How to Drug Detox at Home? (2 Main Methods Explained)
Detoxification, or detoxing, is a critical component of recovering from addiction.
Following a thorough investigation, I have stumbled upon a practical and secure approach to detoxification right at your own home.
In this article, I’ll share valuable insight into home drug detox so that you can learn everything about detoxing and how to carry it out from the safety and comfort of your house.
Quick Summary
- Depending on the substance, withdrawal and detoxification may differ in duration and intensity.
- Detoxification is a vital component of addiction treatment, as it works to rid the body of toxic substances and dangerous toxins.
- Those relying on both prescription and over-the-counter drugs in combination with alcohol must also go through an extensive detox process.
What Happens During Detoxification?
During detoxification, the body typically experiences withdrawal symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. These include fatigue, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, physical aches/pains, cravings for the substance used, difficulty sleeping or insomnia, and hallucination [1].
Detox is a critical component of addiction recovery, as it helps to flush out toxic substances and harmful toxins from the system. This gradual process supports an individual in making progress while learning healthier coping skills.
Withdrawal from substance use can be a difficult journey for those who have become dependent on drugs or alcohol, as it often presents with mild to severe withdrawal symptoms.
The intensity of these will vary based on several different factors, such as:
- The number of drugs or alcohol consumed
- The duration of the drug or alcohol abuse problem
- Family history
- Undiagnosed physical or mental health issues
Contrary to popular belief, detox is not only imperative for those with an addiction to illicit drugs. People who are dependent on prescription medications and over-the-counter medications in addition to alcohol are also required to undergo a comprehensive detox process as well.
However, benzodiazepines and other prescription drugs are highly addictive, so it’s best to undergo a medical detox with an addiction specialist and not an at-home drug detox.
The detoxification process eliminates any chemical supply to the body, creating an imbalance that the body struggles to recover from. This leads to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and can differ in intensity for each individual.
What Is The At-Home Detox Program?
The at-home detox program is designed to help individuals safely get through the withdrawal process at home without needing a medical professional to conduct a medically supervised detox.
Home detox programs are often combined with other treatments, such as therapy and medication.
A home detox program aims to provide support while an individual manages the physical, mental, and emotional withdrawal symptoms associated with drug or alcohol use.
How To Detox From Drugs at Home?
To detox from drugs at home, you must first stop consuming any drugs. To successfully reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms, detox drinks are a great way to help your body adjust when quitting.
After conducting extensive research, I have determined that detox drinks can be immensely beneficial in purging toxins from your body by augmenting the natural processes of sweating and urinating.
These beverages also contain essential electrolytes, vitamins, and fluids to nourish you throughout detox.
While it can be successful in removing substances from their body, free detox programs or at-home treatments don’t address why they became addicted in the first place.
Also Read: What’s the Best Home Drug Test?
At-Home Detox Methods
When detoxing from any drug abuse, you have two options: going “cold turkey” and abruptly stopping use or tapering off by gradually decreasing your dosage. Let me explain the details of both methods in greater detail.
Cold Turkey vs. Tapering
Certain substances can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop using them, which is why I strongly recommend tapering off the drug gradually instead of undergoing “cold turkey.”
Here are some examples of drugs that should be discontinued in this manner:
- Opioids, such as fentanyl, OxyContin (oxycodone), and heroin
- Benzodiazepines (or “benzos”), such as Valium (diazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam)
- Alcohol
Alcohol detoxification will take up to a day, unlike a drug detox. Nevertheless, suppose you are heavily dependent on any of these substances and abruptly decide to quit cold turkey.
In that case, there is potential for some severe side effects such as rapid heartbeat rate, hallucinations, or seizures, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [2].
“Still, you can choose to go through a drug detox in various settings. You may choose your home or outpatient, or inpatient rehab. The right option for you depends on many factors.”
– Jennifer Casarella, Medical Director of the Substance Abuse Treatment Program
What Is the Withdrawal Process?
The withdrawal process is the body’s response to a sudden decrease or complete cessation of drug use. This can cause uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous physical, mental, and emotional symptoms.
Therefore, it is fundamental to understand the type of drug withdrawal symptoms you may experience when attempting to undergo your addiction treatment.
Knowing what to expect can help you prepare for the journey and eventually overcome your addiction struggles.
Although the withdrawal process is generally manageable, if your loved one goes through severe symptoms, detox drinks can help ease the symptoms of:
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
Withdrawal and detoxification can vary depending on the drug used, so it’s hard to predict how your loved one would respond to their addiction treatment if they choose to attempt a home-based detox instead of a medical detox.
Read More: What Is the Worst Drug to Detox From?
How To Deal With Drug Detoxification at Home?
To deal with drug detoxification at home, you can drink plenty of fluids to help flush out the toxins from your body. Detox drinks may help alleviate symptoms such as nausea and headaches.
It is also important to get plenty of rest and eat healthy meals. Eating nutrient-rich foods and avoiding junk food will give your body the energy it needs to detox successfully.
If you’re detoxing from alcohol, several products on the market can help reduce withdrawal symptoms. These detox drinks contain vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and amino acids to help stimulate these effects within the body.
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FAQs
Can Detox Drinks Help Me Detox?
Yes, detox drinks can help you detox by easing the drug or alcohol withdrawal process by providing your body with essential vitamins and minerals during detoxification.
What Works Best To Clean Out Your System?
Detox drinks work best to clean out your system, followed by drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and eating healthy meals. These natural detox drinks can help accelerate the detox process by providing your body with the nutrients it needs to detox successfully.
Where Else Can You Detox?
You can detox in a hospital, inpatient detox program, outpatient detox program, or at home.
Detox Safely At Home
It’s no secret that detoxing can be quite uncomfortable for both your physical and mental health.
But with Clear Choice Rescue Cleanse, you’ll find it easier to manage withdrawal symptoms during your cleanse. It provides a soothing experience while still delivering impressive results.
This detox beverage jump-starts certain body processes that filter out and discard toxins.
Many of them act as antioxidants, potentially eliminating free radicals from your bloodstream. If you are detoxing at home, detox drinks could be a beneficial addition to your detox process.
Reference:
- https://americanaddictioncenters.org/drug-detox
- https://www.samhsa.gov/
