professional alcohol detox at home

Alcohol Detox at Home in Los Angeles

There is simply no way to sugar coat it:  Detoxing from alcohol dependency is unpleasant at the least and horrible at the worst.  As the body attempts to rid itself from the toxins associated with alcohol abuse, it will rebel.  It is the necessary evil involved in beginning the recovery process from addiction, so take the long view when beginning detox and gut it out with a medically supervised detox.

For those individuals who do not wish to uproot and go to an inpatient facility to undergo the detox process, knowing a bit about how to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms at home is useful information.  First and foremost, alcohol detox should not be attempted without medical supervision.  This is because there may be serious withdrawal symptoms that must be managed by the intervention of a medical professional.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms:

Even the routine alcohol detox can be very difficult to endure without support. Withdrawal symptoms while detoxing from alcohol addiction will vary according to several factors, including the length of the history of alcohol abuse, the amount of alcohol consumed on a regular basis, the person’s general state of health, gender, and age. Depending on these factors, the withdrawal phase experienced will be one of three levels of severity: mild, moderate, or severe.

Withdrawal symptoms will begin to emerge 6-12 hours following the last drink consumed. Symptoms will typically peak on days 2 and 3, and then begin to gradually subside over the next several days. Psychological symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, may persist for weeks.

Depression and insomnia are commonly experienced at all levels of withdrawals from alcohol detox.

Click here to learn more about what alcohol withdrawal symptoms can look like.

Alcohol Detox at Home Timeline

The process of detoxifying the body from the effects of alcohol is typically a 5 day process, depending on severity of the alcohol dependency. Understanding the different phases of the detox and withdrawal process helps prepare you for what to expect.  Generally detox involves three distinct stages:

Stage one:  The initial phase of detox begins approximately 8 hours after the last drink and is characterized by anxiety, nausea, abdominal pain, and insomnia.  Other symptoms include mild hand tremors, loss of appetite, vomiting, foggy thinking, sweating, and headaches.

Stage two:  The second phase starts 24-72 hours after the last drink and involves increased body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate, and confusion. The individual may experience mild hallucinations.

Stage three:  The final phase of detox begins 3 days after the last drink and can involve fever, hallucinations, disorientation, agitation, and hallucinations.  In severe cases, the delirium tremens may occur, possibly causing seizures.

Benefits of Alcohol Detox at Home

One of the biggest obstacles to getting help for an alcohol use disorder involves concerns about the perceived stigma associated with detox and rehab. People will often put off getting the help they need to overcome the alcohol problem in fear of their reputation being harmed in some way. By remaining in the privacy of home, this obstacle is overcome with private nursing services. In-home detox services offer many benefits. These include:

Privacy and discretion
The individual will go through the detox and withdrawal process in the privacy of his or her own home. This eliminates the worry of being seen entering a detox facility or of their personal information being at risk.

Less anxiety
People are more comfortable in the safety and familiarity of their personal space, versus a sterile detox facility.

One-on-one care
An in-home alcohol detox service will provide a detox specialist to care for the individual and monitor the withdrawal symptoms. This individualized attention provides a higher level of care than one would receive at a detox center.

Is Alcohol Detox at Home Safe?

Alcohol dependency is a serious disease that impacts the central nervous system, the brain, and many organs of the body. Those with a long history of high alcohol consumption have experienced fundamental changes physiologically and neurologically. The body has come to expect the daily dosing of alcohol, and adjusted accordingly.

This means that when alcohol is suddenly withheld, the body will struggle violently to stabilize.

Alcohol withdrawal is unusual because, unlike other substances of abuse, detox does not always follow a predictable path. In fact, one can be nearing the end of the detox process when suddenly, on day five, the individual may begin experiencing hallucinations, severe mental confusion, body shakes, fever, and seizures. This is a condition called the delirium tremens (DTs).

The DTs impact a small number of individuals, about 5%, who are attempting alcohol detox. However, due to the severity of the symptoms, up to 15% of those who get the DTs will not survive. For this reason, alcohol detox should always be undergone under the supervision of a trained detox medical professional who can intervene quickly if needed.

Holistic Therapies that Assist with the Alcohol Detox Process

Another benefit of in-home alcohol detox is the option of adding holistic therapies to aid in the detox process.  These therapeutic activities can aid in relaxation and stress reduction, and can be continued as ongoing therapy during recovery from alcohol dependency.  Concierge Services and holistic therapies offered with in home detox may include:

Holistic therapies aid in withdrawal symptom relief and improve overall mood while detoxing from alcohol dependency.

How to Safely Detox From Alcohol at Home

Individuals who elect to go through detox in the comfort of their own home can be assisted through the process safely with a private detox nurse. These professionals have been uniquely trained to guide individuals through the three stages of withdrawals so they will complete the process successfully before beginning further addiction treatment.

Self alcohol detox at home provides nursing care throughout the detox process. The nurse will closely monitor vital signs and communicate continually with a physician who is an addiction specialist.  This way, the proper medications can be promptly administered to assist with mitigating the highly unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Emotional support is another important aspect of the detox experience. Detox can be very trying, both physically and psychologically, so having emotional support available can make all the difference in the person actually completing the detox without relapsing. Those who do not have this kind of compassionate support often revert back to drinking just to end the misery of detox. Sadly, they may never make it to rehab and their alcoholism will only worsen with time.

Call Us

Who Provides Our Care?

Our care is provided by Kinkaid’s team of in-home nurses with decades of experience caring for your detox needs. Our nurses are trained to provide high-quality care in a kind, safe and professional manner.

