If you struggle with an unhealthy relationship with alcohol and want to stop drinking, you may be curious about detoxing from alcohol at home. While a few people may be able to detox from alcohol at home, many fail.

Learning more about your options for alcohol detox can help you make informed decisions about your care. Contact the Arise Treatment Center staff today for more information about our supportive substance abuse treatment programs.

Signs You Need to Detox from Alcohol

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends moderate drinking if people choose to consume alcohol. Moderate drinking is defined as one alcoholic drink per day for women and two per day for men. The CDC defines a drink as:

12 ounces of beer

• 5 ounces of wine
• 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits like vodka, rum, and whiskey

Drinking too much alcohol for a prolonged period can put you at risk of developing serious health conditions, including addiction.

If you regularly drink too much alcohol, you may need the support of a medical detox program to have a safe, complete detox. Some signs that you may require substance abuse treatment include:

• Needing to drink more to feel “buzzed”
• Spending a lot of time getting alcohol, drinking, and recovering from drinking
• Using alcohol to numb uncomfortable emotions like sadness, anxiety, or boredom
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms if you do not drink
• Wanting to stop drinking but feeling like you can’t
• Continuing to drink despite the negative consequences
• Falling behind at work, school, or home because of your drinking
• Isolating or pulling away from friends and family
• Financial or legal trouble because of your drinking

The first step of alcohol abuse treatment is detoxification. During this stage, your body will rid itself of alcohol and return to its natural state.

Is it Possible to Detox from Alcohol at Home?

Some people may attempt to detox by themselves. This is never recommended because it is very challenging to have a safe, complete detox from alcohol at home. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) says that certain people should never attempt to detox from alcohol without intensive medical support, including:

• Those with co-occurring mental health disorders
• People who use other drugs
• Those who have a history of alcohol withdrawal
• Anyone with a history of seizures or Delirium Tremens
• People with medical conditions

While people in those groups need to seek medically-supervised detox, anyone can benefit from the supervision and support of these programs.

During a medically-supervised detox program, patients receive physical and emotional support that allows them to have a complete detox. This may include:

• Physical distance from alcohol and other triggers
• Medications to treat withdrawal symptoms
• Holistic treatments to provide comfort
• Emotional support from trained, compassionate professionals

Many people struggle to achieve a complete detox without the guidance, treatment, and support of medical and addiction specialists.

Why is Detoxing from Alcohol at Home So Hard?

After a prolonged period of heavy drinking, a person’s body can become dependent on the presence of alcohol. When the person stops drinking, they will go through withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal includes physical and emotional symptoms that are often very uncomfortable. These include:

• Tremors
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Body aches
• Headache

Faced with the discomfort of withdrawal, many people relapse–meaning they begin to drink again. While most of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are uncomfortable, some people experience dangerous, sometimes life-threatening symptoms. Seizures, confusion, excessive vomiting, and dangerously high blood pressure are some possible withdrawal symptoms people can experience.

Some risk factors can make a person more likely to experience dangerous alcohol withdrawal symptoms, but anyone can develop these symptoms. The possibility of developing these dangerous symptoms is why it’s crucial that people do not attempt to detox from alcohol at home.

3 Reasons You Should Never Detox from Alcohol at Home

Alcohol withdrawal can be uncomfortable and dangerous. Getting the support and treatment you need to stay safe and comfortable during detox is vital.

Here are the top three reasons you should never detox from alcohol at home

1. Risk of Delirium Tremens (DTs)

Delirium Tremens (DTs) is a rare but serious medical complication that can develop during alcohol withdrawal. Only about 5% of people with alcohol withdrawal develop this condition, but it can be fatal when it occurs. The symptoms of Delirium Tremens include:

• Elevated body temperature
• Elevated heart rate
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Confusion
• Agitation
• Shaking
• Seizures

People who develop DTs require immediate medical attention to avoid severe physical harm or death. You can prevent DTs by detoxing under medical supervision.

2. Low risk of success

Few people who attempt to detox from alcohol at home are successful. Alcohol withdrawal is very uncomfortable, and alcohol is widely available. Many people who try to quit “cold turkey” end up relapsing early in the process due to the intense cravings they experience and the painful symptoms of withdrawal.

Treatment, including medically-supervised detox, can help you get through detox safely and comfortably and give you the skills to live a healthy, sober lifestyle.

3. Support is available at an alcohol detox center

You’re unlikely to be successful when trying to detox from alcohol at home. You could also experience dangerous and life-threatening complications. However, there is medical support available at an alcohol detox center near you.

Alcohol detox centers can prescribe medications, monitor your withdrawal symptoms, and provide you with emotional support during the withdrawal process. Detoxing under medical supervision is associated with more positive treatment outcomes.

Get Help Now

If you are considering detoxing from alcohol at home, it’s important that you understand the risks. At-home detox can result in relapse, medical emergencies, and even death.

Arise Treatment Center’s goal is to create a safe, comfortable, and nurturing environment for people who are detoxing from alcohol. Our hospitable alcohol detox facility in California provides a relaxing detox environment while our compassionate staff caters to each of your unique needs. And, with an individualized approach, there is no better place to begin your recovery journey.

Speak with the Arise Treatment Center Staff to learn more about how we can support you. Contact us today.