Is it Dangerous to Detox at Home?

Detoxing from drugs and alcohol can be one of the most uncomfortable and isolating experiences in addiction.

The physical discomfort and mental anguish can leave a person feeling hopeless and vulnerable. It is also a time when cravings are at their worst. If a person is faced with detox– either by choice or forced circumstances- it is vital to know the symptoms and possible complications.

Detox symptoms can vary from person to person, depending on the substance from which they are detoxing. Some common substances that cause withdrawal symptoms are opiates, alcohol, benzodiazepines, and amphetamines.

Frequently, people ask, “Is it dangerous to detox at home?” and the answer to that question is a resounding, “Yes!” Detoxing at home can endanger both physical safety and mental health.

Opiate detox symptoms can include sweating, chills, increased heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, and insomnia.

Intense cravings usually accompany these withdrawal symptoms. Detox at home is never recommended because vomiting and diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration, and vomiting can cause a life-threatening risk of aspiration. Cravings also pose a significant threat because, once detoxed, an individual’s tolerance is lowered, making them more likely to overdose should they succumb to the craving and use again.

Alcohol withdrawal can be one of the riskiest detoxes to undergo, and medical supervision is strongly recommended.

Some symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are nausea, vomiting, insomnia, sweating, shaky hands, and anxiety/depression. The most severe form of alcohol withdrawal is known as delirium tremens (DTs) and can include seizures and hallucinations. The risks of heart arrhythmia, dehydration, psychosis, and seizures are why detox at home is never a good idea. Complications from alcohol withdrawal can be fatal. Reach out for help for yourself or your loved one instead of trying to quit on your own.

Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be as dangerous as withdrawal from alcohol.

Some detox symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, vomiting, headaches, muscle pain, and seizures. Due to the risk of seizures and the possible complications of withdrawal symptoms, detox at home is not safe and can be fatal.

Amphetamines and methamphetamines also cause withdrawal symptoms, such as increased appetite, hypersomnia, severe depression, and psychotic behavior. Detox at home is not recommended due to the severe depression, which can lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. Psychotic behavior may be present from stimulant abuse prior to withdrawal and, if so, is more likely to pose a threat during detox.

What might seem at first like mild detox symptoms can quickly escalate to life-threatening scenarios. A medically supervised detox is always safer and more efficient because it can offer a supportive environment for the individual, allowing them not only to detox successfully, but also to start their journey on the path to recovery.

Sources:
Alcohol withdrawal: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved 2015, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000764.htm

Opiate withdrawal: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved 2015, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000949.htm

The benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7841856

If you have are wondering whether to detox at home, contact us anytime at (713) 769-0102 for a free consultation.