Treat Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Safely At Home

Managing Alcohol Withdrawal Safely

Sometimes the anticipation of a negative experience can create exaggerated expectations, preventing a person from moving ahead.  While alcohol detox is an unpleasant step toward becoming clean and sober, it is also an essential step. Avoiding this important first phase of recovery out of fear of the imagined discomfort involved doesn’t take into account how to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms at home with minimal suffering.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be safely managed via a supervised medical detox in the comfort of one’s own home.  There is no need to admit oneself into a detox facility and undergo the process in a sterile, unfamiliar environment.  In fact, many avoid beginning recovery in the first place because they dread suffering through the symptoms in a facility where their privacy might be compromised.  Once one is aware of how to treat alcohol withdrawals at home they will often opt for an at home detox.

Detoxing from Alcohol

Long-term alcohol abuse has the potential to create physical dependency, where the body becomes ill if alcohol is suddenly withdrawn.  This dependency happens as a result of continued alcohol consumption that triggers increased tolerance for the substance. As the body adjusts to the regular ingestion of alcohol it begins to require increasingly higher quantities.  This becomes a vicious cycle, as the individual attempts to chase the positive effects of alcohol he or she once experienced—the release of endorphins that make one feel relaxed, happy, and more socially secure. Eventually, drinking becomes necessary just to avoid the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms that commence when one tries to stop.

One option that should never be considered is approaching alcohol detox alone and unsupervised.  This is because the withdrawal symptoms can be rough, and sometimes unpredictable. Depending on the history and acuity of the addiction, withdrawals can range from mild to severe.  Having a thorough assessment prior to beginning detox is an important first step, where the individual’s overall health and the severity of the alcohol abuse are assessed. Based on these factors a detox plan can be formulated, including medical preparation for more serious withdrawal symptoms that may arise.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Depending on one’s age, general health, history of alcohol consumption, and whether there is a co-occurring mental health disorder, alcohol withdrawal symptoms will vary.  These withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Irritability
• Nausea and vomiting
• Disorientation
• Tremors in the hands
• Profuse sweating
• Fever
• Sleep disturbances
• Confusion
• Sensitivity to light and sounds
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Elevated blood pressure
• Rapid heart rate
• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Delusions

How to Treat Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms at Home

Understanding how to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms at home starts with a trained addiction specialist, a doctor, who can properly evaluate the individual’s anticipated medical needs during detox.  A trained detox nursing team will then supervise the detox and withdrawal process, with continuous monitoring of vital signs and adjusting medications as needed throughout the process.

The withdrawal symptoms will be treated with various medications to help mitigate the physical and emotional discomforts of detox.  Many of the withdrawal symptoms, such as fever, nausea and vomiting, can be alleviated with OTC medications. Alcohol detox usually requires a prescription drug such as Ativan or Valium to help reduce anxiety and the threat of seizure.  Naltrexone is a prescription drug that is often used during detox that helps reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms and alcohol cravings.

Seeking an Alcohol Detox and Withdrawal at Home

The Treatment Specialist will connect you with a private nurse that will connect you to options for detox at home. Contact Kinkaid Private Care and visit their site today at https://kinkaidprivatecare.com/ to learn more about options. Never stop drinking cold turkey due to the dangers of seizures that can cause coma and death. If you are experiencing severe withdrawal, get help with a private nurse or inpatient detox to safely manage and treatment alcohol withdrawal symptoms.