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Court-Ordered Rehab: What You Need to Know

There’s a strong connection between drug use and crime. First of all, just having certain drugs on hand is illegal. Some people also steal to fund their addictions or act out while under the influence. If you face legal action, the judge may decide court-mandated rehab is better than jail time. You can prepare for this type of treatment by learning how it works. 

What Is Court-Mandated Rehab?

Court-mandated rehab is an alternative to incarceration.1 Some judges use this option for first-time offenders. If your addiction is the main reason you broke the law, court-ordered treatment may be more appropriate than jail time. 

Many drugs impede good judgment,2 and some cause erratic behavior. For example, most people know that drunk driving is unsafe. But people with alcohol addiction often take high risks.3 You may look for ways to justify your actions, or you might not even consider that you’re putting people in harm’s way.

Court-ordered rehab gives you a chance to recover from addiction. By recognizing your own mistakes, you can change your life for the better.

How to Obtain Court-Ordered Rehab?

Ultimately, a judge will decide if you’re a candidate for court-ordered rehab. Different factors can affect how you obtain treatment, like the U.S. state in which you committed a crime. There are a few steps in the process of getting court-ordered treatment:4

  1. The judge decides if rehab is a better option than jail.
  2. The judge decides the length of court-mandated treatment.
  3. You attend an approved treatment center.

You can also request court-ordered rehab for someone else, even if they haven’t broken any laws. For example, the state of Massachusetts allows spouses and physicians to petition to send someone to rehab:

  1. You submit a petition for treatment.
  2. You go through an addiction assessment.
  3. The court decides whether rehab is the best option.
  4. The judge decides on the length of your treatment.
  5. You attend an approved treatment center.

Different states have different processes for requesting this type of rehab. If you think a person in your life needs mandatory treatment, look up how to petition a judge in your area. 

Who Is Eligible for Court-Mandated Rehab?

Many factors determine your eligibility for court-ordered drug rehabilitation.5 But it’s ultimately up to the judge. They’ll consider certain factors when deciding your case. 

Offender Would Benefit From Rehab

If the judge thinks you’ll benefit from court-ordered drug rehab, they’re more likely to offer it as an option. They’ll also consider what type of crime you committed. With non-violent offenses, like theft or drug possession, judges often recommend rehab over jail time. 

The Crime Was a Result of Alcohol or Drug Abuse

The judge may also consider your reasons for committing the crime. Many people break the law to fuel their drug addiction. For example, some drugs cause painful withdrawal symptoms and severe cravings.6 Even if you’ve never stolen before, you might do anything to make those symptoms stop. 

In these cases, judges may act with compassion. Court-ordered rehab holds you accountable while addressing the root cause of your behavior.

Types of Court-Ordered Rehab

There are several types of court-mandated rehab. The judge will choose between these options for you, even if they don’t pick a specific program.

Accelerated Pretrial Rehab Programs

An accelerated pretrial rehab program7 is a type of diversion program. Diversion programs avoid sentencing8 and offer an alternative to jail. If you’re a first-time offender, you can have criminal charges dismissed by attending this type of rehab.

Accelerated pretrial rehab focuses on getting to the root of the problem. So if you have an alcohol addiction and get a DUI for the first time, a judge might send you to pretrial rehab for alcohol treatment instead of going to trial.

Educational Programs

Court-ordered educational programs are classes that teach you about drugs and alcohol. The nature of your offense will determine which type of course you take:

  • Learning about the effects of addiction on yourself and the people around you
  • Identifying patterns of drug use and addiction
  • Creating a plan for positive life changes

Group Counseling Programs

A judge might send you to group counseling as a form of rehab. You’ll attend regular sessions with a therapist and 6-12 other people. In these meetings, you’ll learn coping skills and share mutual support. 

Detox and Inpatient Rehab Programs

If the judge thinks you require more intensive treatment, you may attend court-ordered detox and inpatient rehab. Detox is often the first step in addiction recovery. After you complete withdrawal safely, you can transition to longer-term inpatient care. 

Residential Counseling Programs

If you attend court-ordered residential rehab, you’ll probably spend up to 30 days in treatment.9 Many of these programs offer modified forms of 12-Step treatment. This kind of care provides more structure than outpatient programs. It may also focus on treating people who have committed a specific criminal offense.

Who Pays for Court-Ordered Rehab?

You have to pay for court-ordered rehab on your own. Some programs might require you to pay out of pocket, while others take insurance. 

All insurance companies cover addiction treatment10 to some extent. Still, your coverage depends on the type of program and your specific insurance plan. You might also meet the criteria for government subsidies and grants. 

Depending on your location, you may have a choice between treatment centers.11 Some states have specific treatment facilities for court-ordered rehab. Others let you choose a program from a list of approved rehabs. 

How Long Is Court-Mandated Rehab?

The duration of court-mandated rehab varies by program.12 Educational programs and accelerated pretrial rehab programs usually require you to complete certain hours. For example, you might take a 15-hour drug offender course for your first DUI. In most areas, court-ordered inpatient programs last at least 30 days, but some U.S. states offer 60-90 days of residential substance abuse treatment.

What Are the Benefits of Court-Ordered Rehab?

While it may feel like a punishment at first, court-ordered drug rehabilitation can serve as a wake-up call. These programs can serve to encourage patients to get the help they need before facing more severe consequences. 

Alternative to Jail

Jail is probably the last place anyone wants to be. Studies show people with substance use disorder benefit more from rehab than jail.13 You still have to spend time away from home in a rehab facility—but you’ll be in a space that helps you grow. During treatment, you can practice the coping skills you need to build a life you love.

Safe Environment 

Going to jail puts you at risk of violence and cuts you off from social support. A space like this can do more harm than good for someone with an addiction. 

Rehab programs, on the other hand, are there to help you recover. You’ll be in a protected space, with 24/7 access to a team of healthcare professionals. Their job is to keep you safe during detox and recovery.

Accountability

Both jail and rehab hold you accountable for your actions. But while jail focuses on punishment, rehab motivates patients to heal. In therapy, you can learn how to take responsibility for your future. 

Support Network

In jail, there’s no guarantee that the people around you will have your best interests at heart. But you can build a strong support network in rehab. That may include your care team or other people in recovery. If your program offers family therapy, you can reconnect with loved ones while you’re still in residential treatment.

What Happens if Someone Fails Court-Ordered Rehab?

Sometimes people violate court orders by not attending therapy, skipping classes, or not taking treatment seriously. When you fail court-ordered rehab,14 the judge will decide on the consequences. They can choose between a variety of options:

  • Fines
  • More time in treatment
  • Extended probation
  • Immediate jail time

Is Court-Mandated Rehab Effective?

Involuntary addiction treatment can be very effective.15 A 2012 study found that people in mandatory rehab were more likely to complete treatment.16 Still, there isn’t much research on how effective court-ordered treatment is in the long term. 

The willingness to heal is a vital part of recovery. Court-ordered drug rehabilitation inspires many people to recover. Others may not be ready to commit to treatment. It all depends on the person.

Connect With a Treatment Program

Addiction and mental health issues can make it hard to recognize yourself sometimes. But there are many ways to get the help you need and start healing when you’re ready. 

Learn more about different types of treatment for addiction today. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Court-Ordered Rehab

What is court-mandated rehab?

Court-mandated rehab is an alternative to jail for people whose addiction led them to commit a crime. Instead of incarceration, a judge may order them to undergo addiction treatment to address the root cause of their behavior.

How do I obtain court-ordered rehab?

The decision for court-ordered rehab lies with the judge. If you or someone you know needs this type of treatment, you can submit a petition and go through an addiction assessment. The court will then determine if rehab is the best option and set the length of the treatment.

Who is eligible for court-mandated rehab?

Eligibility for court-ordered rehab depends on various factors considered by the judge. Offenders who would benefit from rehab, especially those involved in non-violent offenses driven by substance abuse, are more likely to be offered this option as an alternative to jail.

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9 Ways To Help Someone With An Addiction

If your loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol, you can make an impact in their life by supporting their recovery journey. Being a positive support for your loved one can help them navigate the transition to treatment, and life afterwards. If the addicted person doesn’t have a strong support network, they could easily fall back to old patterns. You can be that powerful motivator.

There are resources available to help work through addiction at all stages of rehabilitation. You can start the journey by finding addiction treatment to start the healing process today.

What To Do: How to Help Someone With an Addiction

Here are 9 ways you can help a loved one who’s struggling with addiction.

1. Educate Yourself

Addiction is not necessarily “curable,” but with understanding and guidance, it is possible to successfully manage the ups and downs of it. Education is key for family and loved ones to provide the best support to those affected by addiction. Empowering yourself through knowledge helps you through the recovery process.

