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Alcohol Detox at Home: What Are the Risks?

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Alcohol detox is a delicate process that involves managing dangerous withdrawal symptoms. With mild cases of alcohol use disorder, doing an alcohol detox at home might be sufficient. However, for more severe cases of alcoholism, a professional detox center is needed. A healthcare professional can help guide you through attempting to detox from alcohol and drug abuse safely and effectively. Withdrawing from alcohol and drugs is always easier with a detox facility care team at your side. 

What Is Alcohol Detox?

Detox from alcohol is the process of removing alcohol from the body and managing the withdrawal symptoms that occur when someone stops drinking after prolonged or heavy use. It is typically the first step in overcoming alcohol dependence or addiction and is often part of a broader treatment program.

The goal of alcohol detox is to manage withdrawal symptoms while the body eliminates alcohol safely. This helps stabilize the individual physically and mentally for further treatment or recovery.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to potentially deadly, with seizures, hallucinations, and delirium tremens (DTs) in the latter camp. Because alcohol withdrawal can be so dangerous, trying to do alcohol detox at home is a bad idea.

Why Is Alcohol Detox Important?

If you are addicted to alcohol, undergoing detox is critical because it is the only way to save your health and, ultimately, your life. Alcohol withdrawal can cause serious and potentially life-threatening symptoms, such as seizures and delirium tremens (DTs). Do not attempt to detox from alcohol at home – detox under medical supervision ensures safety during this critical phase.

When Does Someone Need Alcohol Detox?

If a person experiences withdrawal symptoms like tremors, sweating, or nausea when not drinking, it indicates physical dependence and the need for detox. If alcohol use has caused significant health problems like liver damage or neurological issues like Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome, it further underlines the need for detox.

Alcohol Abuse Statistics 

Alcohol abuse is a serious problem – around the world and here at home. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol use contributes to 2.6 million deaths annually worldwide. In the US, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 28.9 million Americans experienced alcoholism in 2023. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 21.7% of Americans 12 or older binge drink each month.

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What Happens When Someone Undergoes Alcohol Detox?

Alcohol detox is the process of eliminating alcohol from the body and managing withdrawal symptoms. It involves three primary stages:

 

  1. Evaluation: A healthcare provider assesses the individual’s physical and mental health, drinking history, and withdrawal risk. This helps determine whether detox should occur in a medical facility or if alcohol detox on your own is appropriate for mild cases.
  2. Withdrawal Management: Symptoms of withdrawal begin within 6–12 hours of the last drink. To ease withdrawal, medications, constant hydration, and 24/7 monitoring by professionals are required. None of these are available if you try to get through withdrawal from alcohol at home.
  3. Stabilization: After symptoms of alcohol withdrawal subside, detox focuses on preparing the individual for long-term recovery through therapy, support groups, or treatment programs.

 

This whole process can take anywhere from a week to months – it all depends on the severity of the addiction. Most symptoms of withdrawal subside within a week, though mild symptoms like fatigue, irritability, or restlessness may linger. What can make the stabilization process drag on is the post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) – things like mood swings, cravings, and difficulty sleeping can potentially carry on for months.

 

For those attempting alcohol detox at their house, the timeline is similar. Still, the lack of medical supervision can make the process riskier and more unpredictable, especially if severe symptoms arise. Detoxing at home should only be attempted by individuals with mild to moderate alcohol dependence and after consulting with a healthcare provider.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Symptoms of detox and withdrawal vary in intensity depending on the level of alcohol dependency.

Common symptoms include:

  • Headaches
  • Anxiety
  • Delirium tremens, aka DTs (violent tremors and shakes)
  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Mood changes
  • Gastrointestinal disturbances
  • Heart palpitations
  • Increased blood pressure or heart rate
  • Hyperthermia (i.e., overheated body)
  • Rapid abnormal breathing
  • Hallucinations
  • Seizures

 

Attempting alcohol detox at home without medical support is not recommended for individuals at risk of severe symptoms like DTs.

Is Alcohol Detox at Home Safe? 

Detoxing from alcohol at home can be safe for individuals with mild to moderate alcohol dependency, but it carries significant risks for those with severe alcohol use disorder or underlying health conditions.

The safety of alcohol detox without professional help depends on various factors, including the individual’s medical history, the level of alcohol dependency, and the presence of a support system.

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Professional Medical Detox for Alcohol Addiction 

Seeking help from a professional treatment center for alcohol detox offers a structured, safe, and supportive environment that significantly increases the chances of a successful recovery. Unlike doing alcohol detox at home, professional detox centers provide medical supervision, personalized care, and access to additional therapies that address the physical and psychological aspects of alcohol addiction.

Individualized Treatment Plans

Every person’s journey with alcohol addiction is unique. Professional treatment centers create individualized plans that address specific needs, including co-occurring mental health disorders, medical conditions, or personal circumstances.

These plans often include:

  • Medication-assisted detox (if necessary).
  • Nutritional support.
  • Counseling or therapy sessions.

 

Individualized treatment means treatment is an effective treatment, and only professional treatment centers can offer this.

Expert Medical Staff 

The presence of trained doctors, nurses, and addiction specialists ensures patients receive evidence-based care during detox. These specialists can, as needed, administer medications to ease withdrawal symptoms. This is especially important for DTs when a person will not be in control of their body or mind.

Relapse Prevention  

Detox is only the first step in recovery. Professional centers provide tools and strategies to prevent relapse, such as identifying triggers, teaching coping skills, and offering ongoing access to therapy and support groups.

Alcohol Detox Center Near Me

Rather than go through alcohol detox without the right help and support, it’s always safer to seek professional help. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol addiction, call us at 866-881-1184 or contact us here. Our highly qualified staff will be happy to help give you an idea of what to expect from your addiction recovery timeline, verify your insurance, and assist with any other questions you may have.

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