How Long Does It Take to Break an Addiction?

Breaking an addiction is a highly individualized process. So, how long does it take to break an addiction? It mainly depends on the substance you are addicted to and one’s personal experience. Most people with addiction need should take at least 3 months of treatment, according to NIDA.

Unlike old research, addiction is not something that can be overcome within a few days. Overcoming substance abuse within a few days of abstinence is not a common phenomenon, and only a fraction of people may benefit from this approach. Usually, it may take months or years to break it. Rehab centers, like ChoicePoint, offering personalized treatments can help you overcome addiction. 

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What to Know About Addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease. At the same time, most people believe that it is only a matter of physically depending on the drug and ignore the early stages of addiction. However, quitting addiction is even more of an issue due to some scientific reasons:

• Over time, drugs alter the proper functioning of the brain’s reward system. Surging dopamine in the brain desensitizes the brain to the drug’s effects. 
• Since drugs produce euphoria and activate dopamine levels to extremely high levels, it is difficult to derive pleasure from the things that were once enjoyable, e.g., hobbies, sex, meals, etc.
• These issues happen because the brain working is changed over time when it comes to addiction. Trying to quit in a few days or months usually results in relapse. 
• Relapse is not rather common with most drugs. Most specialists urge patients to take it as one phase of recovery rather than failure. 
• It is also crucial to understand that some people are more prone to addiction than others. This may be due to genetic disposition or environmental factors. 

Depending on those mentioned above, how long does it take to break an addiction?

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Please note this assessment is an initial self-screening, and it is not meant to be a medical assessment or clinical diagnosis of addiction. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint.

How Long Does It Take to Break an Addiction?

As much as we crave an absolute answer, there isn’t one. Recovery from addiction is a life-long process with many obstacles. Those who can overcome addiction do so by COMPLETELY steering away from drugs. Only one more dose can make them relapse. Certain factors determine how long addiction recovery may last:

• The time it may take for the body to heal
• The substance being taken
• Reversal of the brain’s functionality to normal
• Individual factors

Treatment Length According to Substances

Once someone has developed an addiction, it means that they will always be susceptible to relapse. Therefore, depending on the substance, treatments should be taken for a particular period.

NOTE: The length of treatment should be personalized for every patient. This is a rough outline for the recommended time. 

NIDA explicitly says that any sort of “addiction” needs at least 30 days of treatment with ongoing support for it to be completely gone. So, when it comes to sedatives, benzodiazepines, and other such prescription medications, undergoing rehab for a month is essential. 

The Time Required for the Body to Heal

Different substances cause harm to the body differently. To let your body recover from the misuse of drugs, the first step is detox. Medically supervised detox may take a few days to a few weeks, depending on the substance. However, it is important to remember that:

• Detox does not mean that withdrawal or cravings will stop
• Recovery extends far beyond detox
• While detox is crucial, it only sets the body on the right track

The best way to heal your body is by abstaining from drug use. To prevent relapse while abstaining is via medical interventions like:

• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program
• Behavioral Therapies
• Counseling
• Aftercare
• Support Groups

Treatments for different substances need to be taken for a certain time. 

Allowing the Brain to Recover

A study conducted via neuroimaging showed that a 14-month-long abstinence from meth showed significant recovery of the reward center functioning. While the timeline may not apply to everyone, the brain has great potential to replenish itself. This means that even though addiction cannot be cured, abstinence and appropriate treatment can result in brain recovery. 

Individual Factors

There are many individual factors affecting the process of recovery as well. Referring to the above-mentioned research, it is important to understand that only a month-long meth dependence was overcome in more than a year. By that rationale, if someone has been struggling with addiction for years, their brain may take longer. Nothing can be said definitively. 

Individual factors include:

• The substance in question
• Frequency of drug use
• Longevity of drug use
• Environmental factors

All addiction specialists treat addiction as a long-term issue and thereby urge patients to work on the principle of abstinence. 

Our Peer Recovery Support Specialist, Aribah Graves, says, “From what we have observed time and again, those who are successful in completing rehab assume that their addiction has been cured. The unfortunate truth is that addiction is incurable. It is likely to come back without persistent and strong abstinence. There are cases where people have relapsed after 3 years of abstinence. I always tell those seeking help to treat it like any other chronic disease and never associate any stigma with it.”