The Biology of Addiction

When you take drugs, they interrupt how neurotransmitters communicate in the brain1. Addiction begins when your brain produces less of its natural neurotransmitters due to high, constant drug use. You can build up a tolerance and need to take more of the substance. At first, using drugs or drinking alcohol is a choice, but it can soon spiral out of control.

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Eventually, some neurotransmitter networks and areas of the brain become damaged from the constant disruption. Because of this, addiction changes your brain chemistry, so many scientists believe that it is a disease. In some ways, you can look at addiction like cancer or diabetes. It’s an ongoing disease that, luckily, can be treatable. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) thoughtfully puts it, “addiction is a disease, not a character flaw2.”

2. Recognize The Signs of Relapse

Just like other diseases, relapse is always possible. So, being aware of warning signs is crucial. Everyone’s triggers are different, but common ones include stress and trauma. 

If your loved one is about to relapse, you might notice them fudging the truth, keeping secrets, or lying about their whereabouts. They could also show other changes in behavior such as:

  • Being withdrawn or distant
  • Showing a loss of interest in activities they like
  • Displaying mood swings

If you notice this, you may want to start gathering resources for help and talk to a professional. 

3. Listen

Be compassionate with your loved one. Ask them questions about why they drink or use drugs. And speak without judgment. Getting them to trust you with this vulnerable information is the first step towards getting them the help they need.

3A. Be open-minded: Ask questions that can help your loved one reflect on their addiction and their progress. Don’t judge the person or their decisions. Show that you are open to different approaches and solutions.

4. Be Patient

This process can be a great opportunity to show your loved one how much you care. Being patient and empathetic throughout their recovery journey will help them through difficult times and be greatly appreciated. Let the person know that you care and understand what they are going through. Your presence and support will be invaluable to them.

5. Vocalize Your Support

Sometimes, we think actions speak louder than words, but voicing your support of this journey is so important. Just saying, “I love you, and we’re going to get through this together” can encourage your loved one during a confusing and difficult time. Here are some more supportive phrases for recovery:

1. “I’m here for you no matter what.”

2. “I’m proud of you for seeking help.”

3. “I believe in you.”

4. “I’m here to help.”

5. “You can do this.”

Words of Support and Encouragement for Your Loved One During Their Recovery Journey.

6. Set Healthy Boundaries

Prioritize yourself and your wellbeing while helping your loved one. It is a difficult process, so remember to take a break when needed. It’s okay if you are unable to be involved in every aspect of their healing. If a situation becomes heated, consider setting a boundary such as taking a break from the conversation to reflect and come back to it in a more peaceful mindset. 

7. Have Realistic Expectations

Change doesn’t happen overnight. Be patient and supportive of your family member/friend’s journey of recovery. Celebrate each step of progress they make and encourage them to keep going. Don’t expect instant results, as change takes time and effort. Remind them that with perseverance, anything is possible. Be their source of hope and strength.

8. Offer resources

Suggest helpful resources or support groups that may be beneficial. Your loved one may want to look into different groups like Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous3, Women for Sobriety4, or SMART Recovery5. They can also explore our resource center with different articles to learn more about their condition or recovery in general.

9. Research Treatment and Recovery Resources

One of the biggest ways you can help your loved one is by getting them professional treatment. Rehab, outpatient programs, and/or therapy all teach clients the tools they need to regulate their emotions and behaviors to reinforce their sobriety. 

What Not To Do:

This is a sensitive time, and there are some things you might want to avoid to keep the recovery journey on track.

1. Don’t Enable

While you want to support your loved one, there’s a fine line between support and enabling. Don’t give your loved one money or a place to stay if their predicament results from drug use. Don’t tolerate negative behavior. And don’t rescue them every time they mess up. Instead, hold them accountable and practice tough love.

2. Don’t Blame Yourself or Them

Many factors go into how addiction forms, and you could end up wasting a lot of energy trying to pinpoint the cause. Instead, you can focus on taking action and moving forward to overcome this struggle.

3. Don’t Force Them To Quit

If your loved one feels like they can’t trust you because you demand they quit, that could make matters worse. They might start sneaking around or lying about their actions. And the less you know about their addiction, the less likely you’ll know how to help.

Offer to help them, but don’t demand sobriety immediately.

4. Don’t Ignore The Problem

Pretending an issue doesn’t exist doesn’t make it go away, especially for addiction. By ignoring it, you’re enabling it. You can take concrete steps to better your loved one’s life.

Find a Treatment Program For Addiction

So your loved one admits they need help, now what?

Doing some research to find the best kind of treatment for their needs is a great start. 

A good, and often necessary, first step in the healing journey is detox. Medically monitored detox safely rids your body of drugs and alcohol and can help you feel clear minded and ready to tackle treatment.

Many people then need residential rehab to overcome their addiction. Residential care can help them replace their unhealthy coping mechanism, substances, with positive habits. They’ll learn new techniques with therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to be well equipped to face the uncomfortable feelings that come with addiction recovery. And they’ll likely engage in holistic activities like yoga for well-rounded healing.

If you’re a family member, you may want to look into a program that offers family therapy. Usually, you’ll work with a therapist and your loved one. Or, they might offer a family weekend for on-site visits. Another key component of family therapy is addiction education. You’ll learn more about the addiction and recovery process, so post-treatment your loved one will have a healthy environment to come home to.

Post-residential care, sober living homes offer more flexibility while providing a comfortable place for your loved one to focus on their sobriety. They’ll likely attend an outpatient program, go to work or school, and grow with other peers in recovery. This is especially great for those who need a stable environment to heal in.


Recovery starts with a single step. You can make an impact in your loved one’s life by reaching out to addiction treatment centers.

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How Long It Takes to Rewire the Brain From Addiction and What to Expect

When you stop using drugs and alcohol, it takes time to rewire your brain. The exact timeframe depends on several factors. For example, certain drugs lengthen the rewiring process. Some practices can also help you recover faster. Learn about what influences this aspect of healing.

The Brain and Addiction: How Addiction Rewires the Brain

Addiction hijacks your brain’s reward system. Specifically, it affects dopamine. This neurotransmitter relates to feelings of happiness and achievement. Activities like exercise, spending time with friends, and engaging in a hobby can all trigger the release of dopamine. 

When you have an addiction, your brain associates a certain activity with the release of dopamine. Whether you’re using drugs, drinking, gambling, or something else, the connection gets stronger every time you do it. 

Over time, your brain adjusts. It becomes less sensitive to dopamine flooding your system. As your tolerance goes up, you’ll need a higher dose just to feel the same effect. This cycle disrupts your brain’s natural reward system.1 Since your brain is producing less dopamine on its own, activities you used to enjoy won’t be as satisfying. Only your addiction will provide the dopamine boost your brain craves.

What Affects the Timeframe for Brain Rewiring From Addiction

It usually takes up to 14 months for the brain to rewire from addiction.2 But there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for recovery. Certain factors impact the speed of this process:

  • The substance you abused: Some drugs change your brain chemistry more dramatically than others. For example, cocaine releases up to 10 times the amount of dopamine3 your body can naturally produce. The more intensely a drug affects your brain, the longer it might take to rewire it again.
  • The severity of your addiction: The longer you use drugs or alcohol, the more your brain changes.4 People with years of drug abuse may recover more slowly than those who get help sooner. Plus, the more addictive substances you use, the greater the impact on your brain chemistry.5
  • Other mental health factors: Addiction is just one component of mental health. When you’re also healing from a co-occurring disorder, recovery may take more time.
  • Proper treatment: Rewiring your brain is hard work. In rehab, you’ll get support throughout this process. Therapy, medication, and other treatments can make a huge difference during recovery.

With these variables in play, it can take your brain anywhere from weeks to months to heal from addiction. For some people, it takes even longer. And it’s nearly impossible to predict your exact timeline in advance. 

The Stages of Brain Rewiring From Addiction

At any pace, you’ll probably progress through certain stages on your way to recovery. You may need different types of support during each phase.

Stage 1: Withdrawal

When you first stop using drugs or alcohol, your body will enter withdrawal. You may experience physical and emotional symptoms during this process. For most people, this is an uncomfortable time.

