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What do you think of when you imagine alcohol or drug detox? Media often makes it seem like the only way to detox is “quitting cold turkey,” or isolating at a rehab center to just “ride it out.” However, detoxing from alcohol on your own isn’t just ineffective; it can actually kill you. Additionally, the detox process might not be feasible to do; you may have priorities like work, school, or family to take care of that makes it difficult to just up and leave to go detox at a rehab center.

The reality is that there’s a way to detox from alcohol at home, and it can be a good option for a lot of patients. Many people don’t know that, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, 90% of patients are eligible to complete their alcohol detox in an ambulatory (or outpatient) setting, meaning that you can complete your alcohol detox at home if found appropriate by a provider. With professional help, it’s possible to get through the detox process in the comfort of your own home.

Master Center has helped thousands of people complete alcohol detox–also known as withdrawal management–at home for more than 10 years, and our providers are expertly trained in delivering the necessary medical oversight needed to complete it. If you’re considering alcohol detox but can’t put your life on pause to go to a rehab center, then ambulatory detox might be the right choice for you.

It’s important to note that alcohol detox at home requires professional medical oversight first, and you shouldn’t complete the process on your own. Before you make that consultation appointment, there are a few things to know about the process:

1. The warning signs that you may need an alcohol detox.

2. How to detox from alcohol in an outpatient setting.

3. Alcohol detox safety tips.

After knowing this information, be sure to consult with a medical provider or specialist at an accredited rehab center to determine if ambulatory alcohol detox is appropriate for you.

5 Warning Signs You May Need Alcohol Detox

Many times, the warning signs of alcohol abuse and alcoholism are spotted by loved ones before the person themself realizes they may need help; however, it’s also important to reflect honestly on your behaviors, drinking habits, and dangerous patterns that may point to an alcohol use problem.

Detox is typically the first step to recovery, so before looking into alcohol detox at home, keep an eye out for the signs that you may need medical attention.

1. Blackouts, Memory Loss, & Tremors

A blackout occurs from a dangerous and rapid rise in blood alcohol content (BAC) to a level that impairs the brain’s ability to process and make new memories. So, even though you may be interacting with the environment, your brain is unable to make new memories and eventually shuts down, causing blackouts. If this occurs noticeably often, there may be a deeper issue at play.

Another sign of dependency is delirium tremens. Delirium tremens (DTs) is a type of severe withdrawal from alcohol that involves dangerous tremors. It usually starts about 2-3 days after someone who’s dependent on alcohol ends a long drinking binge, but they can occur as long as 10 days after the last drink. If untreated, they can cause a heart attack, stroke, and death.

If these symptoms occur, it indicates that alcohol use is at a dangerous level and that physical dependency may have developed, so it’s worth considering detoxifying.

2. Drinking Alone

Drinking alone and hiding the amount and/or frequency of when you drink can be a sign pointing to a detox.  This unhealthy habit may arise from a need to self-medicate or a coping mechanism. If you’re feeling embarrassed about your drinking habits, fearful that you’re not getting “enough” alcohol, or confused as to why you can’t stop drinking, it might be time to seek medical help for a detox.

3. Irritability or Mood Swings

Irritability and mood swings when a person is unable to drink—either because there’s not an available supply or because they find themselves in a situation where they should not drink—are symptoms of alcohol addiction. If the only thing that makes you feel better is being able to drink alcohol, there’s a much deeper problem that may require treatment and medical detox.

4. Isolation From Friends & Family

Excessive drinking can cause a personality change, where you may find yourself placing alcohol above friends, family, coworkers, and responsibilities. In turn, this results in isolation from the important people in your life, whether by their choice or yours, due to your drinking habits. If you begin to isolate yourself from your loved ones and relationships, this can also indicate an alcohol use issue.

5. Making Excuses to Keep Drinking

If drinking excessively progresses to the point where you’re not meeting your responsibilities or making excuses to continue drinking, there is likely a true problem with alcohol. Lying or rationalizing negative actions or choices points to addictive behavior that most likely requires professional help.

How to Safely Alcohol Detox at Home with Medical Help

Alcohol Detox Follows a 3-Step Process

1. Intake (2-3 Days)

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms begin about 1-2 days after your last drink. During these first two days, a medical professional will review your medical history, learn about your situation, and then create an alcohol detox treatment plan if appropriate. A doctor or qualified medical professional will then prescribe and administer comfort medications to combat symptoms, as withdrawal symptoms usually begin around this time.

