You might have heard that it takes 21 days to make or break a habit. This myth originated back in the 1960s, when a plastic surgeon found that it took his patients at least 21 days to adjust to their new look. Over time, this observation evolved into a wider belief that any physical habit (such as eating junk food or drinking alcohol) takes just three weeks to break. But this simply isn’t true—especially when it comes to substance abuse and addiction.
Substance addiction, formally known as a substance use disorder, is a chronic disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior. It disrupts one’s ability to function and carry out self-control, due to long-lasting changes in their brain chemistry. The good news? Substance addiction is manageable and treatable. However, it can take a long time to break its cycle.
If you’re wondering, “How long does it take to break an addiction?”, you are not alone. Hundreds of people ask this question every day, hoping to move past the troubles triggered by drugs and alcohol. There’s an inherent need for speed when it comes to addiction treatment. You want to recover from painful withdrawal symptoms, repair broken relationships, and begin a more meaningful life—fast.
Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. Breaking the cycle of addiction takes time, patience, and an ongoing commitment. But rest assured it’s entirely possible. Let’s explore how long it can take to break an addiction and what you can do to make the most of the process.
How Long Does It Take to Detox from Drugs and Alcohol?
When one begins their recovery journey, detoxification is often the first step. Drug detox is a medically supervised intervention that helps clear the body of addictive substances, particularly after long-term and repetitive use. This detox process helps to minimize the physical harm that can happen during withdrawal, when the body is still dependent on drugs.
The time it takes to detox from drugs will vary by individual, depending on the severity of their addiction, how long they’ve been using, and their drug(s) of choice. Generally, though, detox can be achieved in two weeks or less, when done in a clinical setting. Long-acting opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants often require a longer detox (10 to 14 days) than detox from alcohol, which can take one week.
Of course, everyone is different. Individuals who have been using for a long time, using in high dosages, or using multiple drugs may require longer stretches of detoxification. Additionally, some people suffer from extended withdrawal symptoms (called post-acute withdrawal symptoms, or PAWS) which can lengthen the required detox time. Inpatient and outpatient detox settings can also vary in timelines, so it’s important to ask the detoxification center about what you should expect.
And remember, detoxification is just the first step of treatment. While getting sober can happen relatively quickly, long-term treatment is recommended to truly break free from addiction and build the skills to live a fulfilling, drug-free life.
Recommended Length of Time in Addiction Treatment
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends at least 90 days in treatment to break an addiction. However, longer stretches of treatment can result in longer stretches of abstinence from drugs and alcohol, and reduced chances of relapse. The NIDA writes:
“Research tells us that most addicted people need at least three months in treatment to really reduce or stop their drug use and that longer treatment times result in better outcomes. The best programs will measure progress and suggest plans for maintaining recovery.”
Learn more about how long treatment takes here.
At Turnbridge, we’ve seen similar results. When evaluating treatment outcomes, we found that 95 percent of clients stayed in treatment for at least nine months (or 270 days) were able to sustain sobriety one year after graduation. Even more, these individuals experienced profound behavioral changes, like:
- More likely to be employed
- More able to cope with stress
- More self-sufficient
- In better physical health
- More stable, healthy relationships
Why is this the case? Because long-term treatment programs are designed to help individuals overcome the root of their addiction and develop skills that will ensure they are successful after treatment. Not only do clients receive therapy in treatment, but they also learn how to:
- Manage residual cravings for drugs and alcohol
- Cope with difficult situations and triggers
- Establish healthy habits that contribute to overall well-being
- Carry out a productive and gratifying life, free of drugs and alcohol
- Maintain important relationships and step away from negative ones
- Take care of one’s emotional and mental health
This approach helps make sober living a reality for many by teaching skills that can be used long after treatment is complete.
How Long Does It Take to Break an Addiction Fully?
As suggested above, substance addiction is a chronic and relapsing disease. It re-wires and disrupts the brain’s function, making it difficult to control impulses, make rational decisions, and retain information. The longer a person uses drugs, the more likely they are to experience the cognitive effects.
The good news is that these changes can be reversed and/or actively managed. However, the treatment and recovery process requires sufficient time and depth.
Substance addiction—plus the bad habits, thought patterns, and withdrawal symptoms—can generally be “broken” with detoxification and long-term treatment. However, recovery is a lifelong process. As you grow and encounter new experiences, it’s possible that cravings will arise, or stressors and mental health issues will re-surface. This is due to those chronic, neurological effects we previously talked about.
As such, substance addiction must be continuously monitored and tended to, even after your treatment program is complete and the initial cycle is broken. The NIDA reiterates this, stating, “Recovery from drug addiction is a long-term process that often requires several episodes of treatment and ongoing support from family or community.”
To put it simply, completing treatment is not the end of the journey, it’s the beginning of a new phase of maintenance and growth that you’ll carry throughout your life. Aftercare programs, ongoing therapy, family, and peer support groups can play a key role in helping you stay accountable, manage triggers, sustain healthy routines, and prevent relapse after treatment is complete.
Breaking an Addiction: The Timeline is Up to You
Substance addiction can be devastating, whether it’s happening to you or a family member. And, without a doubt, you want to break it quickly. However, it’s important to remember that addiction is not a habit. It is not a choice. It cannot be broken in a matter of days. Addiction is a chronic disease.
When addiction develops, drug and alcohol use is a compulsion. People are wired to continue craving and using drugs, despite a desire to stop or the negative effects it’s causing on their health, relationships, and standings. Breaking an addiction, fully and completely, requires long-term care and commitment.
The exact length of time needed to break an addiction, however, will vary person to person. Every addiction is unique. People have different reasons for using, different experiences as a result of using, and different battles they are facing in their everyday lives. As such, there is not one “right” course of treatment—or length of treatment—for substance addiction. Every treatment plan must be customized to the needs of each individual, and each individual must be allowed to complete treatment at their own pace. That is why, at Turnbridge, we employ a phased treatment model.
Clients at Turnbridge progress through treatment on their own timelines. As they show signs of readiness, they can advance to the next stage of treatment. This approach ensures that no one is rushed through the recovery process and clients are met exactly where they are. Each phase builds upon the last, helping clients gain stability, confidence, and life skills step by step.
Because true recovery isn’t about how quickly you move through the process; it’s all about how fully you heal—physically, emotionally, and mentally—so that you’re set up for long-term sobriety and success.
Interested in learning more about Turnbridge? Explore our long-term, residential treatment programs for teens and young adults online today or call 877-581-1793 to speak with a treatment specialist.