Alcohol Detox at Home: Risks and Safety Concerns
Many people suffering from addiction consider alcohol detox at home as an alternative to medical treatment programs, without factoring in the potential risks associated with such practices. Both options can be safe and have a positive effect on a patient’s outcomes if one stays under the supervision of a healthcare professional. In this guide, we will examine in-home treatment in detail and outline the factors to consider when addressing withdrawal effects.
What Is Alcohol Detox at Home?
The term describes practices followed by those who want to become free of alcohol dependence. Alcohol detox at home is typically embraced by individuals who do not suffer from severe symptoms and do not have co-occurring conditions that would make hospitalization the only option to consider.
Withdrawing from alcohol requires one to have a reliable group of support, including friends and family members, willing to provide assistance. When you do not live in a safe environment, you can choose a suitable housing program for people suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD) or enroll in rehab centers.
During the initial stage, a person might face different conditions, including seizures and delirium tremens (DT). Taking prescribed medications helps ease discomfort. The guidance of specialists is highly recommended.
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Medical Detox vs Alcohol Detox at Home: Main Differences
Until recently, it was required to stay at a hospital when participating in detox programs. This allowed patients to adjust to a healthier lifestyle and to address issues such as increased heart rate and blood pressure effectively. Besides, this helped doctors minimize seizures.
When staying in a hospital, patients can avoid unnecessary complications and handle symptoms efficiently. However, individuals with low and mild dependence wonder, “Is it safe to detox from alcohol at home?” These days, such programs have become more common. They are considered safe as long as one schedules regular doctor visits. Addiction specialists teach patients how to monitor their condition and take medication. Nonetheless, for patients with AUD, inpatient treatment remains the best option.
When Home Alcohol Detox Is Safe
Many individuals have successfully completed detox without staying in a hospital or other specialized facility. Alcohol detox at home can be allowed by a healthcare specialist if you agree to follow the specific recommendations.
The answer to the question “Can you detox from alcohol at home?” depends on multiple factors:
- You have a safe living environment and supportive relatives.
- You are ready to make medical appointments and take the prescribed medications.
- No history of significant substance abuse in the recent past.
- No physical or mental health disorders.
People who are having suicidal thoughts, take benzodiazepines, or have a history of DTs associated with withdrawal have to agree on inpatient treatment programs to avoid relapsing.
Risks Associated with Alcohol Detox at Home
Before choosing alcohol detox at home, estimate the potential complications associated with this decision. Nobody should ever consider detoxing without the guidance of a doctor. People with moderate and severe degrees of alcohol addiction face issues they won’t be able to solve on their own. The most perilous developments include:
- DTs. They cause confusion and perceptual disturbances. When left untreated, they might result in death.
- Seizures. Such complications commonly occur within 24–48 hours after stopping drinking. They often lead to dangerous outcomes.
- Dehydration. A person may start vomiting or sweating profusely. The condition is often associated with kidney issues and has a long-term effect on health.
Individuals should be aware of these risks when choosing between the available treatment options if they want to stay safe.
Symptoms To Deal With During Alcohol Detox at Home
When a person starts drinking regularly, their body adjusts to the effects of the substance they consume. After deciding to abstain from booze, many patients experience unpleasant alcohol withdrawal symptoms. They may differ depending on a person’s prior history of drinking and concurrent health problems.
- Initial issues. Within the first 2 hours, a person may become extremely anxious and agitated, experience headaches and mood swings, sweat too much, or feel nauseated. Tremors and distorted sleep patterns also manifest at this stage.
- Seizures and hallucinations. These commonly occur within the first 12–24 hours. They can last for up to 2 days. Seizures can lead to death. This is why doctors typically ask patients about the severity of their symptoms to understand whether their condition warrants hospitalization.
- Delirium tremens. After the first 48 hours, one may start experiencing DTs and start feeling shaky and confused. The condition may cause extreme disorientation, high temperature, increased blood pressure, and high heartbeat.
The common advice is to avoid the DT stage when trying to detox from alcohol at home. A doctor should monitor a patient’s symptoms and prescribe medication to prevent the most severe signs from manifesting fully.
The most dangerous withdrawal phase starts around 5 days after a person has the last drink. Even though the symptoms that manifest in the first few days are the most serious, individuals may still experience some of them for several weeks. Stay in touch with professionals and slowly decrease the prescribed medications to ease the transition to life without AUD.
How to Secure Your Alcohol Detoxification at Home
Even though symptoms are quite dangerous, there is still a way to go through an alcohol detox at home without getting hospitalized.
Book an appointment with a doctor to undergo an assessment, get a treatment plan, and discuss potential complications. A blood test will allow them to assess your liver function and check nutrient levels. An honest discussion of your drinking patterns will help a specialist to understand which strategy to choose and what symptoms you are likely to have. A doctor will prescribe medications and provide instructions on how often you need to take them. Besides, you will be advised on getting medical intervention.
Consider your drinking habits. Keep a diary and write down the date and time that you start having cravings. Describe what factors may have provoked your desire to consume booze, and try registering the emotions you had. This step enables individuals to increase awareness of their habits and understand how to avoid triggers and achieve recovery.
Contact a doctor in the case of emergency. Even if you choose alcohol detox at home, you still might need hospitalization if medication does not reduce DTs, you experience repeated vomiting, lose consciousness, or your hallucinations intensify. Be sure to monitor your blood pressure and heart rate at all times.
It’s recommended to remove alcohol from a person’s home during addiction treatment. Staying hydrated and following a healthy diet will help you succeed. Most individuals take time off work to focus on building the necessary skills for coping with cravings. Eating nutritious food is also necessary to stay healthy and avoid becoming malnourished. Joining a support group allows patients to get aid from their peers and learn how to develop healthier coping strategies.
This can be a difficult journey, but you don’t have to go it alone. Let us be your guide and provide you the environment needed to regain control of your life and begin the path to recovery.
Moving Toward a Healthy Lifestyle
When done in the right way, alcohol detox at home can be efficient. After that, one should join support groups and schedule consulting sessions with a psychologist to minimize the possibility of relapse.
Finding a safe place to stay is also a prerequisite to achieving lasting progress. Eco Sober Houses offer a clean and secure living environment where one can recuperate after undergoing treatment and dealing with the effects of withdrawal. Our clients benefit from a predictable routine, as it allows them to become more self-reliant and prepare themselves to handle life challenges. Get in touch with our managers today and discover a community of peers who will motivate you on your journey.
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