In addiction recovery, detoxification is an essential step. It’s the first step you take toward sobriety and wellness. If you’re struggling with drug or alcohol dependence, you might think about detoxing from home, but is it safe to do so?
Detoxing from drugs and alcohol has unique challenges and considerations. For example, symptoms can be severe and sometimes even life-threatening. Even if you’re withdrawing from something that doesn’t have potentially severe symptoms, you still face a high risk of relapse during the detox and withdrawal period.
What Is Drug Detox?
Drug detox or detoxification is the process your body goes through to remove toxins and harmful substances that have accumulated because of substance use or addiction. It’s usually the first step to overcome dependence and achieve sobriety.
During detox, your body goes through withdrawal. It’s trying to adjust to no longer having the presence of the substance it depends on. Withdrawal symptoms specifically depend on the drug type, duration and intensity of use, and individual factors like metabolism and overall health. Symptoms can range from somewhat uncomfortable to severely distressing physically and mentally.
Detox can occur in rehab and medical facilities or at home, but this should still include medical supervision.
Medical detox often involves using medications to help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings, which then makes the process safer and more comfortable for you.
Drug detox can last anywhere between a few days, a few weeks, or longer depending on factors like substance type, dependence severity and individual health factors.
Detoxing is only the first step in the recovery process. To achieve recovery, you typically continue on to rehab after you’re fully detoxed, during which time you address underlying addiction causes and develop strategies to maintain long-term sobriety.
Symptoms of Drug Detox
There’s a lot of variation in the symptoms of drug detox depending on factors like the type of drug, the intensity and duration of use, and individual differences in health and metabolism. Common symptoms can include:
- Physical symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Sweating
- Headaches
- Muscle aches and pains
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Tremors or shaking
- Changes in appetite or weight loss
- Psychological symptoms
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Restlessness
- Problems concentrating
- Insomnia or other sleep problems
- In severe cases, delusions or hallucinations
- Drug cravings
- Strong urges to use it again
Symptom severity and duration vary by person. They can depend on factors like the frequency and amount of drug use, whether you have underlying mental or medical health conditions and if you have any other substances in your body.
Some individuals may experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome or PAWS, which includes lingering symptoms like mood swings, sleep disturbances or anxiety that can last for weeks or months after the acute detox period.
The Most Dangerous Things to Detox From
Detoxing from certain substances can be especially challenging and dangerous.
Alcohol withdrawal, while not a drug, can be life-threatening—especially when severe dependence is involved. Symptoms can include delirium tremens (DTs) with hallucinations, seizures, rapid heartbeat, and severe confusion. DTs can lead to death without medical supervision.
Benzodiazepines, like Xanax and Valium, can also lead to severe withdrawal symptoms like hallucinations, seizures and psychosis.
The Risks of Detoxing at Home
Detoxing at home can have potential risks, including:
- Severe withdrawal symptoms requiring medical attention.
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances because diarrhea, vomiting and sweating are common. If you’re dehydrated or have an imbalance of electrolytes, it can cause dizziness, weakness, problems with heart rhythm and kidney damage.
- Pre-existing medical complications can raise the risks of detoxing at home, such as psychiatric disorders, heart disease or diabetes.
- Without access to medications or behavioral therapies to manage cravings and symptoms, you’re more likely to return to substance use to try and alleviate your discomfort.
- Detoxing can be emotionally distressing, and you might experience intense psychological symptoms.
- You may struggle to maintain motivation and stick to your detox plan without external support and encouragement.
- Trying to detox at home can delay or prevent you from getting professional treatment for a substance use disorder.
Medical Detox Benefits
Medical detox occurs under the supervision and care of medical professionals. Benefits of this approach, which can occur on an inpatient or outpatient basis, include:
- Safety: Healthcare professionals can closely monitor you, ensuring that complications or medical emergencies are addressed promptly. This medical monitoring significantly lowers the risk of severe or life-threatening symptoms or complications.
- Medication management: A medical detox program will often use medicines to treat withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings, making the experience not only safer but more comfortable.
- Individualized care: In a medical detox program, you receive tailored treatment to meet your needs. Healthcare professionals will thoroughly assess the right care level and develop detox protocols personalized to you.
- Monitoring and support: During a medical detox, you’ll receive continuous monitoring and support from medical staff. They’ll assess your vital signs and symptoms and help provide emotional support and reassurance throughout detox.
- Transitioning to further treatment: Medical detox is an initial step in your recovery journey. Once you complete detox, you are usually transitioned to further treatment, like an inpatient or outpatient rehab program. There, you’ll receive counseling, comprehensive care and support.
- Reduced relapse risk: A medical detox will minimize the risk of relapse, providing you with the tools and support you need to effectively manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. When physical dependence is addressed in a controlled environment, it can help you achieve a stable foundation for your ongoing recovery.
Overall, while detoxing at home is possible, it’s not recommended. There are too many risks, and a safe, supportive medical environment is a better choice. A medical detox program prioritizes your safety and comfort so you can set the stage for a sustainable long-term recovery.
Please contact our team if you’d like to learn about medical detox or other addiction treatment programs.
