Anormed UK

Alcohol Detox at Home

Are you currently suffering with an alcohol addiction and want to detox at home in safest way possible? We know first hand just how difficult it can be living with an addiciton – we advise you either detox at home or in a rehabilitation clinic. You don’t have to suffer in silence, get help from our team who can get you on the road to recovery today.

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Detoxing in a rehab clinic is not for everybody – if you want to detox from alcohol safely from the comfort of your own home, this page is for you. 

 

You may be wondering if it’s possible to detox from alcohol at home safely, especially if you have a severe dependence. That is what we are going to explore on this page. 

 

Read on to learn more about detoxing from alcohol from home; including what detoxification is, what to expect from alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and of course, how to detox from home safely. We’ll also be going into detail about the alcohol home detox kits we have available at AnorMed. 

What is Alcohol Withdrawal?

Before exploring the ins and outs of alcohol detoxification, let’s discuss what alcohol withdrawal is, and what alcohol withdrawal symptoms are. 

 

Alcohol withdrawal occurs when you have physical alcohol dependence and you stop drinking alcohol suddenly, or when you distinctly lower the number of units your body is used to.

 

This is due to the way alcohol impacts your brain – or more specifically, the chemicals in your brain. Alcohol consumption increases GABA effects; a neurotransmitter in your brain. Alcohol consumption also decreases levels of glutamate in your brain, leaving you feeling calmer and more relaxed. 

 

However, when you drink alcohol excessively or for long periods, your brain will get used to these changes. This means your body may produce less GABA and more glutamate to account for these changes. 

 

This means when you stop drinking alcohol, your body will continue to produce less GABA and more glutamate, leaving you experiencing what is known as withdrawal symptoms. Read on to learn more about alcohol withdrawal symptoms. 

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to deal with, especially if you have a severe addiction, or have been addicted to alcohol for a long time. 

 

Despite being unpleasant, alcohol withdrawal symptoms aren’t usually severe. You may experience a range of physical, behavioural and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Here is a list of withdrawal symptoms you may experience when withdrawing from alcohol: 

 

  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Alcohol cravings
  • Mood swings 
  • Anxiety
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Stomach ache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
  • Hand tremors 

 

The general rule of thumb is that the more severe the addiction, the more severe the symptoms will be. Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous – for example, delirium tremens is the most severe form of withdrawal and typically requires hospitalisation as it can be fatal. 

 

The amount of time the withdrawal process lasts can vary – however, symptoms will typically peak around the third day. Acute withdrawal symptoms can persist for much longer. 

What is a Detox?

Before you stop drinking alcohol or receive rehab treatment, it’s important to have a brief understanding of what detoxification is and what to expect from alcohol detox. 

 

Detoxification aims at cleansing your body of a substance; during an alcohol detox, you will have no access to alcohol so your body can clear out the substance from your system. 

 

You may be familiar with the term ‘cold turkey’ – in terms of alcohol addiction, this is when you stop drinking suddenly without any professional support. 

 

At AnorMed, we do not recommend this; this is because it can be dangerous to detox cold turkey. Instead, we always encourage people to seek professional support. 

 

If you’re wondering how long it takes to detox, it can vary from person to person depending on a range of factors. For example, if you have been dependent on alcohol for many years, it may take longer to completely detox. 

 

Most people benefit from receiving further rehab treatment upon completing a detox. This is because detoxification does not address the behavioural, social and psychological aspects of addiction; instead, detoxification only focuses on combating physical dependence.

 

At AnorMed, we can find a quality comprehensive treatment programme for you to ensure you have the best chance of recovering from your alcohol addiction. Scroll down to learn more about how we can help you. 

How To Detox From Alcohol at Home Safely

Everybody should be able to detox from alcohol safely, whether it be at home or in a rehab clinic. Many people prefer to detox from alcohol at home as an outpatient – however, others prefer to detox in an alcohol rehab clinic. 

 

Residential rehab temporarily takes you away from the environment in that you became addicted to alcohol, and can remove any temptation. 

 

Detoxing from home, however, may be a good option if you have a mild addiction and you have other responsibilities. 

 

We can provide you with an effective at-home detox kit – however, there are certain eligibility criteria to consider. Home detox is not suitable for everybody, and we have to determine whether it is the right fit for you and your circumstances. 

 

Home detox kits aren’t the right choice if you have a severe addiction – for example if you’re used to drinking large amounts of alcohol (e.g binge drinking) or you’ve been dependent on alcohol for a long time.