In some cases, detox can be life-threatening. Medical detox programs can keep you safe until you complete this stage. For most people, withdrawal symptoms go away in a week or less.6 

Stage 2: Active Rewiring

Drug cravings might not end when you complete withdrawal. But once your body starts to heal, they may feel less urgent. In this stage, you’ll have the space you need to focus on your mental health

Longer-term treatment, like rehab or ongoing therapy, lets you dig into the root cause of your addiction. You’ll identify your triggers and learn to respond without drinking or using drugs. For most people, this active stage of rewiring the brain can take up to a year.7

Stage 3: Maintenance

Recovery is often a life-long process. Some people continue to have cravings for years after detox. They may never subside completely. But with the right support, you can develop the skills you need to navigate your triggers.

Strategies for Accelerating Brain Rewiring From Addiction

When you put in the work to rewire your brain from addiction, you leverage your brain’s adaptability. Before, your brain’s neuroplasticity fed into your addiction. Now, it can help you build routines that support recovery. While your brain may heal naturally, there are a few ways to speed up the process.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness helps you practice awareness of the present moment, which can make using substances less reflexive. That’s because mindfulness gives you more emotional space. Instead of responding to triggers impulsively, you’ll have time to remember your coping skills. 

Data shows that mindfulness can help people stop using drugs. One study found that mindfulness-based relapse prevention8 was more effective than other common treatments.

Exercise and Eat Well

Exercise releases dopamine9 in your brain. As it travels through your reward system, it reinforces new neural pathways. In essence, this undoes some of the damage addiction causes. Exercise also promotes cell regeneration, which helps your brain heal faster. 

Eating well is a big part of physical fitness. Studies link a balanced diet with ongoing sobriety and better mental health.10 

Find the Right Therapy for You

Therapy is another powerful tool for rewiring your brain from addiction. Individual therapy helps you recognize your behavioral patterns, empowering you to change them. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)11 is a powerful strategy here. In this type of therapy, you’ll learn practical skills that help you respond to your triggers and cravings. 

In addition to 1:1 therapy, group therapy sessions can be very helpful. Groups let you practice new coping skills and share mutual support with other people in recovery. 

Realistic Expectations for Brain Rewiring From Addiction

While certain treatments can help with addiction recovery, there’s no quick fix here. It takes time and effort to rewire your brain from addiction. Think of this process as an investment in your long-term treatment goals.


If you’re ready to find support, you can browse rehab programs for addiction.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rewiring the Brain From Addiction

How long does it take to rewire the brain from addiction?

The timeframe for rewiring the brain from addiction varies, but it typically takes up to 14 months. Factors such as the substance involved, severity of the addiction, presence of co-occurring mental health disorders, and quality of treatment influence the brain’s speed of recovery. While some progress can be made in just a few weeks, recovery is a lifelong process.

What are the stages of brain rewiring during addiction recovery?

The stages of brain rewiring in recovery include withdrawal, active rewiring, and maintenance. During withdrawal, physical and emotional symptoms occur as a result of stopping substance use. Active rewiring entails addressing mental health and triggers through rehab or therapy. Maintenance is an ongoing phase in which cravings may persist, but proper support can help you navigate triggers effectively.

How can I accelerate brain rewiring from addiction?

Mindfulness practices promote awareness of triggers and coping skills, while exercise releases dopamine and promotes brain healing. Eating a balanced diet contributes to ongoing sobriety and better mental health. Ongoing therapy can help you recognize behavioral patterns and develop practical skills for managing triggers and cravings. Rewiring the brain from addiction requires time and dedication to long-term treatment goals.

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How Long Does It Take to Break an Addiction?

Addiction recovery takes time. And when you first quit drugs or alcohol, you might want to speed through the process. Many people wonder, “How long does it take to break an addiction?”

There’s no way to determine precisely how long recovery will take. That’s because this process looks different for everyone. And many factors—like your lifestyle, genetics, and physical health—affect how quickly you can break an addiction. 

Does It Take 21 Days to Stop an Addiction?

You may have heard it takes 21 days to form or change a habit.1 That just isn’t true. But where did this myth come from? It all started with a misunderstanding of Dr. Maxwell Maltz’s research.

Dr. Maltz, a writer and plastic surgeon, described this timeline in his 1960 book Psycho-Cybernetics. But he wasn’t talking about behavior at all. Instead, he made the point that it takes at least 21 days for self-image to change. 

He explained that after about 21 days, his patients could let go of their mental images before surgery and accept their new look. Readers widely misinterpreted his work, perhaps out of wishful thinking. Today, this myth is so widespread that many people think it’s a fact. 

Why It Can Take at Least 90 Days of Treatment

Addiction is complex. There’s no simple answer to questions like “How many days does it take to break an addiction?” That number could go up if you have additional health problems and require medical care. On the other hand, it could go down if you attend a recovery program that meets your needs perfectly. 

However, some experts believe there is a bare minimum: 90 days of treatment.

90 Days of Treatment or More

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), attending treatment for at least 90 days yields the best outcomes.2

But 90 days isn’t always enough. Different substances have various treatment minimums ranging from months to years. For example, if you’re healing from opioid addiction, NIDA recommends at least 12 months of treatment.

Addiction and the Brain

Over time, excessive drug or alcohol use changes your neurochemistry.3 Substance use disorder impacts your brain’s prefrontal cortex, which governs decision-making and impulse control. So the more you take drugs, the less self-control you have. And the less self-control you have, the harder it becomes to quit. 

In recovery, your brain can take a while to heal fully. You might continue to have cravings for a long time after detox. In rehab, you’ll learn how to manage those feelings while you keep moving toward your recovery goals. 

Forming New Habits

Addiction recovery might start with quitting drugs and alcohol, but it doesn’t end there. You’ll also find new ways to fill your time while sober. You might develop coping skills, try new activities, or return to hobbies you love. With practice, you can learn to meet your emotional needs without abusing drugs.

Data suggests that it takes 66 days to build a new habit.4 For example, imagine that you start doing yoga every morning in rehab. According to research, it should take just over 2 months for that behavior to become automatic. Eventually, you’ll be able to get up and do yoga without even thinking about it, the same way you might drink coffee or brush your teeth. 

This timeline doesn’t change how long it takes to break old habits. You might experience cravings long after your yoga practice becomes routine. And some people take a longer time to make these changes. For example, ADHD affects the way you form habits.5 If you have that diagnosis, you may need more time to solidify new coping skills.

Factors That Contribute to How Quickly Addiction Can Be Broken

Certain aspects of your lifestyle and health history impact how long it takes to break an addiction:

  • Personal history of other addictions
  • Which drugs you’ve been using 
  • Physical health issues
  • How long you’ve been abusing substances
  • Co-occurring disorders
  • Social support6
  • Genetics
  • Environment
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Family history of addiction
  • Type of treatment

Some of these factors, like genetics, are outside your control. But you can have an impact on others. For example, your support network outside rehab might include people who encourage you to do drugs. Those relationships can interfere with your recovery. If that’s an issue for you, changing your environment can help you heal. 

It’s also essential to find the right type of care. For example, intensive inpatient treatment might be the best option if you need a lot of structure. But many inpatient programs ask you to take a break from talking to friends and family members. If you have unavoidable commitments like childcare, this can be a barrier to treatment. People who need more flexibility might consider outpatient care programs instead.

Find a Treatment Program to Break the Addiction Cycle

Finding treatment can help you break the cycle of addiction. The first 90 days of recovery are crucial. During that time, a professional care team can give you the support you need.

Even after those 90 days, you might still experience cravings. You’ll also learn to recognize and work through triggers. These issues might never go away completely. Recovery means learning to live with them, not avoiding them altogether. 

As you look for a rehab program, consider your unique recovery goals. Are you also healing from a co-occurring mental health issue? Do you want to practice relationship skills? How much medical care do you need during treatment? These questions and others like them can help you find the best program for you.


Browse rehab programs and get the help you need to break out of addiction.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breaking an Addiction

How long does it take to stop an addiction?

Overcoming addiction is a unique journey, and the duration can vary based on the substance or behavior involved, your commitment to recovery, and various personal and environmental factors. While there’s no fixed timeline, many experts recommend at least 90 days of treatment for the best outcomes.

Can an addiction be broken within 21 days?

The belief that it takes 21 days to break an addiction is a common myth. This misconception originated from Dr. Maxwell Maltz’s research on self-image change, not addiction behavior. The process of overcoming addiction is complex and can take longer, involving factors like neurochemical changes in the brain, forming new habits, and addressing underlying issues.

What factors influence how quickly an addiction can be broken?

Several factors contribute to the timeline of recovering from addiction, including your personal health history, substance or behavior of choice, duration of the addiction, co-occurring mental health conditions, available social support, and the quality of treatment you receive. Finding the right treatment program can significantly impact your recovery process.

