part is over?+

That is where residential treatment starts, in the same building with the same team. Detox settles the body; what follows is the part that makes it hold.

Withdrawal Timelines: What to Expect

Roughly what to expect, and how risky it is

Alcohol

Benzodiazepines

Opioids & fentanyl

Stimulants

Real stories. Real recovery.

Will your insurance cover treatment at Buena Vista?

Check your coverage now

Questions about withdrawal

Start with one call. We'll take it from there.