The path to sobriety can be frightening, but it’s well worth the effort. The cause of alcohol dependency may sometimes be difficult to pinpoint, but it’s important to understand the behaviors and patterns that lead to a need for professional intervention.
The Dependency Derailment
Becoming dependent on a substance such as alcohol can happen surprisingly fast. When we start doing something over and over, it becomes a habit. The body becomes reliant on the habits we develop, which in this case is alcohol, so the need to detox, even at home, is essential.
Alcohol dependency causes chemicals to be released from the brain, resulting in the desired feelings that solidify the dependency that the body now has on this particular substance.
Over time, the body not only becomes reliant on the substance it has become accustomed to having, but it also builds up a tolerance, which then causes the person to drink more to satisfy their urges. This dependency is why the detox process can be lengthy and sometimes quite severe.
During the detox process, the alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to extreme.
Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
Some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can include mild to severe reactions that may be both physical and psychological.
Mild Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Irritability
Severe Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium Tremens
Delirium tremens is considered a medical emergency as it can result in death, which is why detoxing from alcohol at home must include supervision by a medical professional.
Detoxing is essential to living a sober life, and there are options when it comes to ridding the body of alcohol. The first step to take is choosing the right path.
Conflicting feelings may arise when choosing to pursue sobriety. While recovery can seem like a daunting task, it’s important to know that you have options. The first step, however, is detox. So, how do you detox from alcohol? Is it possible to detox at home?
The Detox Process
When a person decides to go through detox, there are essential factors to consider. Knowing that there will be withdrawal symptoms that will range in severity, it is vital to have a qualified medical professional on hand to assist.
It is also essential to understand the detox timeline, which varies from person to person and will depend on other factors such as the length of time the alcohol was used, that person’s health conditions, as well as their overall physical and mental state of mind.
- First 24 hours – This period is considered the early stages of alcohol detox, where withdrawal symptoms can begin to occur. This range of time is also when cravings for alcohol may become intensified, which is why learning how to detox from alcohol at home can be especially helpful at this stage.
- Days 1 through 3 – This period can include intense alcohol withdrawal symptoms where medical supervision and treatment is vital to manage the symptoms and avert any complications.
- Days 4 through 7 – The most severe withdrawal symptoms typically begin to recede, but there still may be ongoing physical and psychological discomfort.
- Weeks 2 through 4 – During this time frame, the physical symptoms can continue to improve, but some people may still have lingering irritability, mood swings, and cravings for alcohol.
- Months 1 through 6 – The body continues to heal. It adjusts to working without having alcohol, but this is also the time when ongoing support through counseling and support groups can be highly beneficial.
Detoxing Outside the Home
The detox process can be done outside the home at a facility, but there are things to consider when making this decision.
- You will have to adhere to that facility’s rules and regulations and make arrangements to temporarily suspend your daily life.
- You will have to relinquish your home comforts and replace them with less familiar and sometimes a more unsettled environment.
Medical detox programs have a supervised and controlled environment, which can be in either a specific rehab facility or a hospital situation, and often can’t provide the confidentiality and personal attention that in-home detox can offer.
How to Detox From Alcohol at Home
When deciding to choose to detox from alcohol at home, there are also things to consider.
- Having the privacy and comfort of your home surroundings can help ease the stress that can often arise during detox.
- The flexibility of in-home detox means you can easily set your routines and schedules.
When a person decides to seek alcohol withdrawal treatment and pursue long-term recovery, an at-home solution can be just as effective—or more so, depending on the person’s circumstances—as an inpatient detox.
There is Hope
At Concierge Home Detox, we can help provide the hope and much-needed help you need to detox from alcohol at home and pursue long-term recovery. Our team can teach you how to manage symptoms, change habits, and live a healthier life.
Our wide range of services includes aftercare planning to equip you with the tools and resources to continue your sober journey.
Consider living with a sober companion—a paraprofession who has lived experience and compassionate guidance to support you in your recovery.
If you are seeking treatment or assistance for a loved one, our professional interventions can help.
Seeking treatment can be difficult, and staying sober can be extraordinarily challenging. Still, this new, hopeful life journey can and will succeed with the right resources and a strong commitment.
Get help now and see how we can help you or your loved one detox at home from alcohol and learn to live a healthier and happier sober life today!