Do you drink more than you mean to regularly, want alcohol so much you can’t focus, or have problems in your personal relationships because of your drinking? You might be among the over 19 million Americans who struggle with substance abuse.
Recognizing you have a problem and deciding to take control are the first steps. They’re also among the hardest.
Are you curious about detoxing at home? If so, keep reading and we’ll go over the essential information you need to know.
Addiction and Your Brain
Alcohol and other commonly abused substances, like benzodiazepines (aka benzos), negatively affect your brain. They mimic a powerful neurotransmitter, nicknamed GABA, and slow down your responses.
This is part of the reason people turn to alcohol and drugs to make them feel more at ease. But depriving your brain of these naturally-occurring chemicals creates negative side effects when trying to detox from these substances.
Side Effects of Detoxing
When your brain is deprived of the substances that mimic GABA, it goes through withdrawal. These are just some of the side effects of alcohol and substance withdrawal:
- Shaking
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Nightmares
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
The worst side effects include psychotic events, relapse, and even death.
Detoxing at Home
It’s tempting to think that detoxing from alcohol at home is the easy way out. It seems like a way to save money on expensive medicine and you can stay in the comfort and privacy of your own place.
Staying home and just quitting cold turkey is one way to try detoxing. There are also programs online that try to guide you through the process by tapering off use or even substituting other substances to lessen the symptoms.
As we mentioned, addiction seriously affects your body. The withdrawal symptoms are strong and can be deadly.
Safe Ways to Detox
Trying to quit on your own can be dangerous. Online guides are often inaccurate.
The best way to confront your addiction is with medical supervision. Professionals using verified methods can help guide you through withdrawal and ultimately, help beat your need for alcohol.
You can search for a detox center, like Revive Detox, that offers comprehensive plans to address all of your needs. Even finding support groups or outpatient therapy if you can’t commit to staying at a center.
Getting the Help You Need, Safely
Out of the millions that need treatment, less than 7% get the help they need. While detoxing at home seems like a good idea, it can be extremely dangerous.
Getting professional help is a great first step. It’s not the end of your journey, though.
Consider a comprehensive program to address the root cause of your addiction. Be mindful of everything that you do and remember how far you’ve come to keep yourself from going back.
Detoxing isn’t easy, but it needs to be safe. Stick with tried and true programs that are under professional guidance for best results.
Want to learn more about how to make your health a priority? Check out all of our health articles and start living your best life.