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Addiction vs. Dependence: Understanding the Difference

The terms “addiction” and “dependence” may sound interchangeable, but they mean different things. Dependence is the physical reliance on a drug. Addiction, on the other hand, has primarily psychological symptoms. You can be dependent on a substance without having an addiction. Most types of addiction include physical dependence—but that’s not always true. When you understand the difference between these issues, you can find the type of treatment that best suits your needs.

Defining Addiction

Addiction means continuing to use a substance1 in spite of its negative consequences. This is a complex psychological condition. Addiction affects the way you think and how you behave. You might feel like your actions are out of your control. While everyone’s experience is different, there are some common signs of addiction:

  • Obsessively thinking about the substance or behavior
  • Feeling like you can’t stop acting on your cravings, no matter how hard you try
  • Developing withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit
  • Isolating yourself or hiding your behavior

People can be addicted to multiple substances at a time. This includes prescription drugs, alcohol, and illicit drugs. You can also develop addictions to behaviors like sex, watching porn, using the internet, and gambling. 

Understanding Dependence

With dependence, your body relies on a substance2 to feel normal. If you go into withdrawal when you stop drinking or taking drugs, you probably have a physical dependence on that substance. Withdrawal symptoms3 vary depending on your exact health history, but a few are especially common:

  • Sweating
  • Tremors
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Increased heart rate
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Headaches
  • Seizures
  • Hallucinations 

Both illicit and prescription substances can cause physical dependence on drugs. But there’s a difference between dependence vs. addiction. For example, many people with diabetes depend on insulin but aren’t psychologically addicted to it. You can also come to depend on substances like alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and nicotine. And some prescription drugs, like opioids, have high rates of both dependence and addiction.4

Even if you only take drugs as prescribed, it’s important to monitor your substance use. Notice when and why you start to physically depend on a drug. If that substance dependence has a negative impact on your life, you could be at risk of addiction.

Psychological vs. Physiological Aspects

It’s possible to have addiction without dependence,5 and vice versa. But if you have both, your physical and psychological symptoms might feed off each other. For example, you might start taking opioids to relieve pain after an injury. Then, as your body heals, lowering your dosage could make you feel anxious. What starts as a physical need can become an emotional one.

Without proper support, this can quickly lead to addiction. When you’re ready to recover, it may help to differentiate between the physiological and psychological aspects of what you’re going through. Doing this empowers you and your care team to choose the most effective types of treatment.

Psychological Aspects of Addiction

There’s a good reason addiction feels so out of your control. Addictive substances change the way your brain works.6 They flood your brain with dopamine, a feel-good chemical that activates your reward system. Over time, substances change the way your brain produces dopamine.7 Drug use might become the only thing that gives you a sense of reward. The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains:

“The difference between normal rewards and drug rewards can be likened to the difference between someone whispering into your ear and someone shouting into a microphone. Just as we turn down the volume on a radio that is too loud, the brain of someone who misuses drugs adjusts by producing fewer neurotransmitters in the reward circuit, or by reducing the number of receptors that can receive signals. As a result, the person’s ability to experience pleasure from naturally rewarding (i.e., reinforcing) activities is also reduced.”

Physiological Aspects of Dependence

Like your brain, your body can quickly get used to any drugs8 you take. If you use a drug often, you’ll need higher doses to feel the same effects. This is called tolerance. You can develop a tolerance to some drugs very quickly. For example, it takes just 2-3 doses of opioids9 for some people to develop a tolerance.

Once you have a tolerance, you might start taking higher doses to get the same effect. You might also become physically dependent on the drug, and feel withdrawal symptoms if you try to quit. Many people keep using drugs to avoid those withdrawal symptoms. If this pattern continues, it might lead to addiction. 

If your body depends on a substance, withdrawal can range from being uncomfortable to dangerous. Detoxing from certain substances—like alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines—can even be fatal. Formal addiction treatment can keep you safe during this phase of recovery.

Implications and Consequences

Addiction can impact every aspect of your life, starting with your mental health.10 Substances change your brain, and might contribute to co-occurring disorders like anxiety and depression. These symptoms, along with other aspects of addiction, can interfere with your relationships. If you prioritize drug use over your colleagues or loved ones, you might face serious consequences. 

Dependence also affects your physical health, whether or not you have an addiction. For example, alcohol dependence can lead to liver problems,11 heart disease, and even cancer. Opioids increase your risk for cardiac and respiratory problems.12 And illicit drug use has a high risk of overdose13 and death.

While addiction and dependence aren’t the same, they often overlap. So when you start recovery, both your body and mind will need time to heal.

Connect with a rehab program for alcohol and drug addiction to determine which treatments can best meet your unique needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction vs Dependence

What’s the difference between addiction and dependence?

Dependence is a physical reliance on a substance, while addiction is a psychological condition wherein people continue using substances despite negative consequences. While both are often present at the same time, they’re not always the same.

Can someone be dependent on a substance without having addiction? 

Yes, you can be dependent on a substance without having an addiction. Dependence refers to the physical reliance on a substance to feel normal, while addiction involves psychological symptoms and compulsive behavior. While most types of addiction include physical dependence, not all cases of dependence indicate addiction.

What are the common signs of addiction?

Common signs of addiction include obsessively thinking about the substance or behavior, being unable to stop acting on cravings, having withdrawals when you attempt to quit, and isolating yourself or hiding the behavior in question. Addiction affects the way you think and behave, and it may involve substances or behaviors such as drugs, alcohol, sex, internet use, and gambling.

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How Long Does It Take to Detox?

Detox usually lasts at least a couple of days, but many factors can affect how long detox lasts and your side effects. Getting proper care during this sensitive time is vital. Licensed professionals will help you understand how long the detox process is and safely guide you through it.

These days can provide an opportunity to start a healthier life, and detox can help lay the foundation for success. Residential or outpatient treatment can further equip you with necessary skills to maintain sobriety. To begin your journey towards a healthier life, explore the various detox services available.

Factors Affecting Detox Duration

Here are 4 things to consider when talking with a doctor about what your detox process will look like:

  • How long you’ve been using the substance
  • To what extent you’ve been using the substance
  • If you’ve been using just one substance vs multiple substances
  • Individual factors, such as overall health, mental health conditions, and metabolism
Caption here.

Detox Timeline for Common Substances

Every substance, and every person, is different, but this is what you can expect to encounter during detox for each substance. 

Alcohol

Alcohol detox usually lasts 2 – 10 days1. Symptoms appear within 6 – 24 hours after quitting drinking and are most severe during the 36 – 72 hour period. Symptoms include:

  • Anxiety
  • Sweating
  • Tremors
  • Dehydration
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea and vomiting

Severe withdrawal may involve complications like:

  • Seizures
  • Hallucinations
  • Delirium tremens
  • Extreme agitation

Alcohol detox can be life threatening, so doing this with medical care is vital.

Opioids/Heroin

Opioids are drugs such as heroin, opium, morphine, codeine, and methadone. Detox can last 4 – 20 days, depending on the opioid used1. Quick-acting opioids like heroin typically have a shorter duration than long-acting opioids like fentanyl. Withdrawal symptoms usually appear in 8 – 12 hours after quitting. Symptoms include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Hot and cold flashes
  • Sweating
  • Muscle cramps
  • Diarrhea

Opioid withdrawal can be safely worked through as long as you are detoxing with medical supervision. 

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are psychoactive drugs that act as central nervous system depressants. Doctors prescribe them to treat anxiety and sleeping disorders. This drug is relatively easy to become addicted to, so if you are prescribed benzodiazepines, you should use them with caution.

Detox typically lasts 2 – 8 weeks, depending on the benzodiazepine. Quick acting benzodiazepines, like oxazepam, have a shorter detox period1, while clonazepam and other long acting ones have longer detox periods. Symptoms include:

  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Restlessness
  • Agitation
  • Poor concentration and memory
  • Muscle pains

Benzodiazepine withdrawal could be fatal, so it’s important to taper off these with guidance from medical professionals.

Meth/Stimulants

Stimulants are drugs such as methamphetamine, amphetamine, and cocaine. Detox usually lasts 3 – 5 days1, and symptoms begin within 24 hours of quitting. Symptoms include:

  • Agitation and irritability
  • Depression
  • Increased sleeping and appetite
  • Muscle aches

Particularly those who use methamphetamine can develop hallucinations, paranoia, or depressed thoughts during detox.

Meth and stimulant withdrawal can be safely worked through as long as you detox with medical support. 

Barbiturates

Barbiturates are depressant drugs prescribed for sleep aid, muscle spasms, anxiety relief, and seizure prevention. Detox usually lasts around 2 weeks, and symptoms appear 2 – 4 days after stopping the medication2. Symptoms include:

Barbiturate detox can be life-threatening, so it’s vital to do so under medical supervision.

