Every year, over 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes, making it the third leading cause of death in the USA after tobacco and poor diet. Over 30% of driving fatalities are related to alcohol. Just like anything, alcohol can be abused, but its abuse usually has severe consequences compared to many other things. Alcohol abuse can take a toll on someone’s social life, health, and work. It doesn’t have to be noticed immediately, but it has a devastating effect that will show itself sooner rather than later. It’s a legal substance, and it can be used responsibly thanks to its anxiolytic effects in various social settings, but it’s very easy for it to become a dangerous substance that causes lethal dependencies. Alcohol addiction is serious and can require professional help in many cases. Detoxing at a luxury or a remote resort may not be an option for many people. It’s possible to start treating your alcohol abuse at home, if you have the will and knowledge to follow through with it, since nothing is more convenient than being able to recover with the support of your family and friends, at the comfort of your own home. Read on to learn more!
What is Self-Detox?
Self-detox means giving up drinking with minimal help. Giving up drinking can be done cold turkey or by tapering. A date is set by the individual to be the date where they quit drinking, either instantly or gradually. It’s best when it’s done with a reliable detox programme that can help you plan steps ahead of time. The more personalized the program is, the easier it will be to follow. Most would steer away from situations that tempt them to drink, whether it’s social or anything else. Various activities, supplements, diets, and exercises are employed to help the individual fight cravings.
It’s highly advisable to speak to your doctor before attempting to quit drinking as some cases may be so severe that they need professional supervision. Many alcoholics may avoid consulting a doctor but only a professional medical opinion can truly assess whether self-detox is an option or not. It’s not recommended for heavy drinkers who avoid going through withdrawal symptoms by drinking more alcohol.
Preparations
It’s crucial to remove all alcoholic beverages from your house, and if you’re tapering off, only keep the ones you’ll use for specific days. Try to make sure your schedule is as clear as possible, as the process can take weeks in certain cases. Just because you’re self-detoxing doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use any outside help. It’s recommended to keep some of your friends or family members in the loop in case you need anything. Make sure you have drinks that help you detoxify your body, like water and natural juices, to make the process go faster. Supplements like vitamin B, niacin, zinc, and magnesium can be used to aid your body in the process.
Cold Turkey
The cold turkey approach is highly inadvisable for those who have been drinking for a long while. It’s considered by many to be the fastest road to recovery. However, the side effects are highly intensified compared to tapering off. Suddenly stopping alcohol is only plausible for those who haven’t reached dangerous levels of addiction. An alcoholic’s body is always expecting alcohol; stopping it suddenly can cause the body to go into a state of shock where withdrawal symptoms start manifesting. If your addiction isn’t severe and you prefer to quit cold turkey, always make sure you have a companion who is available the whole time, not to mention medications that can be used to combat some withdrawal symptoms.
Tapering Off
This is the most common method used to fight alcoholism, as it gives the body subtle warnings that help it start to get accustomed to less alcohol intake. This doesn’t mean that you won’t experience withdrawal symptoms, but they can be managed if you know what you’re doing. It’s inexpensive and efficient, making it a viable option for many. Use drinks that contain low amounts of alcohol like beer. Keep reducing your intake over the course of a week or two until you stop completely. Make sure you have your friends or family regularly check up on you to make sure everything is going fine.
Commitment
Getting sober and detoxifying will only work if you have the will and commitment to turn your life around. If you don’t have the will, detoxing will only keep getting worse as you keep doing it. Recovery from alcohol addiction is directly linked with the willingness of the individual. Having someone force you to detox is counterproductive and would only make your addiction worse in the long run.
Just like any addiction, fighting it is always hardest at the beginning. It may take weeks, months, or even years until you’re finally able to control your addiction, but the most important thing is to never give up the fight. Cravings may always be there, but you’ll learn how to perceive them differently over time.