 

We also take into account any physical health conditions – for example, whether you have high blood pressure, heart conditions or epilepsy. This is because it can lead to medical complications – and can be dangerous. 

 

Likewise, be sure to let us know any medications you are currently taking; there may be a risk of dangerous drug interaction when taking detox medication. 

 

As well as physical conditions, we factor in mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression or bipolar. This is because there is a risk of experiencing further mental health complications during the alcohol detox process – withdrawal can worsen existing mental health disorders. 

 

If you have mental health issues/ dual diagnosis, we recommend that you detox from alcohol in a medical facility or alcohol rehab centre. 

 

There is more to consider when detoxing from home too. First of all, be sure to throw away any bottles of alcohol you have lying around – this can lead to temptation. 

 

We also recommend that you have a solid support system in place. Detoxing can be difficult, so be sure that you have somebody to support you through the process. 

 

If you’re unsure whether a home detox kit is right for you, chat with our friendly team of addiction experts at AnorMed today. 

AnorMed Can Help You Overcome Your Alcohol Addiction

At AnorMed, we understand the difficulties that people face not only in finding the right treatment plan but addressing their problems with alcohol addiction and drug addiction. 

 

This is why we work to help people find the right addiction treatment for them – whether it be at home or a rehab clinic. We are connected with a range of quality rehab providers around the UK; from luxury rehab clinics to NHS-operated rehab providers. 

 

If you want to detox from home safely, our team of dedicated experts can help you source an at-home detox kit, of course, depending on eligibility. 

 

If, however, you’d prefer to detox under the supervision of medical professionals and make the most of effective detox medication, we can find the right plan for you at the right rehab clinic. 

 

Our friendly team will discuss your preferences and requirements to create a solid plan of action moving forward. 

 

We’ll be on hand to answer any questions about the alcohol and drug rehab process, including what to expect from an alcohol detox – so contact us today to get the ball rolling on your recovery journey. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Alcohol detoxification, commonly known as alcohol detox, is the critical initial step towards recovery for individuals with alcohol dependence. While seeking professional help in a medical setting is recommended for a safe and supported detox process, some individuals may consider detoxing at home. It is crucial to recognise that alcohol detox can be physically and psychologically challenging, and attempting it at home may pose serious risks. Before deciding on this path, it is essential to be well-informed about the process and potential dangers. Below are frequently asked questions about alcohol detox at home along with informative answers:

Yes, some individuals attempt alcohol detox at home without professional medical supervision. However, detoxing at home can be dangerous, as alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be severe and unpredictable. Medical supervision in a specialised treatment facility is recommended to ensure safety and manage potential complications.

Detoxing from alcohol at home can be risky due to potential life-threatening withdrawal symptoms like delirium tremens (DTs). Without medical supervision, there is a higher risk of dehydration, seizures, and other health complications. Additionally, individuals may not have access to necessary medications to ease withdrawal symptoms.

Yes, there are safer alternatives to detoxing at home. Medical detox programs in treatment facilities provide round-the-clock care, medical supervision, and medications to manage withdrawal symptoms effectively. These programs offer a supportive and controlled environment to promote a successful and safer detox process.

The decision between detoxing at home and seeking professional help depends on individual circumstances. If you have a history of heavy alcohol use, co-occurring medical conditions, or concerns about severe withdrawal symptoms, seeking medical detox in a treatment facility is strongly advised. Professional assessment and guidance can help determine the most suitable approach for your specific needs and ensure a safer detox experience.

  1. Mayo Clinic – Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms and Treatment: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/expert-answers/alcohol-withdrawal/faq-20457728
  2. MedlinePlus – Alcohol Withdrawal: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000764.htm
  3. WebMD – Alcohol Detox and Withdrawal: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/alcohol-detoxification-overview#1
  4. Verywell Mind – Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal: https://www.verywellmind.com/alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms-quiz-4969249
  5. Rethinking Drinking – Alcohol Detoxification: https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/How-much-is-too-much/Is-your-drinking-pattern-risky/Alcohol-Detoxification.aspx
  6. Healthline – Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and Effects: https://www.healthline.com/health/alcoholism/alcohol-withdrawal
  7. The Recovery Village – Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/alcohol-abuse/alcohol-withdrawal/
  8. Addiction Center – Alcohol Detox: What to Expect: https://www.addictioncenter.com/alcohol/detox/
  9. Medical News Today – Alcohol Detox: How Long Does It Take?: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326223
  10. National Library of Medicine – Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28813210/

 

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