In-Home Alcohol Detox Throughout Los Angeles

Our in-home alcohol detox is provided throughout the Los Angeles area. Specifically, we cover Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Westwood, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Malibu, Holmby Hills, Cheviot Hills, Culver City, Beverly Glen, Beverlywood, and surrounding cities in California.

Why Choose Kinkaid?

Kinkaid Private Nursing Care offers premium in-home services to patients looking for the best and most intensive care on the market. We only take on a few clients at a time, so we always provide specialized care to meet the needs of each client. Additionally, not only do we specialize in premium care, but we also practice proper management techniques to ensure your care is organized, efficient, and best for you.

Overall, we create a concierge medical experience for each of our clients. Our approach starts with building relationships with each of our clients and their families; we get to know you in the comfort and privacy of your home to better understand your exact needs. We then create a personal care team for you consisting of at least a clinical nurse specialist, clinical case manager, and care coordinator. Our compassionate teams are clinician-led and available to you 24/7 to provide unparalleled service and attention to detail.

For more information, please call us at 866-337-4596 or fill out our contact form below.

Call Now

FAQ

How long after you quit drinking does your body return to normal?

Physical withdrawal effects typically last 4-5 days for most people with an alcohol use disorder. For heavy drinkers, it can take up to a week for your symptoms to fully stop.

Does the body recover when you stop drinking?

Most of the physical consequences of extended drinking will recover after a person achieves abstinence. But some conditions – such as cirrhosis of the liver – are irreversible. Still, stopping drinking can prevent further damage and improve your life expectancy.

How many days does it take to cleanse your liver from alcohol?

Several factors affect how long alcohol stays in the liver – including your age, genetics, and the quantity of alcohol consumed. But generally, the liver can process about one drink per hour. For most drinkers, alcohol will be eliminated from the body within 24 hours, though withdrawal symptoms can last up to a week.

What happens when you stop drinking all of a sudden?

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. When people become addicted to alcohol, the body’s central nervous system compensates for the effects of alcohol by speeding up, so that even while drinking heavily the central nervous system operates at a normal level. When drinking is suddenly stopped, the central nervous system can become dangerously overactive, causing the hallmark effects of alcohol withdrawal. This can include shakes, fever, confusion, and life-threatening seizures.

What are the signs your liver is detoxing?

Detoxification is the liver’s full-time job. It removes toxins from the bloodstream, carries away waste products, and metabolizes drugs into nontoxic compounds. In the case of alcohol detox, the signs that the liver is performing this function are alcohol withdrawal symptoms. As alcohol is removed from the blood by the liver, people who are dependent on alcohol struggle with several physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal.

What are the signs your liver is struggling?

Some signs that the liver is struggling to detoxify the blood include:

  • Jaundice – a yellowing of the skin and eyes, which is a sign of bile buildup in the liver
  • Reduced alcohol tolerance, as the liver cannot reduce alcohol levels in the blood
  • An enlarged liver
  • Abdominal pain or tenderness
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Nausea or vomiting

Experiencing any of these symptoms may indicate the development of alcoholic liver disease. While early stages of alcoholic liver disease are treatable, permanent liver damage may occur if drinking isn’t stopped.

How can I naturally remove alcohol from my system?

The best thing you can do to help your body clear itself from alcohol is to stay abstinent, eat nutritious foods, get plenty of sleep, and drink enough water. Your body will metabolize alcohol on its own.

Is it possible to give up alcohol on your own?

While many people can stop heavy drinking without outside intervention, medical detoxification is still recommended for people who experience withdrawal symptoms when they suddenly stop. Alcohol withdrawal can be deadly, and medical detox professionals can ensure your safety during this process.

What can I replace alcohol with?

The act of drinking itself can be replaced by any non-alcoholic beverage. Some common examples include tea, kombucha, diet soda, or water. Some people will also find that they are much hungrier after stopping drinking since alcohol itself is calorically dense. But more importantly, it is vital to replace alcohol use with activities that you find meaningful and rewarding, such as exercise, hobbies, or meditation.

What is the safest way to stop drinking?

The safest way to stop drinking is with the help of medical detoxification. In-home detox professionals can monitor your wellbeing, provide medications that relive withdrawal symptoms, and provide targeted support to ensure that you make it through this difficult first step of sobriety.

Does water flush out alcohol?

Drinking enough water is important during alcohol detox but won’t significantly speed up the process. It can help prevent dehydration and improve your withdrawal symptoms, however.

THE KINKAID BLOG

can i detox in 24 hoursDetox
March 10, 2023

Can I Detox in 24 Hours?

Can I Cleanse My Body of Drugs in 24 Hours? Drug and alcohol detox can be a difficult and debilitating experience – still, people are always looking for the quick-fix…
Jennifer Bembry, RN
Love0
difference between dependence and addictionAddiction
March 8, 2023

What’s the Difference Between Dependence and Addiction?

Drug or alcohol addiction and dependence often get conflated in everyday conversation, articles you read online, and even in academic papers studying substance use disorders. But the difference between dependence…
Jennifer Bembry, RN
Love0
how to detox your body from drugs at homeDetox
March 1, 2023

How to Detox Your Body from Drugs at Home

Although drug addiction remains at high levels nationally, every day many people decide to quit using drugs. Many others want to stop their drug abuse but fear checking into a…
Jennifer Bembry, RN
Love0

Contact Us

If you have any questions or would like additional information on the services that we provide, please contact a nurse specialist by calling us or filling out the following form.

(866) 337-4596