2. Medication (3-5 Days)

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms peak after the 72-hour mark from the last drink, where withdrawal can be at its most severe. From here, you may be prescribed medication that eases alcohol withdrawal symptoms and helps medically stabilize you as the alcohol leaves your body. Withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Anxiety symptoms (sweaty hands, increased heart rate)

• Tremors

• Nausea and vomiting

• Hallucinations

• Seizures

• Delirium tremens

These symptoms vary from person to person, so listen to your body and lean on your medical provider when symptoms arise.

3. Stabilization Transition (5-7 Days)

At the tail end of the process, withdrawal symptoms begin to taper off. At this point, you may work with professional counselors through therapy to adjust your mind and body to life without alcohol.

It’s important to note here that the alcohol recovery process isn’t over; it’s crucial to engage in long-term treatment options, like therapy, intensive outpatient, or other programs to maintain sobriety. Many centers may offer aftercare services to help you adjust to treatment post-detox, so be sure to explore those options as well.

There Are Conditions for Alcohol Detox at Home

When cleared by a medical professional to alcohol detox at home, you can expect some guidelines that aim to ensure your safety, progress, and success. Different centers may have different conditions, but some of them can include:

• A required partner/buddy present for the first 3 days, then available after the first 7 days.

• No driving until cleared by a provider.

• No working until cleared by a provider.

• Required communication and contact between you, the provider, and detox partner.

• Mandatory alcohol testing throughout the detox process.

Be prepared to ask questions about a center’s detox conditions and ensure that you’re prepared to follow what is required.

4 Safety Tips for a Successful Alcohol Detox at Home

We understand that alcohol detox can feel like a difficult and daunting process, but it’s an important and worthwhile decision. The most important things you can do to be successful are to be prepared, listen to your provider, and follow the treatment plan.

Our medical professionals recommend these 4 safety tips:

1. Make a Plan With People

Uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms can quickly drive someone to relapse, so it’s very important to have a friend or family member stay with you. Make sure you have someone to check in on you, help you take your medication, complete some of your responsibilities, and ensure your safety throughout the process. Additionally, having a supportive person present during a home detox increases the likelihood of success, so try and get all the help you can.

2. Constantly Hydrate

The absence of alcohol in a physically dependent person can trigger bodily withdrawals such as headaches, fatigue, lack of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Drinking lots of fluids will combat some of these symptoms and help the body flush out all the toxins. Water, juices, gelatin, chicken/beef broth, and sports drinks are all good choices for staying hydrated and combating withdrawal symptoms.

3. Eat a Balanced Diet

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome can also be exacerbated by poor nutrition. Drinking heavily usually coincides with a lack of a healthy diet, depriving the body of important nutrients. Some behavioral withdrawal symptoms can include lethargy and impaired decision-making, so eating a variety of foods from all of the main food groups will help your body recover more quickly during detox.

4. Take Vitamins (if Appropriate)

If a medical provider prescribes medications to ease withdrawal, you may benefit from taking vitamin supplements. When the body undergoes a physically demanding process like detox, many important vitamins and nutrients can be depleted, making it physically harder to combat withdrawal. It’s necessary, however, to ask your provider for guidance about taking additional vitamins during your detox.

Remember that Detox is Just the Beginning

Once the detox ends, the problems associated with drinking aren’t completely gone. Detox is not effective by itself as a modality for lasting recovery, but it can be used as a gateway to continuing treatment. True recovery and healing go beyond detox and require an integrated, ongoing recovery program of medical, behavioral, and peer support.

Outpatient detox has been proven to be safe, successful, and cost-effective, and it’s a good option to consider when choosing how to get addiction help. If you’re thinking about alcohol detox at home, give us a call at 804.332.5950 for a consultation with a medical provider to see if it’s the right fit for you, and start your journey to break free from addiction.

About Master Center

Master Center is a groundbreaking addiction treatment program headquartered in Glen Allen, Va. Based on a vision of comprehensive outpatient care, Master Center was launched in 2016 and now includes locations throughout the Commonwealth.

Master Center offers a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach rarely seen in the outpatient setting, staffed by experienced addiction physicians, psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, and peer recovery coaches.