Alcohol Detox At Home: Is It Safe?
Typically, performing alcohol detox at home is not advised. There are plenty of medical risks associated with detoxing from alcohol and when you’re at home, you’re not typically prepared to undertake those risks.
Additionally, detoxing from alcohol can be an incredibly difficult process. The withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol are some of the most severe of any substance and can be incredibly dangerous. If you’re looking to end your addiction to alcohol, a detox is a great start.
Going through detox will help you rid your body of those toxic substances that are causing withdrawals and making it difficult for you to stop drinking. Before determining if an alcohol detox at home is safe for you, learn more about alcohol dependency and what options you have to detox.
What Is the Fastest Way to Remove Alcohol From Your System?
The fastest way to remove alcohol from your system is through a process called detoxification, or detox. Detox involves ridding your body of the toxins associated with alcohol abuse, including the alcohol itself. This can be done through various methods, but the most common and effective method is to seek professional help at an inpatient detox center.
As stated earlier, detoxing from alcohol on your own at home is not recommended. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be severe and even life-threatening, so it’s important to have medical professionals on hand to help you through the process. If you’re set on detoxing at home, there are some things you can do to make the process a bit easier on yourself, but it’s still not going to be easy.
How Long Does it Take to Clear Alcohol From My System?
The amount of time it takes for alcohol to clear your system depends on a variety of factors, including your age, weight, body fat percentage, and how much you’ve been drinking. Generally speaking, alcohol can stay in your system for up to 24 hours. However, if you’re a heavy drinker, it could take a few days for all the alcohol to leave your system.
The most important thing is that you stop drinking. This in itself is often the hardest task. Anyone suffering from alcohol withdrawal will have a difficult time stopping drinking alone. Consider getting professional help if you find that you can’t stop on your own.
What is the Best Way to Stop Drinking?
If you want to stop drinking on your own you should :
- Set boundaries and limits for yourself and stick to them.
- Avoid situations where you’re more likely to drink, such as at parties or bars.
- Make sure you have plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available so you to find yourself making excuses for your drinking.
- If you do slip up and find yourself drinking, don’t beat yourself up about it. Just try again the next day.
If you find that you can’t stop drinking on your own, several professional resources can help. You can try 12-step meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous or call a professional treatment center. They can help you understand why feel the need to compulsively drink. You should feel bad reaching out if you need help.
What Do You Go through When You Stop Drinking?
Most people who go through alcohol withdrawal experience some combination of the following symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Muscle aches and pains
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Tremors
These symptoms typically peak a few days after you stop drinking and then gradually improve. However, some people may experience chronic anxiety, depression, or insomnia that can last for weeks or even months. These more severe symptoms are more common in people with a long history of heavy drinking. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek professional help.
How Long Does Alcohol Withdrawal Last?
The length of alcohol withdrawal varies from person to person. For most people, symptoms peak within a few days and then gradually improve over the next week or so. However, some people may experience more severe symptoms that can last for weeks or even months.
How Do I Detox from Alcohol at Home?
If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, it’s important to seek professional help. However, if you’re determined to detox on your own, there are a few things you can do to make the process easier.
First, get rid of all the alcohol in your house. This includes any bottles of wine, beer, or liquor, as well as any empty containers. It might also be helpful to get rid of anything that reminds you of drinking, such as barware or even photos that show you and various friends drinking.
Second, it’s important to have a support system in place. This could be family or friends who can check in on you and make sure you’re doing okay. It’s also important to have a plan in place for dealing with any cravings or withdrawal symptoms you may experience.
If you’re detoxing from alcohol at home, you should also make sure to eat healthy meals and drink plenty of fluids. This will help your body recover from the effects of alcohol and make the detox process go more smoothly. Finally, it’s important to get plenty of rest. Alcohol can take a toll on your body, so it’s important to give yourself time to recover.
To be safe, you should research professional detox places nearby that you can reach out to if you end up needing the extra support. You may feel confident that you can recover from alcohol detox at home, but when your withdrawals start to get overwhelming you may change your mind.
Find a reputable facility that you can trust. LUNA Recovery offers alcohol detox services through our medical detox program. We can provide you with medications to manage your withdrawal symptoms so you’re comfortable throughout the entire process. This can make world of difference.
Consider the Dangers of Self-Detox First
Simply put, deciding to perform an alcohol detox at home is dangerous. Consider these risks before determining whether this is the right choice for you.
- Potential for symptoms that can be deadly like heart failure or delirium tremens
- No medical attention if a complication arises, which you may not recognize
- No medical intervention for difficult withdrawal symptoms
- Overall low rate of success
- Difficult to stick to and avoid alcohol use triggers
Alcohol detox can be uncomfortable and even painful. Medications can help manage these symptoms and make them more bearable by attending an alcohol detox facility. If you have any other underlying health conditions, detoxing at home can put you at risk. Alcohol withdrawal can worsen existing mental health conditions.
There are many risks associated with alcohol detox, which is why it’s best to detox under medical supervision. If you are considering alcohol detox at home, we urge you to reconsider and give us a call. We can help you through this challenging experience.
What is the Next Step After Alcohol Detox?
Whether you decide to go through with an alcohol detox at home or seek professional help you will need to take some next steps afterward to prevent yourself from drinking. These steps may include attending therapy, getting a sponsor, and attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings.
In many cases of alcohol addiction, people often need to find a more long-term solution to stay away from alcohol. Many treatment programs can help you work through issues surrounding your alcohol consumption. At LUNA Recovery we offer both inpatient and outpatient treatment options to help people recover from alcohol addiction.
If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, inpatient treatment may be the right step for you. Inpatient treatment provides 24-hour medical care and supervision in a safe and secure environment. This type of treatment is especially beneficial if you’ve been drinking heavily over time or if you’ve relapsed after trying to quit on your own.
During inpatient treatment, you will participate in individual and group therapy sessions. You will also have the opportunity to attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings and other 12-step meetings. After completing inpatient treatment, you will work with your therapist to develop a discharge plan. This plan may include continuing to see a therapist on an outpatient basis or attending a sober living facility.
Outpatient treatment for alcohol addiction is less intensive than inpatient treatment. In most cases, it involves meeting with a therapist one to two times per week. You may also participate in group therapy sessions and attend AA meetings. Outpatient treatment is a good option if you have a strong support system at home and you’re able to abstain from drinking alcohol with minimal support.
Contact LUNA Recovery Today to Learn About Our Alcohol Detox Program
Alcohol detox is difficult. Overcoming alcohol addiction is even more difficult. At LUNA Recovery in Texas, we understand addiction and how to treat individuals for long-term recovery. We offer a variety of treatment options to help people understand the underlying conditions that led to addiction and how to prevent relapse.
Contact us today to find relief from alcohol abuse. We can help you start a new chapter in your life free from alcohol addiction!
Dr. Allaire received his Bachelors of Science in Biology from the University of Houston, as Valedictorian of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and his Medical Doctorate from Baylor College of Medicine, where he served as Chief Resident. He is the medical monitor for the Physician Counseling Committee of the Harris County Medical Society and the Medical Director of Serenity House Detox. Dr. Allaire specializes in medically assisted detox cases, treating patients in recovery from addiction or other mental health disorders, the medical assessment and monitoring of patients with addictive disorders, medical care related to eating disorders and the medical treatment of patients with mental health conditions.