Marijuana

Marijuana detox typically lasts 1 – 2 weeks1, and the symptoms are relatively mild compared to other detoxification processes. However, this can still be an uncomfortable experience. Symptoms include:

  • Anxiety 
  • Feelings of fear or dissociation
  • Restlessness
  • Irritability
  • Poor appetite
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Gastrointestinal upsets
  • Night sweats
  • Tremors

Marijuana withdrawal can be safely worked through as long as you detox with medical supervision. 

Your Unique Experience Detoxing

Taking all of this into account, detox duration and experience can vary from person to person.

The detox process can negatively affect your co-occurring disorder(s)4 or vice versa. This could apply to medical disorders or mental disorders. Agitation, depression, or hallucinations can appear during detox, so if your mental health issues include these, they may be heightened during this process.

Be sure to tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have. It’s very important that they take these into account when deciding what medication to give you, your tapering timeline, etc.

Medical Detox vs. Other Forms of Detox

Detox is a broad term, and the general definition is to rid the body of toxic things. When we hear “detox,” we may first think of using dandelion tea to cleanse our bodies, or holistically-based cellular detox. 

Medical detox, what we’ve been covering in this article, involves ridding the body of drugs or alcohol under the supervision of licensed medical professionals. Often, this involves using medication to assist the detoxification, like methadone and diazepam. 

Coming off of any substance could have negative or life threatening effects, so this process shouldn’t be taken lightly. Your detox beyond dandelion tea needs to be medically monitored for your own safety and well being.  

Detoxing Safely With Professional Guidance

Substance detox is a complicated process that requires professional guidance 24/71. Doctors can help you safely rid yourself of the substance. You could risk harming yourself if you detox without proper care. You might also relapse without the guidance of a doctor. Having professionals there helps make this uncomfortable experience as comfortable as possible. 

Post-Detox Transition and Treatment

Detox is a great start to recovery, but most of the time people will relapse if that’s the only care they receive1. The next part of your journey can include attending a residential or outpatient program to build your recovery toolkit with essential coping skills. In fact, SAMHSA emphasizes this as their 3rd pillar of detoxification5. These 3 components are 

  • Evaluation: testing how substance use has affected your body and creating a plan
  • Stabilization: medically assisted detox to get you to a stable, substance-free state
  • Fostering the patient’s entry into treatment: emphasizing the importance that you follow through with a substance abuse program to maintain your sobriety

During detox, you usually won’t participate in talk therapy because you’re in a susceptible, healing state. The real work and self growth comes after detox. During residential or outpatient care, you’ll work in individual and group therapy sessions using a variety of methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a highly effective treatment for addiction6. This is because it targets the thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns that are common in substance use disorder.

You can build a support network with your therapists, peers, and family. You’ll learn to identify the early warning signs of relapse. You can even participate in relapse prevention groups. And in treatment, you’ll have more time to solidify your new coping skills. 

Addiction is more than just using substances, and recovery is more than just detoxing from those substances. It’s impacted your perspective and how you think. Treatment can guide you back to a better place by shifting how you view yourself, your surroundings, and your future. 

 A Step Forward You can try your best to plan for what your detox may look like, but the bottom line is that there are a lot of variables. Detoxing safely with medical professionals ensures that the bumps along the road during this process can be molehills instead of mountains. Explore where your new journey will take you by starting with detox.

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The Most Common Addictions in the United States

Both drug and behavioral addictions are extremely common in the United States. And drug addiction is steadily on the rise. 

In 2021, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that nearly 50 million Americans have drug or alcohol addictions.1 Behavioral addictions, like gambling and internet use, are also a growing concern. 

If you’re wondering how to overcome addiction, you can start by learning about the most abused drugs in the United States. 

Alcohol Addiction

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 11.3% of adult Americans have alcohol addiction.2 A report from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence even calls alcohol “the most commonly used addictive substance3 in the United States.”

Causes:

There are several possible causes of alcohol addiction:4 

Alcohol is widely available, and many people feel social pressure to drink.5 This can also contribute to addiction.

Effects: 

According to the CDC, long-term excessive drinking puts you at risk6 of physical health problems:

  • High blood pressure
  • Liver disease
  • Cancer

Alcohol addiction also affects mental health.7 It can lead to depression, memory problems, and even antisocial behavior.

Treatments:

There are many treatments for alcohol addiction. Experts report that a few specific types of therapy are especially helpful:8

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Motivational enhancement therapy (MET)
  • Contingency management
  • Couples therapy
  • 12-Step programs

Opioid Addiction

There is currently an opioid addiction crisis in the United States.9 These drugs play a role in nearly 75% of all overdose deaths. According to SAMHSA, 1% of all Americans over the age of 12 had opioid addiction in 2020.10 

Causes:

Many factors contribute to opioid addiction,11 like genetics and mental health issues. Childhood trauma also makes you more vulnerable. Chronic pain is a major risk factor,12 especially if you manage it with an opioid prescription. 

Effects:

Opioid abuse has many health risks.13 As your tolerance goes up, you may need higher and higher doses to manage physical pain. This addiction also cuts into the time you spend with loved ones, damaging your relationships.

Opioid use can be life-threatening. Overdose causes respiratory depression, in which you can stop breathing. Without immediate medical attention, this is often fatal.

Treatments:

Opioid addiction treatment normally includes more than one type of care: 

Marijuana Addiction

In 2020, marijuana addiction was one of the 3 most common addictions in the United States.16 As cannabis becomes more socially acceptable, rates of this addiction may continue to rise. 

Causes:

The younger you are when you start using marijuana,17 the higher your risk of addiction. The drug’s potency also plays a role.

As more states legalize cannabis, scientists are developing more potent strains. According to Tom Freeman, Director of the Addiction and Mental Health Group at the University of Bath, high-potency marijuana has 4 times the risk of addiction.18 

Effects:

There’s a relationship between marijuana use and mental health issues,19 but we need more data to determine which one causes the other. Research shows that marijuana addiction shares symptoms with anxiety and depression. Long-term marijuana use also causes memory problems.20 

Treatments:

Most marijuana rehabs focus on counseling. During treatment, you might engage in a few types of talk therapy:21

  • MET
  • CBT
  • Contingency management

Scientists are still researching medications to treat cannabis addiction. 

Cocaine Addiction

SAMHSA estimates that 1.3 million people have cocaine addiction22 in the United States. Nearly 25% of these people are teenagers. Some studies suggest that teens are more vulnerable to cocaine addiction23 than adults. 

Causes:

In addition to age, genetics play a role in cocaine addiction.24 What’s more, ongoing cocaine use can change your brain activity, so your reward system responds only to the drug. Over time, that increases your risk of addiction.

Effects:

Cocaine causes a wide range of physical symptoms. Snorting cocaine harms your nasal passages,25 causing nosebleeds, sinus issues, and respiratory problems. Smoking crack cocaine causes lung damage. Cocaine also impacts your cardiovascular system, reducing blood flow throughout the body. 

Treatments:

Most rehabs treat cocaine addiction with behavioral therapy. Contingency management and various types of CBT are especially beneficial treatments.26 There are currently no FDA-approved medications for this condition. 

Methamphetamine Addiction

Reports show that in 2019, over 2 million American adults used methamphetamine,27 up from 1.6 million in 2015. In the same time period, the number of deaths and arrests related to methamphetamine skyrocketed.

Causes:

Several experiences increase your risk of meth addiction:28

  • Drinking
  • Smoking
  • Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Family history of legal issues
  • Family history of drug use

Effects:

Meth addiction causes many physical and mental health symptoms:29 

  • Paranoia and hallucinations
  • Anxiety
  • Organ damage, especially to the lungs, liver, and kidneys
  • Dental problems
  • High blood pressure
  • Permanent neurological changes

Treatments:

In treatment for methamphetamine addiction, you’ll probably engage in behavioral therapy. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), CBT and contingency management are “the most effective treatments30 for methamphetamine addiction.”

Gambling Addiction

Because research into this condition is so new, it’s hard to accurately assess how many people have a gambling addiction. But some reports estimate that “roughly 1 percent of American adults, or about 2.5 million people, have a severe gambling problem.”31

Causes:

Men are at a higher risk for gambling addiction.32 You might also be more vulnerable if you were raised by a single parent or a parent with an addiction. 

