The Shocking Truth About How Long It Really Takes Your Brain to Heal After Substance Abuse

We all know substance abuse can trash your body, but have you ever paused to think about what it does to the actual command center—the brain? It’s like giving your smartphone a batterypowered crash diet and expecting it to run flawlessly. Scientists have been poking around this murky topic for ages, trying to decode how alcohol and drugs mess with the intricate brain machinery. And sure, they don’t hit everyone the same way—some folks might think one drink makes them Shakespeare, while others can barely find their shoes. Now, unless you’re the adventurous type prepared to sample 182 different substances (yep, someone actually did — not that I’m handing out recommendations here), understanding those effects firsthand is pretty much out of reach. So, what really goes on upstairs when the fog of substances clears, and more importantly, how long does it take to reclaim that sharp, sparkling brain of yours? Buckle up, because we’re about to unravel the tangled relationship between substance abuse, brain damage, and the journey back to clarity. LEARN MORE

It is well known that substance abuse can have a devastating impact on your body but the brain can also suffer if not given proper time to recover.

Scientists have long studied the impact that alcohol and drugs can have on the brain although, of course, it must be noted that they can affect people in different ways.

Unless you’re willing to follow in the footsteps of the lad who has tried 182 different drugs, which I’m certainly not recommending, you’re never going to get close to understanding the impact that each one will have on you.

How does substance abuse affect your brain?

Dopamine is known as a ‘feel-good’ hormone (Getty Stock Image)

Drugs and alcohol can interfere with the way neurotransmitters (including dopamine) in the brain function, altering the way they send, receive, and process signals.

It’s easy to joke about how alcohol can make you more confident or give you beer goggles but the reality is far scarier, as when the liver can no longer deal with the amount of booze you’re consuming, the brain will be affected with issues such as memory loss.

Heavy alcohol use usually means there is less active healthy brain tissue in someone’s head and sustained use could lead to problems such as dementia in later life.

Stages of recovery and how long it might take

Recovery will look different for everyone (Getty Stock Image)

Researchers have suggested that adolescents who became abstinent from alcohol had significant recovery with respect to behavioural disinhibition and negative emotionality.

Images also showed that a case who went abstinent from drugs for 14 months saw their brain return to nearly normal, with improvement noticeable after just one month without the substance.

Data is limited but the signs of recovery from substance abuse are promising when the following steps are also utilised as part of someone’s path to getting their lives and brains back.

Rosewood Recovery, a specialist rehab centre in America, explains: “As recovery progresses, it generally takes about 90 days for dopamine levels to start their return to normal. This period can vary, however, depending on factors like the severity and duration of alcohol use.”

According to the centre, there are generally four phases of neurological recovery, with time ‘healing’ the brain when someone withdraws from taking drugs or drinking alcohol.

Those stages are:

• Acute withdrawal (one to two weeks) – The person will still have intense cravings and also likely physical discomfort, as the brain begins to stabilise without any substances.
• Early abstinence (one to three months) – The subject should start to see their mood and cognition improve, although the relapse risks remain high at this point in the recovery process.
• Protracted abstinence (three to six months) – Continued healing occurs at this time, with cravings also likely to be weaker and not as often.
• Long-term recovery (six months and beyond) – Notable rewiring of the brain, with improvements in emotional regulation and cognitive clarity.

Rosewood Recovery also suggests four key habits people can engage in to promote healthy brain activity after going sober.

Substance abuse can lead to dark places (Getty Stock Image)

Therapeutic interventions

The first of those is therapeutic interventions, and the centre suggests taking part in engaging therapy sessions including physical, occupational and speech therapy as they can ‘stimulate neuroplasticity and support functional recovery’.

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and adapt throughout life by forming new neural connections and strengthening existing ones.

Exercise

Unsurprisingly, when you’re not spending as much time boozing or doing drugs, it’s easier to wake up in the morning and start running or going to the gym.

And experts say regular exercise is a great way to help the body recover from substance abuse as physical activity promotes brain health and stimulates dopamine production.

It also boosts your recovery as the more you exercise, the more motivated you become, while you’re mood will also improve and perhaps prevent you from returning to the substances.

Nutrition

A balanced diet is also vital to recovery and it’s important to consume brain-healthy snacks rather than ultra-processed foods which can have a serious impact on your body and mind.

Foods which are rich in brain-boosting nutrients can help reduce inflammation and increase overall brain healing.

Yoga and meditation is a great way to aid brain recovery (Getty Stock Image)

Mindfulness

Practising mindfulness through activities such as yoga and meditation might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it helps to reduce stress, another thing that can lead to substance abuse.

It can also support emotional regulation and cognitive clarity during recovery, so it’s definitely worth giving it a go if you’re trying to improve things in your head.

Rosewood Recovery adds: “These habits can aid in normalising dopamine levels more effectively.”

Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.

If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24/7, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week.