Why Alcohol Detox at Home Can Be Dangerous — and What to Do Instead

People struggling with alcoholism often consider alcohol detox at home, whether they fear the stigma of seeking professional help or believe they can navigate through difficult times alone. We can’t stress enough how dangerous detoxing from alcohol at home can be and how devastating the consequences could be if anything went wrong. Receiving help from specialized facilities, like Tranquility Recovery Center, can ensure the safety, comfort, and support you need to go through this challenging period of your life. Reach out to our addiction treatment center San Fernando Valley to learn about our medical detox program and how it can help you get and stay on the right path.

If you are seeking to learn how to safely detox from alcohol at home, let us set some realistic expectations. Detoxing from alcohol at home will never be as safe as if you were to opt for residential treatment Los Angeles. Only when medications are administered to reduce the discomfort, when professionals are present to react to any potential danger, and when facilities are ensuring isolation from the outside world can the biggest and most dangerous risks related to alcohol withdrawal be avoided. Keep reading to learn about a safe alternative to alcohol detox at home

A man drinking alcohol
Can you detox from alcohol at home? It’s almost impossible to do alcohol detox at home safely. Instead, seek professional help.

The Dangers of Alcohol Detox at Home

Simply put, alcohol detox is the first stage of your recovery process. It refers to ceasing to use alcohol. By not consuming alcohol, your body starts cleansing itself of it and ensuring you’re no longer under the influence of alcohol. This process may appear straightforward at first, making you believe that you can safely detox from alcohol at home. However, once you stop drinking after a long period of chronic consumption, you will experience an array of withdrawal symptoms that can range from mild to severe and from uncomfortable to dangerous. 

The Risks of Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment at Home

The majority of withdrawal symptoms are only uncomfortable, but some of them can bring about serious health risks, making at home alcohol detox a dangerous path to take. These symptoms can range from mild to serious and may include

  • Feeling anxious, nervous, or easily annoyed
  • Headaches
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Excessive sweating
  • Upset stomach
  • Fast or pounding heartbeat
  • High blood pressure
  • Feeling hot or feverish
  • Shaky hands or body
  • Feeling confused
  • Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there
  • Seizures
  • Severe confusion or agitation (delirium tremens)
A woman experiencing problems with alcohol detox at home.
How long is alcohol withdrawal? Alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually start 6 to 24 hours after you stop or cut back on prolonged and heavy drinking.  They can last a few days.

Among the most dangerous risks related to going through alcohol withdrawal at home are the risk of accidental relapse and the risk of alcohol poisoning. When you experience severe withdrawal symptoms, you are likely to lean into anything that can relieve your discomfort or pain. It’s not unusual for people who do alcohol detox at home to go back to alcohol consumption, destroying the progress they’ve made so far. Furthermore, they tend to consume even more than before, significantly increasing the risk of accidental alcohol poisoning

These risks and dangers can be avoided by opting for alcohol addiction treatment Los Angeles. While some of the unwanted and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms can occur within a facility, there, you could count on professional assistance and medical help if needed. You cannot go through a medical alcohol detox at home. Only within a professional facility can you receive medications that will ease the withdrawal process and make your detox safe and comfortable.

Why Professional Alcohol Detox Is Safer

We can understand the allure of alcohol detox at home, as it can seem like a private and convenient option. However, it can be extremely dangerous. Withdrawal symptoms can quickly escalate into life-threatening conditions that only professionals can successfully manage. This makes professional assistance essential for the process of detox.

You Get Safety and Comfort 

Withdrawal symptoms during the detox stage of alcohol rehab are unavoidable. The majority of these symptoms are mild and uncomfortable but manageable. However, there are more serious issues, including seizures, hallucinations, or high blood pressure, that will require immediate medical attention, which will not be available if you choose to detox at home.

If you opt for a professional detox program, like the one offered by Tranquility Recovery Center, you can count on 24/7 medical supervision. Our experienced staff will monitor your vital signs and manage severe withdrawal symptoms if they arise. We will ensure your safety throughout the detox process. This level of care is simply not possible if you are trying to detox from alcohol at home. 

When a facility specializes in alcohol detox Los Angeles patients sometimes need, you can benefit from a safer environment where help is always available. Professional detox does not just keep you safer; it makes the whole experience more comfortable and manageable

Pills you won't be able to use during alcohol detox at home
If instead of alcohol detox at home, you choose a professional one, you can count on prescribed medications to ease your withdrawal process.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Will Ease Your Struggles

Another major argument for professional alcohol detox is safer access to medication-assisted treatment, or MAT for short. Today, there are prescription medications that can ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and lower the risks of serious complications. They can make the difference between manageable withdrawal symptoms and dangerous ones. 

If you attempt alcohol detox at home, you will not have access to these medications. They can only be prescribed by licensed medical staff. Without MAT, you might find the withdrawal process overwhelming and end up relapsing. Sometimes, you might drink even more heavily than before, increasing the risk of alcohol poisoning and other severe health consequences

If you choose to get help from facilities that offer medical detox Los Angeles CA locals count on, you are ensuring that you will receive prescription medications that will ease your withdrawal process, make it safe, and provide you with the best outcomes. This type of support at the beginning of rehab makes it more likely that you will successfully finish detox and move on peacefully to the next stage of recovery. 

