When you’re addicted to alcohol, there comes a point when enough is enough. You’re tired of blacking out, waking up hungover and having no idea what happened the night before. You’re tired of disappointing friends and family over and over again. You want to stop. That realization is the first step toward recovery. But how do you approach alcohol detox?

Alcoholism can affect the person struggling with it as well as their loved ones. Detox may seem like the only way to address the alcoholism. However, it’s important to keep in mind that alcohol detox can be dangerous if it’s done at home. Detox at a professional rehab facility is typically the most recommended method for addressing alcohol addiction and dependence.

Withdrawal from alcohol isn’t easy and not everyone can do it on their own. That difficulty is why alcohol detoxification and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals at rehab facilities throughout the country.

Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment at Home

Many people consider detoxing from alcohol at home. They may consider at-home detox because it makes the challenging situation seem easier to address. There’s usually no place more comfortable, safe-feeling and controllable than a person’s home. However, detoxing at home can have risks when people do not understand the alcohol withdrawal timeline and the risks that accompany alcohol withdrawal.

The Risks of At-Home Alcohol Detox and Withdrawal

As good as home detox may sound, medical professionals, don’t typically recommend detoxing at home, even if it makes accessing coping skills easier. There is far too much uncertainty in the alcohol detox process, including the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal from alcohol should never be trivialized, as it can become a serious medical situation with potentially dire consequences. Alcohol withdrawal treatment at a professional rehab facility is typically the safest option for men and women struggling with alcohol use disorders.

Choosing to Detox at Home

Many people attempt to self-detox at some point, and it’s often a string of failed attempts of self-detoxing that lead an individual to enter rehab in the first place. That’s not to say, however, that people haven’t successfully self-detoxed from alcohol on their own.

If you decide that detoxing at home is the right situation for you, it’s important that you do it safely. Here are a couple of factors to keep in mind when detoxing at home:

• Remove alcohol from your home: This may sound obvious, but it’s a critical first step when self-detoxing. When you first start experiencing withdrawal symptoms, you may not be able to control your cravings. Avoid the temptation altogether by getting rid of alcohol that you have on hand.
• Clear your schedule: For some people, it may seem impossible to clear your schedule for days or weeks, but it’s necessary if you want your detox to be successful. Take some time off work and put aside your responsibilities – at least temporarily – so you can focus on your recovery.
• Get support: Just because you’re detoxing from alcohol at home doesn’t mean you should do it alone. Find a friend or family member to help keep you safe during the process and who will get you medical help if your withdrawal symptoms get too severe.

What to Eat During Alcohol Detox

When your body is withdrawing from alcohol, food will probably be the last thing on your mind. Eating is an important part of your recovery because alcohol affects how your body metabolizes and utilizes nutrients.

Focus on Hydration First

Alcohol withdrawal causes a variety of different symptoms including fatigue, anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms are most severe between 24 and 72 hours after the last drink and may limit your ability to eat.

Make sure you drink plenty of fluids during this time as it will help rehydrate your body and get rid of toxins. Water, juice, broth, ice pops, and gelatin are good choices for hydration during the early stages of withdrawal.

Start With a Balanced Diet

Once you can start eating again, it’s important to focus on eating a healthy diet. Eat foods from a variety of food groups in the right amounts to help meet your caloric needs. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, but don’t neglect the importance of whole grains and lean sources of protein.

Take Your Vitamins and Minerals

When you’re detoxing in an inpatient or outpatient treatment facility, they’ll usually prescribe medications to help ease withdrawal symptoms of alcohol. At home, you won’t have that luxury. But there are some vitamins and minerals you can take that are often beneficial and help remove toxins. Some of these include B vitamins, multivitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and calcium.

Pros & Cons of Detoxing at Home

Alcohol detox can be a dangerous process, which is why it’s typically best handled by a medical professional at a detox or rehab center. Alcohol detoxification involves withdrawal, and withdrawal involves physical symptoms. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be severe. Ultimately, the severity of symptoms depends on a number of factors, including age, gender, and longevity of the addiction.

Other Types of Treatment Programs

You have several options available to you when it comes to where you’ll detox:

Inpatient Treatment

Choosing to go through withdrawal at an inpatient treatment facility means you’ll benefit from around the clock care by a team of medical professionals. Inpatient treatment is usually recommended for people who have been drinking for a long time or who consumed excessive amounts of alcohol during their addiction. Another benefit of inpatient treatment is that, should you need it, a doctor can prescribe medications to help you manage your withdrawal symptoms.

Outpatient Treatment

If your addiction wasn’t severe, outpatient treatment is an option. Outpatient detox consists of visiting a treatment facility on a regular basis during detox. For the majority of outpatient detox, you’ll detox at home. When you visit the treatment facility, you may be prescribed medications that can help with withdrawal symptoms.

Self-Detox at Home

Self-detoxing at home isn’t typically advised, but for some people, it may be the only option. Most people who detox at home quit cold turkey, but some choose to taper instead. Although self-detoxing without assistance from a doctor or medication is often painful, it can be done.

If you have questions about alcohol withdrawal treatment or home detox, call The Restore Africa^® to speak with a representative about how professional treatment can help you.

If you or a loved one live with alcoholism or are struggling to quit using alcohol, consider seeking professional help. Restore Africa^® specializes in treating alcohol addiction and helping people recover from alcoholism. Contact one of our caring representatives to learn how Restore Africa^® can help you or a loved one start on the path to a healthier future.