Effects:

Unlike substance use disorders, behavioral addictions rarely have physical symptoms. Even so, the effects of gambling addiction33 can be overwhelming:

  • Anxiety which is only relieved by gambling
  • New or worsening depressive symptoms
  • Financial hardship
  • Strained family relationships

Treatments:

When you’re ready to recover from gambling addiction, your care team will help you choose the right treatments. That means something different for everyone. Most programs recommend at least one type of talk therapy to treat gambling disorder:34

  • CBT
  • Psychodynamic therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Family therapy

In rehab, you might also attend a 12-Step group like Gamblers Anonymous (GA).

Internet and Gaming Addiction

At least 93% of Americans are internet users.35 One study found that within that number, 63% of teenage internet users go online every day, and 36% go online several times each day.36 

While we have clear data about internet use, we need more about internet and gaming addiction. Various studies claim that anywhere from 38-90% of internet users have internet addiction.37 Another survey reports that 3.3% of people who play video games have a gaming addiction.38 

Causes:

Gaming and internet addiction are more common among men.39 Several factors make these conditions more likely: 

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • ADHD
  • Social isolation
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Low self-esteem

These issues can lead to internet addiction—and vice versa. Unchecked internet use makes the same symptoms even more severe. 

Effects:

Excessive gaming can have serious health effects:40 

  • Back pain
  • Eye strain
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Sporadic eating habits
  • Sleep problems

Internet addiction also isolates you from loved ones. In extreme cases, it can interfere with work or school.

Treatments:

A growing number of rehabs treat internet and gaming addiction. However, this is a new area of study. Researchers warn that until we have more data, we should approach all treatments for these addictions as experimental.41 

Despite these concerns, mental health professionals recommend a few types of therapy for internet and gaming addiction:42 

  • CBT
  • Wilderness therapy
  • Family therapy

Food Addiction

Various reports estimate that anywhere from 5.8-56.8% of Americans have a food addiction.43 Experts also note the overlap between food addiction and eating disorders44 like bulimia nervosa. 

Causes:

Food addiction and drug addiction45 often co-occur. Either one might make the other more likely. Severe childhood abuse can also lead to food addiction46 in adulthood. This condition is more likely for people with depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Effects:

While food addiction can make you gain weight,47 that’s not true for everyone. More consistently, it leads to overwhelming feelings of guilt and shame. 

Treatments:

Food addiction recovery can include weight loss, but that’s not always the right approach. To treat the root cause of this condition, experts recommend approaching it like a binge eating disorder. CBT and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) are popular treatments for food addiction.48

Shopping Addiction

Between 1.8-16% of adults in the United States have a shopping addiction,49 also called compulsive buying.

Causes:

Several co-occurring conditions are common for people with shopping addiction:50

Effects:

Excessive shopping impacts more than your mental health.51 It can also have serious external consequences:

  • Debt
  • Legal issues
  • Relationship problems

Treatments:

Rehab for shopping addiction usually focuses on talk therapy. Data supports CBT and group therapy52 as helpful treatments for this condition.

Pornography Addiction

Like any other behavioral addiction, excessive pornography use can be very serious. But we don’t yet understand the scope of the issue in the United States. That’s partly because news sources commonly circulate false statistics about online pornography.53 

Causes:

Porn addiction is more likely54 for people with certain characteristics:

  • Male
  • Younger age
  • Religious
  • Novelty-seeking

It’s also more common among people who spend a lot of time online. 

Effects:

One study links excessive porn use with anxiety,55 depression, and sexual dysfunction. Porn addiction might cause these symptoms, or vice versa. Porn use also affects relationships.56 This condition can make it easier to objectify your partner. Over time, that disconnect can drive a wedge between you. 

Treatments:

Most rehabs for porn addiction offer several types of therapy. However, researchers say that CBT “might be the most effective technique57 for such patients addicted to pornography.” Some people also attend 12-Step groups like Porn Addicts Anonymous.

To learn more about treatment options for various addictions, search our collection of rehabs to take virtual tours, read reviews, see pricing, and more, and reach out to centers directly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Common Addictions in the U.S.

What are the most common addictions in the United States?

The most common addictions in the U.S. include alcohol addiction, opioid addiction, marijuana addiction, cocaine addiction, methamphetamine addiction, gambling addiction, internet and gaming addiction, food addiction, shopping addiction, and pornography addiction.

What are the causes of alcohol addiction?

Genetic predisposition, a family history of alcohol abuse, co-occurring mental health issues, easy availability of alcohol, and social pressure to drink can all contribute to problem drinking.

How is opioid addiction treated?

Rehabs typically treat opioid addiction through a combination of medications (such as methadone) and talk therapy. Medications help alleviate cravings, while therapy addresses the underlying psychological factors that led to the addiction in the first place.

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The Signs of Drug Use in Teens

Drug use in teens is an increasing problem in the U.S. It’s important to recognize the signs of drug use in order to intervene and help teens struggling with addiction. Common signs of drug use in teens include changes in behavior, including mood swings, attitudes, and school performance. Additionally, physical signs can include red eyes, changes in sleep patterns, and changes in physical appearance. Finally, teens with drug addiction may show signs of financial or legal trouble, including stealing money or getting into trouble with the law.

If your child is using drugs, this recovery journey you’re about to embark on can not only help your teen, but it can also make your whole family grow closer. Getting teen treatment can set your child on the path to success. 

Signs, Symptoms, and Behaviors of Drug Use in Teens

If you know what to look for, you can discover if your teen is using drugs or drinking alcohol. Be on the lookout for these signs:

Changes in mood:

  • Irritable
  • Withdrawn
  • Unable to focus
  • Depressed or hyperactive

Changes in appearance:

  • Unkempt appearance
  • Bloodshot eyes
  • Flushed cheeks

Changes in behavior:

  • Sneaking out
  • Secretive about their phone or their whereabouts
  • Missing school or work
  • Hanging out with a new crowd of friends

How to Spot Drug Use in Teens

If you have a hunch your kid is using drugs, but you want to be sure, there are some things you can do to get a better idea of the situation:

  • Have eye contact conversations, and see if their eyes are bloodshot.
  • Smell for smoke.
  • Pay attention to their emotional state, this may be out of the norm.
  • Go through their belongings: This can be a sensitive topic. Giving your children the privacy they deserve is important, but if you are concerned about your teen’s safety and well being due to possible drug use, you may want to consider this option.

Teen Drug Use Statistics

 According to the National Institute on Drug Use, since the start of COVID-19, reported drug use has decreased1. This is likely due to school closure and social distancing (i.e. less peer pressure). Luckily, the downward trend has continued through the last couple of years; however, substance use still poses a threat.

The Most Commonly Used Drugs Amongst Teens

The most commonly used drugs reported in 2022 were nicotine/vaping, cannabis/marijuana, and alcohol. (Keep in mind that these are only the reported statistics. More teens likely use these substances and just don’t report it.)

  • 20.5% of 10th graders vaped
  • 19.5% of 10th graders ingested cannabis
  • 15.2% – 31.3% of 10th graders drank alcohol

While this downward trend provides some hope, research findings show dramatic and rising death rates in youth between the ages of 14-18. 

Also, it’s important to know that fentanyl, amongst other dangerous players, has contaminated the U.S. and worldwide drug supply2. This substance is extremely potent, meaning even the tiniest drop can make the user overdose. Fentanyl could be found in drugs like cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), and heroin because it’s cheaper to cut these drugs with fentanyl than sell the pure substance.

Educating yourself on these dangers, and knowing how to help your child, is crucial for prevention, awareness, and recovery if/when needed.

Reasons Why Teens Use Drugs

Each teen has their reasons for using drugs. Here are some common factors that can push them to experiment.

  1. Peer Pressure: Being a teenager is hard, and they just want to fit in with their peers. If their best friend, or someone they admire, offers them drugs or alcohol, they’ll likely take it to feel accepted. 
  2. Media: TV shows, movies, and especially social media nowadays can show drug use as glamorous, normal, or fun. This can appeal to impressionable teens.
  3. Self-Medication: Mental health issues start to pop up around adolescence, and some teens may see the escape of drugs as a way to avoid these complex feelings.
  4. Experimentation: Teens are curious and ready to try new things, especially as they start to gain some freedom.
  5. To Feel Grown Up: Wanting to be a grownup and assert their independence can lead them to drinking or doing drugs.

Find Help for Teen Drug Use

So you’ve had the conversation with your teen about their drug or alcohol use. Now is the time to start gathering resources on how to help them.

