What to Expect During Home Detox
When embarking on the detox and withdrawal phase of recovery, it helps to have awareness of what to expect. Within hours of discontinuing the substance, the withdrawal effects begin to emerge. These symptoms indicate that the brain is attempting to recalibrate in response to the absence of the substance. The home detox nurse is tasked with providing medical and mental health support as the detox progresses. This support is key in the patient’s ability to be able to continue on and complete the detox.
Both prescription and over-the-counter medications are accessed for managing many of the common withdrawal symptoms, such as insomnia, muscle aches, diarrhea, nausea, fever, headache, and to prevent seizures. The home detox nurse monitors your progress throughout the detox period and communicates any observations with the medical doctor.
How Long Does Home Detox Last?
The detox timeline is highly dependent on various factors that can shorten or lengthen the process of withdrawal. No two patients are the same, which means the timeline is also going to be unique.
Some of the factors that impact the detox timeline include:
- Which substance is involved
- If there are multiple substances involved
- If there is a comorbid mental health disorder
- The general health status of the patient
- The patient’s detox history
- The patient’s age
Detox unfolds in three stages: emerging symptoms, acute symptoms, and resolving symptoms. The second stage is when the symptoms are most intense. The final stage sees most symptoms subsiding, with the exception of some lingering post-acute withdrawal symptoms. In most cases, detox is completed within a week or two.
Is Home Detox Safe for Everyone?
In most cases a home detox is entirely safe, as long as it is overseen by a medical detox team. Exceptions would include individuals with a long history of severe alcoholism and multiple detox attempts. This is because for these individuals there is an increased risk of an emergency event called the delirium tremens.
For the majority of individuals seeking home detox services, an in-home detox is quite safe. The one-on-one attention and personal care you receive exceeds what you would receive at an inpatient detox facility. Because of this personalized care, any concerning changes or developments are spotted sooner.
Note that a home detox is never safe is it is not supervised by a medically trained doctor and detox team. Detox is often unpredictable and mental health issues or relapse can lead to serious consequences when withdrawal is not supervised.
The Advantages of Home Detox vs. a Detox Facility
When considering detox settings, there are several advantages to completing the detox and withdrawal at home. They include:
- Convenience. No traveling involved because the detox nurse treats you at home
- Privacy. No risk of being seen entering a drug detox facility
- Comfort. Having access to your own bed and furnishings
- Less stress. Detox at home is much less stressful than a clinical setting
- Support. At home you can enjoy the support of loved ones
- Holistic. A home detox service offers concierge services, like massage or the IV Myers Cocktail therapy
- Independence. While going through detox you can still perform work duties from home