Tracing the timeline of drug detox is not as simple. The specific type of drug you are detoxing from will largely determine the timeline, though the symptoms are generally the same.  Short-acting opioids, like heroin and some prescription painkillers, often cause withdrawals that last between 4 to 10 days but the symptoms start within 8 hours after your last use. Longer-acting opioids, such as methadone, cause withdrawal symptoms for up to 10 days, but the symptoms don’t begin until 2 to 4 days after the last use. Benzodiazepines often have the most severe detox timeline. Withdrawal often begins 1 to 4 days after the last use, but it peaks in severity during the first two weeks after your last use. Withdrawal can be troublesome for months and even years if you do not receive proper treatment. The most common symptoms of drug withdrawal include: Nausea Diarrhea  Bone pain  Muscle pain  High temperature  Fatigue  Restlessness  Headaches  Sweating  Heart palpitations  Shaking