You Deserve Emotional and Psychological Support

Although we are talking about detox as a process of cleansing your body from alcohol, it is more than just a physical one. It takes a major emotional and mental toll, requiring much emotional and social support. In addition to physical withdrawal symptoms, you will likely experience feelings of anxiety, depression, irritability, and hopelessness. For many, these emotional symptoms are even more challenging than the physical ones

When you detox from alcohol at home, you are typically isolated from others. No one is there to comfort you or listen to you in hard times. In contrast, when you choose professional detox centers, you’re also choosing emotional and psychological support every step of the way. For example, at Tranquility Recovery Center, licensed counselors and support staff are available to guide you through emotional ups and downs and ensure you do not feel alone on your rehab journey.

A member of the medical staff.
Tranquility Recovery Center staff know how to flush out alcohol from the body safely and prepare you for the following steps of alcohol rehab.

What to Do Instead: Safe Detox at Tranquility Recovery Center

Rather than risking the dangers of trying to figure out how to detox from alcohol at home, put your trust in a reliable facility with much experience in alcohol detox. Tranquility Recovery Center offers one of the most trusted and compassionate alcohol detox programs you won’t be able to find elsewhere.

Opt for an Effective Inpatient Alcohol Detox Program

We at Tranquility Recovery Center strive to provide a safe, comfortable, and effective alcohol detox experience. Inpatient alcohol detox is the safest choice because it provides a structured and supportive environment that allows you to focus entirely on healing. 

To ensure successful detox and sustainable results, we start by providing a comprehensive medical evaluation to create personalized detox plans tailored to your unique needs. Once you join us, our compassionate professionals will guide you and adjust their approach and your treatment to ensure you feel well taken care of. 

Our personalized detox plans will meet your needs, specific challenges and triggers, and any specific health concerns. Detoxifying at the Tranquility Recovery Center also means you are never alone. Our medical staff is on-site 24/7 to monitor your progress, adjust treatments, and manage any potential complications. Our team includes experienced physicians, nurses, therapists, and addiction specialists. They all work together to support every aspect of your rehab.

Those searching for whole-person care turn to Tranquility Recovery Center, knowing we offer a warm, welcoming environment, understanding, and compassion. We have your best interests in mind and equally treat your body, mind, and spirit.

Make Sure to Adhere to Your Follow-Up Treatments

Alcohol detox is but a first step in your recovery journey. You will require ongoing treatment and support to remain sober for life. To help you on this journey, we at Tranquility Recovery Center offer a full range of follow-up treatments, including

  • Inpatient programs: A highly structured and intense treatment for those who require more support and monitoring in the first stages of their recovery. Like inpatient detox treatment, it requires that you stay within the facility for an extended period of time, taking advantage of our mental health services and fully focusing on your healing. 
  • Outpatient programs: Outpatient alcohol rehab Los Angeles is less structured and does not require staying over within a facility. You get to maintain your daily routine, and you only occasionally come to the facility to receive your treatment. It offers flexibility while maintaining intense support whenever you need it. 
  • Aftercare plans: To ensure you feel supported even after your inpatient or outpatient program is done, close to the end of your rehab, we start developing an aftercare plan with you. An aftercare plan can include continuous psychotherapy, joining support groups, or lifestyle changes.

Regardless of which program you choose, you can always count on 24/7 medical care, assistance from experienced staff, and personalized treatment plans. Tranquility Recovery Center will develop a program that meets your needs and sets a solid foundation for lifelong sobriety.

Are you wondering: Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover rehab? Many insurance plans often cover alcohol detox and follow-up services fully or partially. You can always contact your insurance provider or reach out to us for assistance in verifying your insurance coverage. 

A professional explaining what happens after 5 days of no alcohol.
A professional can explain how to alcohol detox at home, but it is still recommended that you rely on expert help and support.

Take the First Step Toward Sobriety

It might seem like alcohol withdrawal is something you can go through alone, but there are many hidden dangers of doing an alcohol detox at home. Instead of putting yourself at risk, reach out to a reliable facility that can guide you through this process and support you every step of the way. Tranquility Recovery Center can ensure comfort and safety, as well as genuine care. We can help you find inner strength to fight alcohol addiction and provide assistance whenever you need it. Call us and take the first step toward sobriety. 

You Have Questions

We Have Answers

At Tranquility Recovery Center, we offer treatment for a wide range of addictions, including alcohol, opioids, prescription drugs, and illicit substances. Our team tailors each program to meet individual needs, focusing on both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery.

At Tranquility Recovery Center, we offer treatment for a wide range of addictions, including alcohol, opioids, prescription drugs, and illicit substances. Our team tailors each program to meet individual needs, focusing on both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery.

At Tranquility Recovery Center, we offer treatment for a wide range of addictions, including alcohol, opioids, prescription drugs, and illicit substances. Our team tailors each program to meet individual needs, focusing on both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery.

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