When a person who has struggled with the disease of addiction to alcohol for a long time decides to give up drinking, they often have questions about what the first step should be. Most people are aware of treatment choices that take place in a hospital or residential settings but wonder if they can detox from alcohol at home.
The Stages of Acute Withdrawal From Alcohol
When someone quits drinking alcohol cold turkey, they experience acute withdrawal first. The symptoms for this typically begin around six hours after the person’s last alcoholic drink and peak after approximately 24-48 hours. These initial side effects are mostly physical in nature and can include:
- Headache
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Change in blood pressure
- Rapid pulse
- Shakiness
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiety
Within 12-24 hours after a person’s last drink, more complicated symptoms may occur. Depending on how long a person remained addicted to alcohol and how much they consumed, they may experience hallucinations. These can last up to two days. Within 24-48 hours after the last drink, some individuals experience withdrawal-related seizures.
Between three to seven days after the last drink, some people develop delirium tremens, also referred to as “the DTs”. This condition only happens in about 5% of those detoxing from alcohol abuse. Of those who develop it, it can prove fatal for about 1 in 20. When delirium tremens occurs, hospitalization is often required.
After 5-7 days, most acute withdrawal symptoms begin to subside and typically disappear completely within two weeks.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome Can Occur Next
After dealing with acute withdrawal symptoms, some people then experience what’s called Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). PAWS symptoms focus more on mood and psychological difficulties but can also include physical side effects. A person who has consumed large amounts of alcohol for a prolonged period of time is more likely to experience PAWS than others.
Once a person has finished the initial acute withdrawal from alcohol, their minds are no longer clouded by inebriation. This makes it easier for them to experience emotions that may be surfacing after a long time of being covered up with alcohol abuse. Just as a person needs assistance dealing with the physical side effects of withdrawal, having professional help for PAWS symptoms also proves beneficial.
PAWS symptoms often happen over a period of a few days and may occur for several months.
Side effects related to PAWS can include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Difficulty focusing
- Cloudy thinking
- Sleep disturbances
- Decreased appetite
- Lack of energy
- Low libido
Should a Person Detox From Alcohol at Home?
Sometimes people let fear of leaving home to complete detoxification from alcohol keep them from seeking help. They try to quit drinking cold turkey at home without any supervision or assistance. These people typically find themselves unprepared for the challenge of the physical and emotional side effects that can accompany withdrawal.
When detoxing at home alone, the temptation to give up the attempt to become sober happens quickly for many people. They find the process of detoxing overpowering and make a fear-based decision to start drinking again. The fact that they are alone in their effort to stop drinking often makes it that much easier to change their minds because no one is there to help hold them accountable.
If a person is determined to complete detoxification from home, some basic guidelines can prove helpful. The first step involves doing a sweep of the house to remove all alcohol and any products that contain alcohol, such as mouthwash or cough syrup. It’s a lot easier not to give in to an urge to drink when no alcohol is available in the home.
Because detoxification takes several days, a person needs to make sure they have time planned for it. Taking time off from work, school, and other regular responsibilities should be cleared ahead of time.
Keep in mind that sobriety consists of a process. Some days prove easier than others. Often a person finds they just need to get through one day, one hour, or one craving. Putting their mind on that helps them focus on each moment as it happens, rather than becoming overwhelmed by the entirety of the recovery process.
The Importance of Medical Care in the Home
The most important guideline for a person who decides to detox from alcohol at home involves having professional assistance. Many companies provide in-home medical services that can prove invaluable during the detox process. Nurses can visit and stay in the home in shifts, and some doctors offer in-home visits for their patients.
Having access to medical care, particularly the kind that stays in the home for several days, helps ensure a person has the clinical insight and care they require. Nurses and doctors can identify any side effects that occur during withdrawal and provide necessary medications to help ease the symptoms. These medical professionals also offer accountability by being with someone 24/7, thus making it more difficult for them to sneak a drink or try to give up on their recovery.
Drug Detox in Your Home in California
If you are ready to make the brave decision to face your addiction to alcohol, MD Home Detox can help you achieve the first step. We offer round-the-clock nursing care in your home and supervision of your detox by a doctor. Our service provides confidentiality and the comfort of detoxing in your own home.
Call MD Home Detox today at (888) 592-8541 or click here to email us for information on how to get started.