Making the decision to get sober is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make. However, it’s only the first decision–once you decide you want to get sober, you have to figure out exactly how you are going to do so. Most importantly, you have to stick to your plan, endure the symptoms of drug and alcohol withdrawal, and learn the skills you need for long-term recovery.
One of the first choices you will be presented with is how you will get through detox. While you may be tempted to detox from home to be near your family and friends, doing so can be dangerous and even life-threatening. That’s why drug and alcohol specialists always recommend detoxing at a medical facility–not at home.
Pros of Detoxing at Home
While it is always recommended to detox at a medical or addiction treatment facility, some people choose to detox and begin their recovery journey at home. Here are three pros of detoxing at home.
Detox in a Comfortable, Familiar Setting
Drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms are flu-like in nature and will make you feel under the weather for several days. And, when you feel sick, there is often nothing you want more than the comfort of your own bed and belongings. You may feel more comfortable and at home when detoxing in a familiar setting.
Have the Support of Your Friends and Family
When you detox in your own home, you get to call the shots. Your friends and family can come to visit you as they please and you can spend your time doing whatever it is you’d like to be doing. Many people enjoy this level of freedom when they are not feeling well.
Free to Low-Cost Detox
The cost of medical detox and addiction treatment is one obstacle that stands in the way of many individuals seeking professional help. If you do not have health insurance, you may be tempted to detox at home to avoid being charged for medical care.
Cons of Detoxing at Home
Although detoxing from drugs and alcohol at home may be appealing for a few reasons, doing so can be dangerous and life-threatening. It may even set your sobriety up for failure in the long run. Here are four cons of detoxing at home.
Lack of Medical Care and Supervision
Even though you have your friends and family nearby if you detox at home, what you don’t have is a team of nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals. These individuals can prescribe medications to reduce the severity of your withdrawal symptoms, monitor your vitals and symptoms, administer fluids, and make sure you are adhering to a proper treatment program.
Increased Risk of Life-Threatening Complications
Without medical professionals who are ready to intervene at any time, your risk for life-threatening complications increases significantly. Symptoms like high blood pressure, dehydration, or suicidal thoughts can turn severe and potentially harmful. Additionally, some substances cause seizures during the early stages of withdrawal.[1]
If you are not in a medical setting when these things occur, you may not get the help you need before potentially fatal consequences occur. But, if you are at a medical detox center, nurses can provide supportive care, administer medications, and make sure you stay stable and healthy throughout the detox process.
High Risk of Drug and Alcohol Relapse
Physical withdrawal symptoms aren’t the only difficult part of drug and alcohol withdrawal. Another con of detoxing at home is that doing so places you at an extremely high risk of relapse. After all, the risk of relapse is thought to be highest during detox due to the physical and mental withdrawal symptoms experienced.[2] You may also struggle with intense cravings or urges to use substances which will make detox even more difficult.
At a medical detox center, medications and therapy sessions are offered to help you cope with your cravings. Medical detox ultimately gives you a better opportunity at staying sober.
Inadequate Treatment Planning for Long-Term Recovery
Detox is only the first step in the addiction treatment process. Long-term recovery often requires comprehensive treatment and aftercare programs. When you detox at a treatment center in West Palm Beach, you meet with a substance abuse counselor to learn about the best treatment options for you.
Your counselor will help you pick a treatment program, verify your insurance, and make all the arrangements you need to make to continue your recovery journey.
Why You Should Choose a Medical Detox Program
Detoxing from drugs and alcohol at home can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Not only are you at a high risk of relapse, but you could also experience severe complications that threaten your well-being. Instead of attempting to detox alone, it is best to detox in a medical or addiction treatment facility.
Medical detox centers in West Palm Beach have doctors, nurses, and addiction specialists on-site 24/7. You remain under close supervision throughout the duration of your stay. You will also have access to detox medications, therapy sessions, and holistic activities, all of which can reduce the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. The best way to ensure your safety, comfort, and success in recovery is to begin the process at a medical detox center.
Find a Drug and Alcohol Detox Center in West Palm Beach
Put simply, detoxing without professional help is risky and often ends in failure. The benefits are not worth the risk. Instead, consider detoxing at our licensed and accredited detox center in West Palm Beach.
“At Daylight Recovery Center, we provide a warm and compassionate environment designed specifically for patient comfort during the medical detox process. We understand that you’ll be living with us for a short period of time during your recovery process. Although three to four weeks doesn’t sound long, we feel it’s imperative to provide a space that feels like your home-away-from-home.”
-Daylight Recovery Center
Don’t wait any longer. Begin your recovery journey today by speaking with one of our admissions counselors.
