Safe Alcohol Detox

Detox is the process of allowing the body to remove the alcohol in it. Safe alcohol detox aims to comfortably manage withdrawal symptoms when someone stops taking substances like alcohol. It also aims to restore the body and mind to a healthier state before treatment. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) [1], alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be severe and potentially fatal, so it is particularly important to assess the need for medically managed withdrawal. Therefore, safe alcohol detoxification should be administered in a comfortable medical environment.

There are two major signs of alcohol addiction: tolerance and withdrawal. The body builds up a tolerance to alcohol after continued exposure. As the body adapts, the tolerance increases and leads to a person needing to consume even more alcohol to achieve the desired effects.

The second sign is withdrawal. This will manifest when the body isn’t getting enough alcohol to satisfy your tolerance for whatever reason. As a result, the body is bound to revert to operate without it. A few physical symptoms of withdrawal include stress and anxiety, accelerated heart rate, disorientation, nausea, the need to purge, and insomnia. If a person experiences these symptoms yet continues to drink to calm the discomfort, these are clear signs that help is needed.

Alcohol Withdrawal Can Be Uncomfortable

How Long Does It Take To Detox From Alcohol?

Everyone has a different experience with detox. The type of substance and how long it was used affect what detox will be like. The pain and discomfort from withdrawal symptoms are a major hurdle. The Alcohol Detox symptoms can keep individuals with alcohol use disorder from taking that first step toward sobriety.

The most uncomfortable detox withdrawal symptoms usually peak around 10 to 30 hours after the last drink and start to lessen by 40 to 50 hours. Although delirium tremens is a less common symptom, roughly 30 percent of those who get it will also develop Aspiration Pneumonia. A medically assisted withdrawal helps prevent serious complications, keeps track of a patient’s health condition, and relieves any painful effects.

Sobriety cannot be achieved without completing detox, but many people fear detoxification because they believe the process will be uncomfortable. It isn’t going to be easy, but it is necessary, and it is going to be worth it. The key to safe and comfortable detox is to choose medically assisted detox.

Alcohol Detox at Home

Even though alcohol is a legal substance, it is one of only a few substances in which the withdrawal symptoms can be deadly. This is because alcohol is toxic to the body, and causes intense changes to a person’s central nervous system.

While the home may initially seem like a more comfortable environment, ultimately it could end up saving your life to go through the process of alcohol detox under medical supervision.

Is it Safe to Detoxing at Home?

Choosing to detox at home can be fatal. Quitting “cold turkey” or without medical supervision can lead to serious issues such as seizures and severe dehydration. It can also cause serious health complications during withdrawal, such as:

While the home may initially seem like a more comfortable environment, it is best to go through the process of alcohol detox under medical supervision. From providing the proper medication to creating a comfortable environment, professional alcohol detox facilities are the most comfortable and the safest place for alcohol detox.

Safe Alcohol Detox Environments

During the pandemic, people may feel more comfortable detoxing on their own at home. The advantages of home detox include privacy, as well as a familiar environment.

For people who experience mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms, there are safe ways to detox at home. People who experience tremors, shakes, or confusion when they quit drinking should consider medically supervised detox. You should talk to a doctor about the safest way to detox if you experience any withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking.

If you’ve been unable to quit on your own, you should consider attending an alcohol rehab center. Alcoholism treatment allows you to detox in a safe environment. It teaches you healthy ways to cope with stress and techniques for overcoming the underlying causes of alcohol addiction. It also prepares you for life without alcohol.

Are Home Remedies For Alcohol Detox Safe?

People often attempt home remedies with no professional supervision. However, non-medical environments may not be safe for the detox process.

Some “home research” “how to detox from alcohol?” may give an idea of what to expect during alcohol detox, but there are subtle variations in how addiction manifests in different people. How one person’s body and mind react to the deprivation of alcohol might play out differently than how another person reacts. Those looking to detox at home must know alcohol detox can involve serious, sometimes fatal complications like Delirium Tremens (DT). Typically, DT will last anywhere from five to seven days.

Symptoms of DT include:

• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Agitation
• Fast heartbeat
• High blood pressure
• Fever
• Sweating

Pros & Cons of Detoxing at Home

For additional information on Detox in general, visit here.

We Level FL Mental Health Center: Primary Mental Health Treatment w/Secondary Co-Occurring Treatment

We Level Up FL primary mental health center stands ready to help. Offering secondary treatment therapy for underlying problems like Alcoholism that often fuel negative behaviors. Taking that first step to getting the help you deserve can be life-changing.

We understand how behavioral disorders and secondary co-occurring addiction diagnoses directly impact each other. We Level Up Florida can instill a support system through our mental health treatments that can make you feel valuable. Call us now for a free mental health assessment! 

Inpatient medical detox and residential primary addiction treatment may be available at our affiliated facility at Level Up Treatment West Palm Beach.