How to Detox from Alcohol at Home

Your doctor or healthcare provider will assess you to determine whether you’re suitable for a home detox and offer insights into managing possible symptoms. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Alcohol detox can be a dangerous process, which is why it’s typically best handled by a medical professional at a detox or rehab center. Alcohol detoxification involves withdrawal, and withdrawal involves physical symptoms.

Reach out for support

According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, administered by the U.S. federal government, about 20% of adults 60 to 64 and about 10% of those 65 and older say they binge drink. Binge drinking is typically defined as consuming four or more drinks within two hours for women and five or more drinks within two hours for men. Chronic alcohol use also can damage the brain and exacerbate the effects of certain diseases. Research has shown that excessive alcohol use can diminish white matter in the brain. White matter lies under the brain’s gray matter and is the network of nerve fibers that transmit information throughout the brain. Withdrawal and detox are first steps, but further treatment and support is usually needed for long term sobriety.

Inpatient and Residential Treatment

• With alcohol out of the equation, though, these chemicals cause withdrawal symptoms.
• Some people experience a severe form of alcohol withdrawal known as DTs.
• For their safety, stopping alcohol use should be handled under medical supervision.

Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues. Maybe you’ve never been interested in logging your innermost thoughts, but journaling can be a great tool to track your feelings as you work on quitting alcohol. By avoiding alcohol, you’re taking a big step toward improving physical health.

When to Consider Medical Alcohol Detox

Your healthcare provider will recommend and encourage treatment for alcohol use disorder. How long it takes to detox from alcohol depends on your unique circumstances, but it generally takes three to seven days for the body to clear out alcohol. How long you’ve been drinking and the severity of your drinking will impact the duration of detox. While cirrhosis scars from excessive drinking are irreversible, quitting Alcohol Detox – Safely Detoxing from Alcohol alcohol and leading a healthier lifestyle can help your liver heal from alcohol-related liver disease. MAP relies on harm reduction, a model that emphasizes decreasing the negative effects of substance use without requiring abstinence. Linde said harm reduction is better understood in relation to intravenous drug use that can lead to communicable diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis C and other infections.

• Alcohol withdrawal causes a range of symptoms when a person with alcohol use disorder stops or significantly decreases their alcohol intake.
• Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, hormones that reduce stress and improve mood.
• It can be helpful to write down your reasons for quitting and the difficulty of withdrawal while it is fresh in your mind.
• Slowly tapering off alcohol is the safest way to naturally overcome alcohol withdrawal, and many at-home remedies can help you cope with mild withdrawal symptoms.
• The detoxification timeline varies based on the severity of the alcohol addiction.

• In May, Bruce and other clients joined staffers in a birthday celebration for Lisa.
• Severe and complicated alcohol withdrawal requires treatment in a hospital — sometimes in the ICU.
• In 2023, 30 per cent of men and 26 per cent of women surveyed said they wanted to reduce the amount of alcohol they drink this year according to research by Alcohol Change UK.
• This can cause seizures and delirium tremens, a severe form of withdrawal marked by tremors and hallucinations.
• Unveiling the significance of the green ribbon and its impact on support and understanding.

How To Safely Detox From Alcohol At Home