This can take from two days to several months, depending on the severity of your problem and the drugs being abused. Many people believe that, once they go through detox, they are free of the drugs. This is not true. You may no longer have the physical symptoms of dependence, but the psychological dependence is still there. Treatment involves learning how to overcome the psychological dependence associated with drug abuse.
Treatment is done over a longer period of time, usually a month to a year.
Of course, treatment is highly recommended and is really the only long-term solution to this problem. The best source of treatment is a good inpatient treatment facility. Once you are released from the center, you should continue your treatment program by getting a sponsor and attending Narcotics Anonymous regularly. Of course, treatment centers vary, but the same course of action is usually prescribed. The first several days will be the hardest, especially if you are detoxing.