Can I Detox at Home?

Detox is typically a critical first step in the addiction treatment journey, but it can be painful, uncomfortable, and even dangerous in some situations. Despite the risks and dangers, many people still sometimes wonder if they can detox at home. While some do, the more crucial question is whether or not it is safe to detox at home. More often than not, the answer is no. Detoxing at home can be extremely dangerous and is not recommended. Plus, there are far greater benefits to detoxing at a facility than at home. 

West Coast Recovery Centers provides an integrative approach to treatment for those struggling with addiction. That includes many services that can help people heal and achieve sustainable sobriety. Detox is the first step of treatment, but even before that individuals must accept their struggle with addiction. For more information about getting help for yourself or a loved one, contact West Coast Recovery Centers today. 

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

It may be prudent to discuss SUD more in-depth before we answer the question of whether people should detox at home. SUD occurs when someone can no longer control their alcohol or drug use, ultimately leading to several problems, health issues, and the inability to function day-to-day. There is no singular cause of SUD. Instead, varying factors contribute to one's risk of developing it, including: 

• A family history of SUD 
• Pre-existing mental health conditions
• Environmental factors 
• Social influences 
• Early exposure to trauma

Detox will differ depending on the type and severity of the substance used. That typically includes alcohol and other drugs. 

SUD and Co-Occurring Disorders

AUD is a type of SUD described as a "medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.” Drinking at an early age, genetics, and social factors all contribute to the development of AUD.

Another common form of SUD is drug addiction, which is defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) as a “chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences.” As a brain disorder, it typically involves “functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control,” which can have long-lasting effects on a person. 

Again, the type of substance and the severity of the addiction will impact the person's treatment and recovery journey, including the steps they take during detox. 

What Is Detox?

Substance use impacts how we think, feel, and act, along with disturbing how the brain and body naturally function. When you use drugs or alcohol for an extended time, your body becomes accustomed to substance use. Detox is when the body rids itself of all drugs and alcohol. However, when abstaining from drugs and alcohol, the body must adjust to the absence of substances. Unfortunately, the process can be uncomfortable, due significantly to the withdrawal symptoms that occur. 

Withdrawal Symptoms

The symptoms you experience during withdrawal will be far and wide. Reducing the use of substances may not only be uncomfortable, but it can also be dangerous. Of course, some factors will contribute to the severity of these withdrawal symptoms. That includes the type of substance and length of the addiction. Some withdrawal symptoms you may experience during alcohol or drug detox include: 

• Anxiety
• Sweating 
• Insomnia
• Feeling fatigued 
• Rapid heart rate
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Intense cravings for substances 
• Agitation and extreme irritability 
• Confusion and cognitive difficulties 
• Difficult concentrating and impaired thinking 

In more severe cases, individuals may also experience seizures, visual and auditory hallucinations, delirium, and hypertension. 

Do People Detox at Home?

While some people do detox at home, it is not recommended, especially for people withdrawing from substances that could potentially cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. However, individuals with mild withdrawal symptoms may be able to detox at home. That might include people with mild alcohol use or those trying to stop using nicotine. Unfortunately, the vast majority of individuals who require intense treatment should detox at home. 

When You Should Not Detox at Home

If a substance can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, seeking professional detox services becomes critical. As mentioned, severe cases of withdrawal symptoms consist of seizures, severe cognitive impairment, and hallucinations. Symptoms such as these require professional medical services. More specifically, individuals experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal may be at an increased risk for delirium tremens (DTs), which is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal.

Benefits of Detoxing at a Facility

Detoxing at a facility can be beneficial even for those not at risk for severe withdrawal symptoms. These professional detox services often provide the following: 

• 24/7 medical supervision and care 
• Psychosocial and peer support 
• Comprehensive assessments and tailored detox plans 
• Access to specialized therapies that can help facilitate the detox process
• Structured routines, environments, and schedules that keep people on track during detox

These are just a few benefits of detoxing in a facility. Of course, as mentioned, the first step is recognizing and acknowledging the problem and seeking professional help. For more information regarding addiction, treatment, and detox, speak with a medical provider or addiction recovery specialist today. 

Many individuals struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) often feel alone in their journey. They may also not recognize their struggle with addiction or fear seeking professional help. In those instances, these individuals may opt for detoxing at home. While some cases are mild enough that it is possible to detox at home, in other cases withdrawal symptoms are so severe that detoxing at home becomes extremely dangerous if not fatal. In those cases, it becomes imperative that people seek treatment with a facility that provides professional and medical detox services. For more information regarding treatment and detox, contact West Coast Recovery Centers by visiting our website or calling (760) 492-6509 today.