Table of Contents
When you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, there’s come a point when you decide to take charge of your life and make the right decisions. You become tired of blacking out, waking up extremely hungover, disappointing your friends and family, and sabotaging your work life. You want to take a stand. Feeling that drive to change is the first step toward recovery. But how do you detox your body from years of substance abuse?
Addiction can take over various aspects of your life and leave you and your loved ones with a sense of profound hopelessness. A detox may seem like the only way out. However, it is important to note that detox at home can be dangerous when done incorrectly. Participating in a detoxification program at a rehab facility is normally the best option, usually followed by an addiction treatment plan.
The Risks of Detoxing at Home
While it may seem simple, detoxing at home isn’t easy and is not for everyone. When you stop consuming drugs or alcohol cold turkey, the body reacts with serious withdrawal symptoms. These can be painful, hard to manage, and last for some time. In the absence of any medication to help address the symptoms, the process can become even more difficult. Withdrawal can include both physical and emotional symptoms, such as:
- Vomiting and nausea
- Seizures
- Cramps and stomach pain
- Hallucinations
- Mood swings
- Seizures
- Heart palpitationsand increased blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches
- Depression and anxiety
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Increased sensitivity to pain
Additionally, if you’ve used multiple substances at once – such as combining drugs or prescription medications with alcohol – the withdrawal symptoms may be even more unpredictable.
The Benefits of Detoxing at Home
If you are dealing with mild to moderate addiction or a fairly new addiction, detoxing at home may be beneficial. When detoxing at home, you can feel peace and comfort knowing that you are your loved ones who will support you throughout.
It also allows you to stay anonymous and protect your confidentiality, which is a concern for many people when going to a rehab facility. Lastly, you don’t have to worry about any financial obligations since the process doesn’t require the services of a professional.
Detoxing at Home Safely and Responsibly
A lot of people try to detox at home without much success. But others have successfully had a detoxifying journey on their own.
Before you decide to detox at home, it is important to consult with a doctor or an addiction specialist to help determine where you stand and what decision will serve you best. If you have the green light to detox at home, it is crucial to do it safely. Listed below are some key factors to keep in mind.
Get Rid Of The Triggers
This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s the first step for safely detoxing at home. When you initially start to experience withdrawal symptoms, you will be drawn to satisfy your cravings. This is when you should avoid any temptation by removing the drugs or alcohol that you usually have on hand.
Make Time For The Detox
Detoxing in a safe setting where you are not bombarded with external responsibilities is imperative. If you want to make the most out of your home detoxing journey, you should clear your schedule and stay from all the distractions.
This will include taking time off from work, postponing any responsibilities, and completely avoiding people who may tempt you into indulgence. Stay close to your loved ones so you can receive medical attention on time if necessary.
Create an Encouraging Environment
Detox can be quite overwhelming, but that shouldn’t stop you. Relapses are common, so you should create an environment that pushes you to improve. If you feel stressed, take a long hot bath, or indulge in a hearty meal. You could also start an at-home fitness routine that will make your body more active and help you combat depressive spells. Give yourself daily and weekly targets, and reward yourself for achieving them.
Ask for Support
Just because you are going through the journey of detoxing at home doesn’t mean you have to be alone. Request a family member or friend to check on you so you can stay safe and consistent throughout the process. Ask them to monitor your progress and hold you accountable if you miss a target.
Hydrate your Body
Substance withdrawal results in a range of symptoms, including nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and loss of appetite. These symptoms are most serious between 24 and 72 hours after the last time you consumed drugs or alcohol and normally impact your ability to consume food.
Take lots of fluids during this time since they will rehydrate your body and flush out the toxins. Drink lemon and mint water, bone broth, fresh fruit juice, and ice pops for increased hydration.
Eat the Right Foods
Once you have the energy to eat, it is fundamental that you consume a healthy and balanced diet rather than satisfying your cravings. Eat different foods from various food groups and try to hit your daily recommended nutrient targets. Add fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fatty acids, and lean protein to your diet. It is important to follow a diet that includes:
- Fruits such as lemons, limes, and oranges
- Vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, beetroots, carrots, and sweet potatoes
- Leafy greens like chard, alfalfa, spinach, and kale
- Ginger and garlic
- Nuts and seeds, such as sunflower seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, walnuts, and pistachios
- Omega-3 oils and healthy fats from sources such as fish oil, avocadoes, and cod liver oil
- Virgin olive and coconut oils
- Lean protein like chicken and fish
Take Supplements
Some minerals and vitamins are beneficial for removing toxins from the body and can speed up your detox and recovery process. These include B vitamins, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin E, and multivitamins.
Why Choose a Medically-Supervised Addiction Treatment Plan?
Owing to the risks associated with detoxing at home, a better option would be an intensive outpatient program where you can detox under the supervision of medical professionals and receive proper care at the right time. The key benefits of participating in such a program include:
- Flexible scheduling so you can take care of other personal commitments
- Confidential treatment so you don’t have to hide at home and risk your health and safety
- A strong support network so you can maintain a regular connection with your peers and the community
- Training and learning so you can receive lessons on coping skills and apply them to your real life, relationships, and responsibilities
Safely Detoxing and Recovering from Substance Abuse
If you’ve been battling a severe addiction, detoxing at home might not be the best solution. In such a case, you will benefit greatly from a medically-supervised program where your symptoms can be monitored, and help will always be available.
At New Hope Healthcare, we offer evidence-based programs and services to address a range of substance use disorders. Our personalized approach targets all aspects of a person’s health and mental well-being, including co-occurring depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Get in touch with us today and let us know how we can help you in your journey to sobriety at 865-800-0947
