February 2, 2023

The Dangers of Detoxing on your Own

One of the most complex parts of getting sober is committing to it. Many individuals know that they have a problem and that their substance use has gotten out of control, but the fear of getting sick keeps them from getting sober. 

A popular mindset set addicts have is that they do not have time to get sick.  They cannot take off work, push school back or refrain from social life.  While it might be convenient to detox on your own, it’s often the most dangerous route.  Individuals do not realize the implications that detoxing at home can have. 

There is a natural tendency to assume that the only way to resolve the problem is by stopping all substance use when addiction to drugs or alcohol is evident. While this approach is the right one, it is easier said than done without the proper supervision and guidance. 

Whatever the addiction – alcohol, benzodiazepines, opiates, etc. – detoxing alone can prove inefficient and impractical.

Risk of Relapse

No matter your addiction, detoxing is not a fun experience. However, detoxing on your own will always be worse than detoxing in a medical facility.

One of the most apparent roadblocks is the likelihood of relapse.

When individuals choose to detox in their home, bedroom, or familiar environment, they put themselves in a space where they spend most of their time getting drunk or high. This makes it challenging to get the thought of using out of their heads.  

While we are sitting there writhing in pain, minds racing, staring at the same walls, it is a whole lot easier to convince ourselves that we don’t need to get sober. Or that we “just can’t do it,” that we will accept being an addict. 

When people choose to get sober and attend a medical detox, they are immediately removed from their substance of choice, even if it is only for a few days.  

This step of being in a detoxing environment outside your home gives individuals the opportunity for success. For some individuals, even a couple of 24 hours can clear their mind enough to show them how the addiction is and how possible getting sober is.

Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

If an individual is a drinker or using benzodiazepine, they are deemed medically necessary to detox in a facility. Plain and simple, these two chemicals can be fatal to detox cold turkey from. 

The reason being that physical withdrawal can be so shocking to the body that it can induce seizures that can cause death if not treated immediately. Some people have been sent into cardiac arrest while detoxing from alcohol or benzos. 

People who fall under these two categories must seek medical attention for their rehabilitation.

The detox process in a medical facility will allow 24-hour supervision for the person and a system of tapering off of the drugs safely. There are doctors and nurses at our residential facility to check vitals and psychiatrists on hand to ensure the patient’s mental health is stable. 

For other drugs such as cocaine, heroin, meth, etc., the medical necessity is not deemed absolute, but a professional detox facility makes the process a lot easier.

For the same reasons we mentioned earlier, vital checks, doctors on hand, and other medications ease the process. For example, heroin, meth, and cocaine users will often experience withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Restlessness
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering
• Body/muscle aches
• Rapid pulse
• Sweating
• Hallucinations
• Delirium tremens
• Rapid pulse
• Sweating

Detoxing at own home can be torture, as over-the-counter medications don’t usually get the job done to alleviate these sufferings. However, in a detox facility, patients can be professionally administered medications to help them sleep, relieve abdominal cramps muscle aches, and soothe racing thoughts.

While it seems strange that people who are detoxing from drugs are administered more drugs, the idea is that these drugs are only intended to be taken during their stay in the detox and for only a limited amount of time after that if the person still requires them. By the way, all medications administered are non-narcotic.

Mental Health in Addiction Recovery

Another considerable danger for detoxing on your own is dealing with the potential mental states that will follow the abrupt discontinuation of certain medications. Again, with benzos and alcohol, these can be life-threatening. 

Many people who detox from these two chemicals often experience severe anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and suicidal thoughts. These people need to be under constant supervision to ensure their safety.

Other drugs will induce a variety of mental health symptoms such as:

• Extreme agitation
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Relapse 

For people who suffer from chronic dual diagnosis and battle with issues like eating disorders, depression, ADHD, anxiety, etc., the medical staff in a detox can individually tailor a safe regimen of medications to continue after their detox process ends. This will usually lead to a much smoother recovery process.

Overall, detoxing in a trained, professional detox facility is a safer bet for anyone looking to kick their habit. The accessibility to a medical staff ensures the safety and wellbeing of every person that comes through the doors. Detoxing on your own can lead to various profound implications and most often leads to relapse. 

In Need of Detox?

It can be intimidating to know that addiction and alcoholism are always right around the corner. Sometimes getting that little push and having medical guidance can be what it takes. 

Relapse and active addiction/alcoholism are only as preventable as much as we value the sobriety we hold in our hands. 

Our teams of specialists are waiting by to help figure out what options are best for sending your life in a comfortable direction that you can proudly stand behind.

If you or a loved one is struggling with getting a firm grasp on sobriety and need detoxification, please contact us.