Detoxing is the first step on the road to recovery from alcohol and substance use disorders (SUDs). Some people believe that they can complete this first step in the comfort of their homes. However, you need to be aware of the dangers of at-home detox and how it could create unnecessary risks.
What is At-Home Detox?
At-home detox is the process of detoxing the body from alcohol and drugs when you want to stop misusing substances. Some people believe they can undergo detox at home because they may feel too embarrassed to seek outside help.
Yet, breaking the addiction cycle requires abstaining from alcohol and drugs. When you are at home, it can be very tempting to drink or use just once more. Often, people quickly backslide into their addictive tendencies without any success.
Another concern associated with at-home detox is the extent of withdrawal symptoms you could experience. While initially, these might seem mild, the longer you go without alcohol or drugs, the more intense the withdrawal symptoms can become.
Furthermore, the longer you misuse alcohol and drugs, the frequency of use, and the amount taken all influence the extent of withdrawal symptoms. As a result, certain withdrawal symptoms could be life-threatening.
Symptoms of Withdrawal in Detox
Everyone will experience withdrawal symptoms in detox as the body attempts to purge itself of alcohol and substances. Some of the more common symptoms you could experience are:
- Insomnia
- Headaches and Fever
- Muscle Spasms
- Abdominal Cramping
- Excessive Sweating
- Uncontrolled Shaking
- Seizures
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Night Terrors
- Body Aches and Pains
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Mood Swings
- Anxiety
- Intense Cravings
- Depression
- Thoughts of Self-Harm
It is essential to remember the extent of the symptoms will vary based on your alcohol or substance use history.
The Dangers of At-Home Detox
One of the primary dangers of at-home detox is not having medical supervision during the detox process. For example, what would happen if you had a seizure or delirium tremens? How would you manage cravings or thoughts of self-harm?
In certain situations, your withdrawal symptoms could leave you unconscious or cause you to split into a coma. There is also the risk of cardiac arrest and respiratory failure that could result in death.
Unfortunately, most individuals that attempt at-home detox are not successful. Their withdrawal symptoms become so intense and severe that they cannot manage them on their own. Instead, they return to drinking or using drugs to alleviate the symptoms.
Benefits of Medically-Supervised Detox
The main benefit of medically supervised detox is having access to 24-hour medical staff and medical care. In addition, you have a team of medical professionals and addiction treatment specialists available to assist you through the detox process.
They also help alleviate and reduce the intensity and severity of withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol and certain substance withdrawal can be treated using medication-assisted treatment. Various, non-addictive drugs can be administered to help lessen the extent of withdrawal symptoms you experience.
Another benefit of medically supervised detox is you can focus on your recovery without outside distractions. Any influences associated with your addiction are removed. For example, at home, you may have a specific area you drank or used drugs. By detoxing in a facility away from home, you will not have the temptations you would at home.
Additionally, you will not have the added stress of being around family or friends that misuse substances. It is far too easy to give in when you attempt to detox at home when friends or family members entice you to drink or use drugs.
Furthermore, medically supervised detox provides you access to the treatment facility’s amenities, such as:
- Catered Meals
- Exercise Equipment
- Group Therapy Sessions
- Peer Support
- Individual Counseling
- Mediation and Holistic Healing Methods
Most importantly, medically supervised detox allows you to lay a solid foundation to build upon as you progress on your recovery journey. As you near the end of your detox, you will be able to plan your next steps.
For example, you may decide to transition to an inpatient residential treatment program. Or you could decide on an intensive outpatient program that better suits your needs. Some people move into sober living homes while undergoing an outpatient program to further avoid outside distractions so they can concentrate on their recovery.
As you can see, plenty of options are available to help ensure you receive the appropriate treatment for your addiction. Best of all, you will not have to make these decisions alone, as you will have support from the medical staff and addiction treatment specialists at the medically supervised detox treatment facility.
Detox in A Safe and Professional Setting in Nashville, TN
When you are ready to start detox from alcohol or drugs, you can avoid the dangers of at-home detox with medically supervised detox at Detox Nashville. We provide access to personalized detox and addiction treatment programs you can customize to suit your needs. To speak with one of our addiction treatment specialists or to start your detox today, please feel free to contact us.
