When someone with an alcohol dependency wants to stop drinking, they will often practice self-detox. Self-detox is when someone tries to rid their body of alcohol on their own, without the help of a professional. Some go “cold turkey” while others slowly wean themselves off of it. Some who self-detox plan carefully and others decide to alter their alcohol consumption without changing the other aspects of their lives in any way. In either case, they are clearing their bodies of alcohol with no outside support.
The Risks Associated With Self-Detoxing
The relative safety of detoxing at home varies from person to person. Self-detox is only safe for those who have never suffered from severe withdrawal symptoms before. If someone has gone through acute alcohol withdrawals, they run a high risk of experiencing a medical emergency. They are at risk of seizures and other dangerous effects that could result in hospitalization or death without medical supervision because they are so accustomed to having the substance in their body. This is also when they are at the highest risk of relapsing.
Tips for Detoxing at Home
If you decide that a home detox solution works for you in spite of the risks, following these tips can increase your chances of success:
- Cut down your consumption slowly over a period of days or weeks. The more you reduce the length and severity of your withdrawals, the better off you will be physically. If you decide to quit altogether, your body might display an adverse reaction.
- Avoid triggers. This includes drinking environments, people who drink excessively, and anything else that might tempt you to drink.
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat a balanced diet. Proper nutrition will help your body heal during detox. Conversely, a poor diet will make your symptoms worse.
- Explore alternative activities to fill the time you would have spent drinking. This might include hobbies, physical exercise, and socializing with friends who don’t drink as much as you do or not at all. If those aren’t available, try reading a book, sitting on the beach, or going for a hike instead of going out for drinks after work every day, for example.
- Get support. This can come from friends and family, but it’s also important to find an online community of people who are going through or have gone through the same thing.
- Be patient. Detoxing from alcohol is a process that takes time. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see results overnight.
- Get enough sleep. Lack of rest can aggravate withdrawal symptoms.
How to Find Professional Help
For those who have a more severe alcohol use disorder, rehab is a much better option because it provides supervised care. Detoxing in a rehab setting is also much safer because you’re surrounded by people who understand addiction and can help you through the withdrawal process. There are many rehab centers across the country that can provide the care and support you need to get sober. You can find the right professional help by using an online directory of rehab centers, looking for referrals, and searching for treatment options near you.
There is a lot that goes into choosing the right rehab facility for you. Some things to consider are how long you will have to stay, the amenities offered, and the overall cost of the program. You should also ask about what kind of aftercare they provide so that you can maintain your sobriety once treatment is over.
Altogether, there are many ways to detox from alcohol. Whether you choose to do it at home or in a professional setting, be sure to educate yourself on the risks and rewards associated with each option. Quitting can be difficult, but it is worth it to achieve sobriety.