Signs of Drug Addiction

The Relation of Relapse and Recovery

Relapse is a common phase of recovery. Many see it as a failed treatment, which is false. Relapse is not only common with addiction; both hypertension and asthma have a relapse rate of  50%-70%.

Just like the destabilization of blood pressure after a long period of stability needs medical attention, relapse also needs medical help. It usually means:

• Something triggering has happened; therefore, the patient must talk to a professional.
• Treatment should be modified or changed.

Almost 50% of people with addiction suffer from a mental health condition. Usually, relapse can result due to mental health issues. To address it, undergoing dual diagnosis treatment is vital. Staying in touch with your counselor is best in these situations. Gillian McKeith shared top Nutrition Tips to boost your addiction recovery journey; give it a read and make your recovery process easy. Aftercare programs are also available to prevent relapse. Contact 844.445.2565 for appropriate treatment or fill out this form. 

5 Stages of Addiction Recovery

Recovery is not a Usually, recovery is categorized into 5 stages. They are as follows:

Precontemplation Stage

This is the first stage in which a person does not accept that they have a problem. It is characterized by denial in which, upon confrontation, the person in question will reject that substance use affects their life. 

Contemplation Stage

Contemplation is the stage in which those with addiction are moved to accepting that they have an issue. This is a vital part because most people with addiction think that they are probably in control of their drug use. Therefore, it needs to change so that recovery can be initiated. 

Preparation

 Recovery’s important part is when the affected person changes their behaviors. This may be by talking to a loved one or just reaching out for help in general. 

Action

 Committing to rehab is the fourth stage of addiction recovery. At this stage, patients will stop using substances and move to a healthier lifestyle. 

Maintenance of Treatment

 After completing rehab, the last stage entails maintaining sobriety. It may take months or years to get rid of addiction finally, but with constant support, doing so becomes easy. 

Follow your favorite movie directors’ suggestions for 13 movies to watch during addiction recovery. 

Harboring Addiction Recovery with Different Treatments

Breaking an addiction may be difficult, but it is possible, and many people are successful in achieving sobriety. There are many options ranging from detox to aftercare. Some insurance-covered programs that are available to the residents of NJ are:

• Medically Supervised Detox
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
• Therapeutic Interventions
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment
• Aftercare Program

All the treatments are available as a whole package, and they are also available individually in the following levels of care:

• Inpatient Care
• Alcohol and Drug Detox
• Partial Care (Partial Hospitalization Programs)
• Outpatient Care
• Intensive Outpatient Care
• Virtual Addiction Treatment (Detox is not conducted virtually)

Call 844.445.2565 to talk to addiction specialists further. You may also enter your information here to schedule an appointment.

Common Queries Regarding “How Long Does It Take to Break an Addiction”

After years of research, human beings are only beginning to understand the nuances of addiction. Some queries and misconceptions will be busted below. 

How Does Addiction Affect the Brain?

Addiction takes control of the brain and rewires how it works. While different substances work differently in the brain, most affect the brain’s reward system. It makes changes to the brain that make a person use substances compulsively. 

Is Addiction Genetic?

To an extent, some people may be genetically predisposed to addiction. However, in no way does it mean that everyone who had parents with SUDs will also get addicted. Environmental factors also matter. 

Is Addiction a Mental Health Disorder?

Yes, substance use disorders are considered a mental health disease. It is treatable with many interventions present. 

What Is the Difference Between Physical Dependence and Addiction?

Physical dependence means developing tolerance to the drug, while addiction means changes in the brain pathways. While long-term physical dependence on substances may lead to addiction, the two are still different. 

Sources

1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition). https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/podat-3rdEd-508.pdf
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, June 6). Understanding Drug Use and Addiction Drug Facts. National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institute of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction
3. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, June 6). Understanding Drug Use and Addiction Drug Facts. National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institute of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction
4. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition). https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/podat-3rdEd-508.pdf
5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, July). Treatment and Recovery. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery