How long does withdrawal last? +
Duration depends on the substance. Alcohol withdrawal mostly resolves in 5–7 days (acute phase). Opioid withdrawal resolves in 5–10 days. Nicotine cravings persist 2–4 weeks. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be protracted for weeks. Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) can persist for months across many substances.
Can withdrawal kill you? +
Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal are the two withdrawal syndromes with direct fatal risk in otherwise healthy adults — they can cause seizures, delirium tremens, and cardiovascular collapse. Opioid withdrawal is rarely directly fatal, but the post-detox period carries high overdose risk due to lost tolerance. All other substance withdrawals are uncomfortable but not directly life-threatening.
What is PAWS? +
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) is a prolonged second phase of withdrawal featuring mood instability, sleep disruption, brain fog, fatigue, and cravings. It's most common in alcohol and opioid recovery, and can persist weeks to months after acute withdrawal ends. PAWS is the primary cause of relapse in the 3–12 month window after quitting.
Is it safe to quit cold turkey? +
For alcohol and benzodiazepines: no — cold turkey can be fatal. These require medical supervision, typically involving benzodiazepine tapering or other medications. For opioids: cold turkey is not fatal but intensely uncomfortable; medications like buprenorphine or methadone dramatically improve outcomes. For most other substances, cold turkey is generally safe, though tapering can reduce discomfort.
What helps with withdrawal symptoms? +
Substance-specific medications are most effective: buprenorphine/methadone for opioids (reduces mortality by 50–70%), NRT or varenicline for nicotine, benzodiazepines for alcohol/benzo withdrawal, naltrexone for alcohol relapse prevention. Beyond medications: adequate hydration, electrolyte replacement, sleep support, staying busy, social support, and a sobriety tracking app all reduce relapse risk significantly.