While alcohol is legal for people of age in the U.S. and relatively easy to obtain, it is nonetheless a dangerous and addictive substance. Sadly, many thousands of people pass away each year from causes related to alcohol use. If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol dependence, know that effective resources are available to help.
You may be wondering if it is safe to detox from alcohol at home or whether professional support is needed. To explore these questions further and get information about a quality alcohol detox center in the San Antonio area, contact The Right Step Hill Country. Our knowledgeable staff can answer your questions at 1.844.675.1628 or via online message.
Alcohol Detox at Home: Tips for Safety
For those physically dependent on alcohol, withdrawal can include side effects as severe as hallucinations and seizures. Detoxing at a treatment center is thus often best, but if that truly isn’t possible, cutting back gradually and methodically is the safest option; here are some tips:
- Even if you detox at home, ask your doctor to help you personalize a workable quitting timeline.
- Before you begin reducing drinks, take stock. Keep a one-week log in which you write down every drink you have, when you drink it, and how many units of alcohol it contains.
- Cutting back your intake in 10% increments is a good strategy. Thus, if you’ve been drinking 30 units daily, try drinking only 27 units on the first day of cutting back. Allow your body to adjust to the reduced level for four days, then cut back another 10% on the fifth day; continue in this fashion.
- If you begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms, you may cut back too quickly. Return to the amount that didn’t cause withdrawal for a week, then try cutting back again. You can also try 5% reductions instead of 10% reductions.
- In general, it’s possible to stop drinking entirely once you’ve safely reduced to less than ten units of alcohol per day. If you experience an emergency like a seizure, double vision, hallucinations, instability, or confusion, seek medical help immediately.
- Seek support from friends or family by telling them about your goals. A loved one might also hold onto your alcohol or measure your drinks to ensure they’re within an agreed-on amount.
- Exercise, eat a balanced diet, and take a Vitamin B1 supplement.
What Benefits Can You Gain From An Alcohol Detox Center?
At a center like Hill Country, you’ll undergo detox with the enormous benefit of medical supervision. This means a doctor will regularly check your vitals and help keep you comfortable. Hill Country strives not to use medication to reduce withdrawal symptoms if possible, but exceptions may be made if there are signs of danger, exceptions may be made.
Following detox, individual therapy becomes the main thrust of alcohol use disorder treatment. Through evidence-based interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical-behavioral therapy, you will learn skills for coping with triggers to drink and explore the basis of your addiction. If a dual diagnosis exists, meaning a mental health concern like depression or PTSD alongside your substance abuse, you will receive treatment for both issues simultaneously. This helps reduce the chances that the two issues can feed into one another going forward.
In addition to short-term individual care, treatment will address your longer-term safety and health through social support, meaning you’ll exit the treatment program with a strong understanding of maintaining your sobriety going forward. For instance, you may be introduced to options like sober living housing and 12-step peer support meetings.
Learn More About Effective Alcohol Detox at Hill Country Near San Antonio Today
While getting free from alcohol abuse is never easy, it’s worthwhile. You can significantly increase your life expectancy, improve relationships, and regain control of your personal and professional life. Contact Hill Country online or call 1.844.675.1628 to take the first steps toward freedom from alcohol dependence.