  1. Gather Information: Begin by browsing programs for teens. Think through what you want to get out of this experience—for your child and your family. You may want to look for gender-specific care. These programs address hardships that boys and girls uniquely experience by giving them tools to face uncomfortable emotions and experiences. Gender-specific care also helps them focus on treatment without distractions. 
  1. Engage in Family Therapy: Family therapy will likely be an important part of the recovery process, for your teen and your whole family. Addiction education for loved ones is usually offered with this, as well. This gives clarity on your teen’s journey with substances and recovery. So when your child comes home after treatment, everyone will have the skills they need to maintain a healthy recovery environment.
  1. Be Supportive: Most importantly, be a rock for your child. They’re likely going through a confusing time, so having your support will make this process easier and improve their chances of success.
  1. Make Sure You Have Support: Give yourself grace through this journey. Helping your child through addiction recovery can be emotionally draining. You will have support from medical professionals, but other family members or friends can also provide support in this process. 

4A. Remember to prioritize your own self-care. Engage in activities that bring you joy and practice stress-reducing techniques.
As your kids grow older and start making their own decisions, you can act as a compassionate guide and lead by example. What you do from here on out is what matters most. A bright future awaits for your child with the right teen treatment.

find help for teen drug use
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What Is The Most Addictive Drug?

The most addictive drug varies from person to person. Some genetic mutations make certain drugs more addictive than others. Or, you might find yourself drawn to a seemingly “less addictive” drug, like nicotine, that feels just as powerful as a narcotic. 

With that said, scientists have narrowed down a few of the top addictive drugs. Their addictive potential comes from reactions, communications, and changes in the brain. 

But for each addictive drug, you have resources for recovery. You can speak with your care team to decide which route of treatment works best for you—like going to rehab. 

Heroin

Heroin comes from certain poppy plants. As an opioid, heroin is highly addictive and can change the structure of your brain1 over time. It usually comes from South America. Dealers often cut heroin with starches, sugars, or sedatives—some of which can have unpredictable and unwanted effects. 

Pure heroin looks like a white powder and tastes bitter. Impure heroin is called “black tar” for its sticky feel and dark color (from impurities). 

You can snort powdered heroin or smoke it. For black tar heroin, you can inject it into your veins or muscles once it’s been dissolved and diluted.

Heroin absorbs into mucous membranes in your nose and lungs—or, if you inject it intravenously, it dissolves directly into your bloodstream. 

Once ingested, heroin bonds to mu-opioid receptors in your brain and activates them2, which turns off GABAergic neurons. GABAergic neurons keep dopamine from rushing along your reward circuit. Once the opioid receptor turns GABAergic neurons off, dopamine runs free, which causes a rush of euphoria and a strong sense of general well-being. 

Activating the reward system like this tells your brain opioids are about as great as it gets. Add in the distressing withdrawal symptoms, and getting more can feel like an urgent need. And as you keep taking heroin, you’ll need higher doses to feel the same high as your first time2—which means you’ve built up a tolerance. 

Much of heroin’s danger lies in this rapid high-low pendulum swing.  Soon, you might need high doses to keep from feeling sick. Trying to chase your first high, you might accidentally overdose. 

Taking too much could cause your breathing to slow to null3. You might also feel constipated, nauseous, and extremely itchy. Long-term use can knock your neuronal and hormonal systems off balance4—sometimes permanently. 

Alcohol

As a depressant, alcohol suppresses the central nervous system. And, alcohol is both socially accepted and easy to get—a tricky combination. Alcohol causes a sense of happiness and well-being5, which activates your brain’s reward system. It sees alcohol as medicine and, eventually, as something you inherently need to survive. 

Because of its addictive nature and easy access, alcohol is one of the most dangerous substances to abuse6. Over half the visits to emergency rooms have something to do with alcohol. It’s also one of the 2 most-used substances, the other being nicotine. 

Different alcoholic drinks have different levels, or percentages, of alcohol. For example, an alcoholic seltzer drink is usually 5-8% alcohol; in something like vodka, the rate goes up to 40%. 

As with illicit drugs, you can build a tolerance to alcohol. So, you might need to add a splash of vodka to your seltzer or have an extra glass of wine to feel how you’re used to feeling on alcohol. The longer this continues, the more you’ll need to drink. 

Withdrawals include insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and seizures. For many, safely detoxing from alcohol requires medical supervision. 

Nicotine

Nicotine, like many other drugs, causes a release of dopamine7. But with nicotine, the rush isn’t quite as intense as something like heroin. Nicotine has such addictive power because of its repetitive nature7 and because you can use it with other activities (and substances). 

Smoking a cigarette or vaping can enhance the pleasure of other activities7, like watching a movie, partying, having a cup of coffee, or listening to music. Even though nicotine only adds to these activities, your brain still associates it as the source of joy in those situations. And so, you learn to keep smoking, subconsciously chasing satisfaction.

What used to be fun and motivating might seem boring or too mundane without the added boost from nicotine, so stopping can be challenging7. You might even feel like nothing’s enjoyable without smoking. That’s because nicotine represses your natural dopamine-release functions, and once they’ve been suppressed for so long, it can take time for your brain to adjust and provide its own. 

Though unpleasant, nicotine withdrawals won’t hurt you8. You may have a bad headache and experience cravings. You might also feel more anxious and hungry. But all withdrawal symptoms pass with time. 

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, or benzos, subdue the central nervous system. They’re usually prescribed to help with anxiety, panic disorders, and insomnia9 for their calming, sedative effects. But benzos can also be highly addictive.

Some benzodiazepines can cause dependence faster than others. But usually, people use them with another drug9 to balance or complement other effects. Alcohol and benzos, for example, produce an enhanced calm but can dangerously suppress the central nervous system.

The benzodiazepine Rohypnol, AKA roofies, acts as a powerful sedative. Some misuse benzos like Rohypnol against others. But usually, benzodiazepines appeal for their countering effects against opioids and for self-sedation.

Benzodiazepine withdrawals9 can feel extremely uncomfortable. You could experience nightmares, anxiety, insomnia, psychosis, hyperpyrexia (extremely high fever), and convulsions. For those reasons, detoxing under medical supervision is a safer option. 

Methamphetamines

Doctors may prescribe the psychostimulant methamphetamine, or metamfetamine, to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)10. In healthy doses (for those who need it), methamphetamine’s effects resemble the brain’s fight-or-flight response10. This response  increases energy, alertness, and focus. But it’s also a drug of abuse with a high potential for addiction.

Methamphetamine looks like a white powder11 or crystal-like rocks. It’s relatively easy to make and cheap to buy. Many pseudo-scientists make methamphetamine in discreet labs, usually hidden off the beaten path.  But most meth comes from larger labs in Mexico and overseas countries. 

Methamphetamine releases dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine10, which contribute to pleasure, satisfaction, and alertness. Using methamphetamine for pleasure can cause binges, since the desired effects only last a few minutes. And because meth is one of the cheaper stimulants and easy to get, feeding the binges might not seem like a problem. 

But, as with other drugs, your brain changes with repeated doses. You might build up a tolerance12, prompting higher doses. Your brain may also stop producing dopamine and serotonin on its own. 

Methamphetamine withdrawals12 can cause cravings, depression, anxiety, violent behavior, confusion, insomnia, hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis. 

Cocaine

Cocaine is another highly addictive stimulant13. It’s also one of the most common illicit drugs14 in America. 

Cocaine prevents the reuptake of dopamine14, meaning dopamine stacks up on dopamine receptors. This sends an intense rush of pleasure and stimulates the entire reward pathway15, causing your brain to see cocaine use as intrinsically rewarding. Even the sights, sounds, and places associated with cocaine use can trigger the need for a dose. 

As with many other drugs, you can become used to the effects of cocaine, or “tolerant”. You’ll need more and more to feel the same high as your first time. This puts you at risk for an overdose. New dangers also lie in adding vermisol to cocaine15, which is used as a cutting agent. Sometimes, fentanyl even makes its way in. 

The withdrawals from cocaine16 include insomnia, tremors, cravings, and hyperactivity. 

Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine is a smokeable version of regular cocaine17. So it’s also a stimulant, and addictive, but even more potent due to how it’s ingested. Before it’s smoked, crack cocaine looks like small rocks or crystals. 

The membranes in your lungs absorb crack cocaine18 easily and quickly, resulting in an almost immediate high. The high goes away faster than powder or liquid cocaine, which could prompt a binge—smoking until you run out of crack or money.  

The reinforcing action is even more powerful in crack cocaine17. Your brain thinks it’s a good idea to keep having more more often, trying to realize the pleasure it knows crack can give.

Barbiturates

Similar to benzodiazepines, barbiturates are a depressant19 generally used for anxiety, headaches, seizure prevention, and insomnia. Those who misuse this prescribed medication usually do to counter the effects of other drugs—typically stimulants like cocaine.

You can take barbiturates as a pill or liquid. Barbiturates make you feel sleepy, relaxed, and at ease19. They can also impair your memory and judgment, and make you irritable. You might also feel paranoid and suicidal.  

