For someone who struggles with addiction, admitting that they need help can seem like a huge, insurmountable obstacle—even though they know that it's the first major step needed in order to get better. But why is this? Asking for help should be natural and a normal thing to do. So why does it become so difficult when addiction and alcoholism are a factor?
The main fear behind asking for help is because the stigma surrounding alcoholism is still strong in our society, and many people refuse to acknowledge that they have the disease because they don't want others to think of them as weak or flawed. Despite this belief, alcoholism is not a choice; it's also not a sign of weakness. It’s a very real illness and one that requires proper treatment and support from others who understand it in order to fully and safely recover from it.
Because of the stigma surrounding alcoholism, detoxing from alcohol at home is often attempted by individuals who do not want to seek professional treatment for fear of being judged. However, there are some very real dangers associated with detoxing without supervision.
Let's take a deeper look at alcohol withdrawal, its effects, and the possible risks of attempting to detox without professional care.
What is alcohol detox?
To understand how to safely recover from an alcohol detox (also commonly referred to as withdrawal), we first need to understand what it is and how it affects the body and the brain.
When someone suffering from alcohol addiction suddenly stops drinking alcohol after prolonged consumption, their body reacts to this sudden change. This is because their brain has become accustomed to the effects of alcohol and now needs time to adjust without it.
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is the set of symptoms that occur as the body adapts to the absence of alcohol. The symptoms and severity of AWS will depend on how much they drink and how long they have been drinking, as well as any other underlying health conditions or medications they take regularly.
Is it dangerous to detox from alcohol at home?
Although it may seem easier, more private, and more straightforward to empty the house of alcohol and wait for the body to rid itself of the consumed alcohol and adjust, it is not that simple.
It can be extremely dangerous to detox from alcohol at home without proper care and supervision. This is because many of the symptoms may be mistaken for other illnesses, and the individual may not get the treatment they need, especially if they experience very severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
The truth is, no one can predict how a detox will go or when complications might occur. Complications can be dangerous and even life-threatening. This is why it’s so important that detox is done under medical supervision. Professionals can closely monitor the process in order to make sure the body doesn't enter into dangerous territory.
Apart from the risks of not being professionally supervised, detoxing from alcohol at home could end up having the opposite effect. The side effects of withdrawal are often more intense than most realize, which could lead to a binge relapse. Especially in cases where it is a completely solo detox attempt – as there is a very minimal barrier to setbacks and the success of the detox is solely reliant on willpower.
Alcohol detox symptoms
The severity of detox symptoms often depends on how much alcohol a person has been drinking and how long they have been consuming it. For someone that has been consuming large amounts of alcohol over an extended period of time, their body has likely become dependent on it and will experience more severe withdrawal symptoms compared to someone who has developed a more recent addiction to alcohol.
Typical alcohol detox symptoms can include:
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Anxiety and/or restlessness
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Irritability
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Headaches
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Depression and mood swings
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Nausea and vomiting
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Sweating
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Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
However, it is important to understand that it’s not wholly uncommon for more serious symptoms to occur, including:
- Seizures
- Breathing problems
- Extreme and uncontrollable restless and irritable behavior
- Delirium Tremens (DT) which can include:
- Tremors (shaking),
- Hallucinations and/or severe disorientation and confusion
- Acute increases in heart rate and/or blood pressure
How long do the effects of an alcohol detox last?
On average, the first stage of the detox process can start within 6-8 hours after the last drink and typically lasts anywhere from 3 days to about 1 week, if not more.
Symptoms of detox generally intensify over time, and they often peak around 48 to 72 hours. Sometimes the most dangerous symptoms only last a few hours, but they can also linger for up to two or three days.
How supervised alcohol detoxing works
The first step of the alcohol detox program is generally a medical assessment. During this time, an addiction physician or nurse practitioner will evaluate the patient’s physical health and assess any potential risks associated with their substance use disorder. The severity of their alcohol addiction determines the level of care they will receive during detox. The doctor may also ask about other mental illnesses they have experienced in the past, as well as whether or not they have ever been treated for addiction before.
After this initial evaluation, they will typically move on to a treatment plan, often involving medications designed to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms. These drugs can be used alone or in combination with each other (depending on what works best for them).
A medical professional will be available 24 hours a day and will monitor their vital signs every few hours for as long as it takes until the patient is fully detoxed and their symptoms have passed. Thereafter, they will meet with a counselor, who will help develop a plan for aftercare.
Post-detox treatment for Alcoholism
Although detoxing is the all-important first step of getting rid of alcohol from the body—it doesn't address any underlying issues that may have led to substance abuse in the first place. Many people with alcoholism are able to stop drinking for a period of time but find that their cravings for alcohol return.
Post-detox treatments seek to solve this problem by getting down to the root cause as well as helping patients learn coping skills so that they don't return to toxic habits again. This can include an outpatient program, such as attending support meetings, or an inpatient program, whereby they will be checked in at a facility.
An inpatient or residential rehab facility will provide the tools needed to break the addiction, including counseling and support groups designed to help manage emotions without turning back to drinking. They will also learn how to avoid the triggers that led them toward alcohol abuse in the first place and how to cope with life without relying on alcohol as a way of relieving stress or calming nerves.
Longer-term treatment options include intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), which allow recovering addicts more freedom than traditional inpatient facilities while still providing them with access to all the necessary resources for sobriety maintenance; sober living homes (SLHs), which provide housing and support services like therapy sessions and group meetings; 12-step programs like AA meetings; and sober coaches who are available via phone or email 24/7.
Don’t take the risk
Don't take the risk of detoxing from alcohol at home. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, help is available. Don’t let the stigma of addiction keep you or your loved one from getting the help you need. Rehab Bookings has a directory of treatment centers across the country that offer a range of services, including detox. You can find an accredited facility near you by entering your zip code into our directory.
