Alcohol Detox at Home: Risks and Realities

Alcohol Detox at Home: Understanding the Risks, Realities, and Safer Paths to Recovery

The Top Risks of Home Detox

Generally, while there are rare exceptions, it is not recommended that you try to detox from alcohol on your own. Alcohol is considered one of the most risky substances to detox from cold turkey or without help, so it’s important to be aware of possible complications.

Some of the main risks of at-home alcohol detox include:

Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium

About 3-5% of people who go through alcohol withdrawal will experience a severe manifestation of alcohol withdrawal syndrome called alcohol withdrawal delirium. Also called delirium tremens (DT), alcohol withdrawal delirium is marked by symptoms such as hallucinations, high blood pressure, fever, disorientation, agitation, and tachycardia.

Delirium tremens can be deadly. Considered the most dangerous form of alcohol withdrawal, DT onsets during the first 3-8 days of alcohol detox. Those at risk of DT must be monitored and should not pursue at-home detox under any circumstances.

Other Severe Withdrawal Symptoms

Some people experience serious withdrawal symptoms like alcohol withdrawal seizures within as little as the first few hours of stopping alcohol use. Other common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome include but aren’t limited to anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, tremors, irritability, headaches, alcohol cravings, fatigue, and mood swings.

Continued Drinking Behaviors

A common sign of alcohol addiction is continuing to use alcohol to avoid withdrawals. That said, continuous heavy drinking can result in potentially permanent health complications, and as you likely know, it can be fatal. Those who don’t seek any form of support as they stop drinking are at a higher risk of relapse.

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Staying Safe During Alcohol Detox

While uncomfortable, alcohol detox doesn’t last forever. Even though alcohol withdrawal can seem intimidating, it’s imperative that you do not let the fear stop you. You can get off of alcohol and heal from addiction.

For your safety, our inpatient medical detox team may provide the following while monitoring for and stepping in to address more severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms as needed.

• Some people need IV fluids for hydration and electrolyte imbalance during the alcohol withdrawal process.
• The type of medication we prescribe you during alcohol detox can depend on what type of symptoms you have (nausea vs. seizures vs. trouble sleeping, etc).
• Meals are provided on a schedule to support appropriate nutrition, which can be difficult in the early stages of alcohol withdrawal.

You may also need help addressing medical issues that have stemmed from heavy drinking. Long-term alcohol use can result in digestive, brain, cardiovascular, and pancreatic health risks, among other alcohol-related problems. Quitting alcohol is one of the most essential things you can do for your well-being.

What Determines the Severity of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?

Why do some people have more severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms than others? Numerous factors can play a role in the severity of your alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including but not limited to:

• Typical alcohol intake. If you usually drink alcohol in large amounts, you’re more likely to have more severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
• Frequency of alcohol consumption. Alongside how much alcohol you consume on a typical basis, how often you drink and how long you’ve been drinking will likely make a difference in your experience.
• The use of other drugs. Some people who use alcohol may use another type of drug, too, which can be hard on the body.

Overall physical health and age can also affect your personal experience with alcohol detox. For example, if you have kidney disease, alcohol detox might take longer for you than it would for someone else.

Professional Alcohol Detox at Purpose Healing Center

If you do need inpatient detox, the process should be relatively short. Acute alcohol withdrawals tend to last for about 1-2 weeks. Many clients need medically supervised detox (inpatient detox) at our center for about one week, but for some, the timeframe is even shorter.

Once you stabilize and the worst of your symptoms are over, we recommend that you enter an addiction treatment program with us. Our addiction and dual diagnosis treatment programs for alcohol abuse address the underlying causes of unhealthy drinking behaviors.

After Detox – What are the Next Steps?

Following detox at Purpose Healing Center, we offer proven inpatient programs of support, as well as range of outpatient offerings. Our partial hospitalization program (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP) can be ideal for those who need to work while in alcohol addiction treatment.

The Importance of Post-Detox Care

By providing therapy for addiction, Purpose Healing Center is here to help you set yourself up for success in addiction recovery. Continued substance abuse treatment post-detox can help you:

• Understand why you drink and address the root cause.
• Create a support system or regain closeness to loved ones.
• Solidify healthy, alcohol-free routines.
• Set boundaries for alcohol addiction recovery.
• Learn coping skills for addiction and mental health.

Many clients overcoming alcohol dependence at our center start with inpatient rehab, followed by PHP, then IOP, and then standard outpatient treatment. That said, your treatment trajectory will be unique to you. If you have a co-occurring mental health disorder, our dual-diagnosis treatment programs can help.

Therapy for Alcohol Addiction at Purpose Healing Center

Our treatment programs provide a number of services that can help you or your loved one overcome alcohol abuse. These include but aren’t limited to:

• Relapse prevention training.
• Motivational therapies for addiction.
• Behavioral therapies (e.g., dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy).
• General psychiatry/medication management.
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for alcohol use disorder.
• Psychoeducation.
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings and AA Step-working resources.
• Family therapy.
• Art therapy.
• Trauma therapy.
• Life skills.

Recreation, physical activity, meditation and mindfulness, and other evidence-based or holistic treatments may also be a part of your treatment with us. Some treatments and activities will depend on your care level, and all Purpose Healing Center clients get an individualized recovery plan.

Aftercare (Discharge) Planning

Before you leave Purpose Healing Center, we’ll help you make a discharge plan. Our team can refer you to sober living, help you facilitate your return to work or school, find support groups near you, or assist you with anything else you might need.

We’ll be here to check in with you after treatment through check-in calls and other alumni services. At Purpose Healing Center, we’re here to get to know your needs and help you thrive after alcohol abuse.

Insurance Coverage for Safe Alcohol Detox and Treatment

Purpose Healing Center accepts most forms of insurance. You can use your insurance plan to cover all levels of care at our treatment center, including detox, inpatient rehab, and our outpatient rehab programs.

You will not be turned away from Purpose Healing Center due to inability to pay. Please call Purpose Healing Center if you have any questions about insurance coverage or payment for alcohol detox and addiction treatment at our center. Our team is here to help you find solutions.