On average, it takes around 14 months for the brain to reach its normal levels with the right treatment and rehabilitation. Detoxification is the first step, which can take several days or weeks, depending on the substances used. While some parts of the brain recover in a few weeks, others may take months or even years to heal. Regular exercise, healthy hydration and diet are essential for the regeneration of brain structure and cells.
Many medications can affect dopamine by either increasing its release or decreasing its elimination. Drugs of abuse such as opioids, alcohol, nicotine, amphetamines and cocaine are known to increase dopamine levels in the brain. Chemical dependence and addiction can cause long-term effects like compulsive drug use. Some medications can physically damage dopamine receptors, leading to long-term problems.
Medical professionals suggest that it takes about 90 days for dopamine recovery. However, drug damage may last longer and require a year or more for dopamine levels and brain cells to recover. In rare cases, some medications can cause permanent damage to the receptors that reabsorb dopamine, preventing the brain from fully recovering. Understanding what caused the damage is key to resolving it.
You may be wondering: how long does it take for neurotransmitters to be restored? How long does it take to heal a trauma that may have long preceded drug use? How long does it take to restore body cells to healthy levels through nutrition and toxin removal? The answer is that there are many factors that determine the speed at which your body and mind will heal. These include how long the medication was used, frequency and dose, quality of diet and nutritional deficiencies, toxic load, any history of unmanaged trauma, the state of the gut microbiota, and many other factors. The time it will take to restore a natural and healthy balance is an individual measure. Motivation to heal can speed up the process significantly and should be stronger than the motivation to continue using drugs.
Appropriate treatment, including neurotransmitter repair, can help balance these problems. Studies have shown that after 14 months of drug withdrawal, levels of dopamine transporter returned to almost normal functionality in cocaine addicts' brains. The same effects were observed in people addicted to alcohol and marijuana. In general, it takes one to two years for most people to recover from addiction.
However, more research is needed in this field as scientists have only just begun to examine the brains of addicts. There are several factors that affect the intensity of withdrawals associated with the release of dopamine that come from alcohol and other drugs. These factors may vary from person to person but generally involve the time it takes to restore dopamine levels to normal and natural levels. It usually takes about 90 days for people to notice a difference with pleasure experiences and dopamine levels.