Overdosing on barbiturates19 causes your heart rate to rise, your breathing to slow, and your body temperature to lower. Overdoses can also cause comas and death.  

Methadone

Doctors prescribe methadone, a synthetic opioid20, to treat opioid use disorders (OUDs). It relieves cravings, reduces withdrawal symptoms, and doesn’t provide the same “rush” of euphoria as other opioids. At the correct dosage, these factors make methadone a valuable treatment element20 for OUDs. 

Part of what makes methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) effective is the low risk for addiction. And, in MMT, you don’t have to share needles or risk taking heroin, cocaine, etc., of unknown purity20. Doctor oversight adds another element of safety. 

But methadone does have an addictive element. The usual dose for OUD management ranges from 60+mgs20. Sometimes, patients in treatment buy extra doses from others or hoard doses to eventually get a euphoric effect from methadone. 

Taking too much methadone can cause dangerous effects, especially if you’re on other medications. Signs and symptoms of an overdose20 include dizziness, slurred speech, unconsciousness, slow pulse, shallow breathing, tiny pupils, and frothing at the mouth. 

Naloxone reverses the overdose effects of methadone20, as it does with other opioids. 

Marijuana

Marijuana, or weed, comes from the marijuana plant. Its addictive psychoactive properties lie in the THC21 (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) in marijuana. You can ingest marijuana in many ways21—smoking the leaves, drinking it in tea, eating foods with weed, and smoking concentrated weed in the form of a sticky resin.

Weed produces a sense of relaxation22 and a milder feeling of euphoria. Weed can also make you pretty hungry (or, give you the munchies) and laugh easily. You’ll experience these effects right away if you smoke weed. 

Eating it slows the onset by a half hour or more, which could prompt you to redose, thinking it’s not working. Taking too much can cause anxiety, fear, paranoia, and panic22—the opposite of what weed usually feels like. Extremely high doses can even cause acute psychosis.  

Marijuana activates the reward system23 in your brain, causing a flood of dopamine to course along your reward pathway. After continued use, your brain teaches you to keep having weed as a way to feel reward and satisfaction. Continued usage can also impair your memory, learning abilities, and balance23.

Starting weed at a young age leads to a higher risk of addiction24. But anyone at any age can find themselves addicted, meaning they’d feel withdrawal symptoms and be completely unable to stop—even when they know they should. In states that don’t monitor distribution, the potency of THC continues to rise too. This creates consequences scientists and health professionals haven’t fully realized yet. 

But for each substance and its potential for addiction, you have opportunities to recover. 

Find Effective Drug Addiction Treatment Near You

The most addictive drug could vary widely from person to person. While you can’t stop smoking cigarettes, someone else might not feel able to stop drinking—but drinking isn’t a problem for you. 

Fortunately, treatment for drug addiction caters to this variance. You can get the care you need at a residential rehab, outpatient facility, or detox unit. Your care team can help you decide which type and level of care will best meet your needs. 
To see a comprehensive collection of rehab facilities, you can browse our list of drug addiction rehabs to see photos, prices, reviews, insurance information, and more.

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Can Withdrawal Kill You?

Without proper care, the withdrawal symptoms from certain substances could kill you. A symptom this extreme depends on what you’ve been taking, how much, and how long you’ve been taking it. 

Not every drug has dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Some, though extremely uncomfortable, won’t hurt you. But alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opiates have the potential to be deadly.

After discussing your situation with your doctor or care team, you might decide to detox in a licensed, medically monitored detox environment. Many rehab centers with detox offer just this. 

What Causes Withdrawal Symptoms?

Your brain and body get used to drugs or alcohol and adapt to work around them. Once you stop taking substances, your body has to adjust to life without them. So, you experience withdrawal symptoms as your body returns to homeostasis1. Though the change is arguably good, your body still has to adjust—which might not feel good at all. 

If you’ve become highly dependent, stopping becomes dangerous. In those cases, you can seek treatment in a detox center or a residential rehab with detox. Detox centers treat non-life-threatening withdrawal symptoms too. Your comfort and safety both matter. 

Withdrawals vary across the different types of drugs and substances. Some pose no threat. Others require careful supervision. 

Alcohol Withdrawal

Detoxing from alcohol2 could be dangerous. The level of danger, and general symptom intensity, depends on how much you drink and how long you’ve been drinking. 

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms2 could include 

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Shaking
  • Delirium tremens (DT)
  • Insomnia
  • Hallucinations
  • Extreme confusion
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Excessive, purposeless activity (getting in and out of bed, wandering around)
  • Anxiety
  • Grand mal seizures

Delirium tremens commonly affect those with a long history of drinking. DT’s symptoms3 include “profound confusion, autonomic hyperactivity, and cardiovascular collapse.” It’s rare, but needs to be caught as soon as possible to avoid danger. 

The other symptoms of alcohol detox may feel gross, but don’t tend to be life-threatening—especially under the supervision of doctors and nurses. Then, medications like Antabuse can help you stay sober4 in recovery.

Opiate Withdrawal

Opioid withdrawals can feel like a bad flu5, or the sickest you’ve felt in your entire life. Typically, though, it’s not one of the withdrawals that can kill you. The severity of symptoms depends on your dose and how long you’ve been taking opioids. 

The discomfort of opiate withdrawals can make you crave opioids even more. For many, temptations to alleviate the pain can cause a relapse5. Detoxing in a residential setting could help you avoid this in your early days of recovery.

During your opioid detox period, you might experience

  • Diarrhea
  • Dysphoria
  • Goosebumps
  • Restless legs
  • Muscle pains
  • Dizziness
  • Insomnia
  • Malaise
  • High heart rate

Dehydration can cause death during opioid withdrawals6, caused by excessive vomiting and diarrhea. This catastrophic effect usually happens in jails, where prompt (and sufficient) medical care isn’t as common. 

Medications can curb the effects of opioid withdrawals7. For opioid detox, your doctor may prescribe methadone, buprenorphine, clonidine, and lofexidine. Each operates in different ways to diminish cravings and make withdrawals more comfortable. You can continue to take these medications to maintain your sobriety.

Heroin Withdrawal

As a short-acting opioid, heroin’s withdrawals typically set in 8-24 hours after your last dose7. They can last 4-10 days. 

Heroin’s withdrawal symptoms mimic a very bad flu. Turning to opioid-agonists, like methadone, can help you taper off high doses and maintain sobriety. Methadone relieves cravings and discomfort without the euphoric rush of heroin and other opioids8, making it non-addictive at the proper dose. 

And, using a maintenance medication like methadone reduces the risk of relapse by satisfying cravings8. This can also prevent HIV and infections caused by needle sharing—and, largely, relapse in general. 

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

Depending on your dose and length of use, benzodiazepine withdrawals can be life threatening. Benzos treat anxiety and sleep disorders5 but could become addictive if used too long. Detoxing from benzos presents several dangers.

Benzo withdrawals resemble alcohol withdrawals5, which have a death risk. For that reason, you’ll likely need to detox in a medically monitored setting, like a hospital or residential rehab. Here’s what you might experience during benzodiazepine detox9:

  • Seizures
  • Muscle pains
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Restlessness
  • Agitation
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Hand tremors
  • Excessive sweating
  • Heart palpitations
  • Catatonia
  • Death

Withdrawal symptoms usually begin 2-10 days after your last dose and can last 2-8 weeks. You can manage the symptoms by gradually weaning off benzodiazepines5, which gives your body time to adjust to lower doses. Going cold turkey, or stopping all at once, could cause psychosis, death, seizures, and convulsions10.  

Withdrawing From Multiple Substances

There’s limited research on detoxing from multiple substances. But, the available research shows each drug needs its own attention during detox11. For example, detoxing from a stimulant and a depressant at the same time requires a more nuanced approach. So, physicians may prescribe 2 withdrawal medications to combat the effects of multiple substances. 

Withdrawing from multiple substances has its challenges, but it’s not uncommon. A study found 71% of patients in detox were withdrawing from 2 or more substances11. Your care provider will make the ultimate decision regarding any medications you’ll need during detox and how the process might look for you. 

Getting Treatment for Withdrawal Symptoms

At best, detoxing might feel uncomfortable. At worst, it could kill you. But for each end of the detoxing spectrum, you have treatment options. 

For many withdrawal symptoms, you may need the help and care of a detox center. Or, a residential rehab with a detox program. In a center like this, you can begin therapeutic residential treatment right after detoxing.
To see your options, you can browse our list of rehabs with detox that includes pricing, photos, insurance information, and more.