Is It Safe to Do Drug Detox at Home?

Drug addictions to cocaine, crack, or methamphetamines aren’t considered dangerous substances to withdrawal from. While these drugs are extremely addictive, the physical withdrawal symptoms a person experiences during detox are much milder compared to those found in other drug addictions. Detoxing at home however, can prove to be difficult because of the extreme psychological dependency associated with these drugs.

What Are the Risks of Doing a Drug Detox at Home?

When the body has become physically dependent on a drug, suddenly stopping its use can shock a person’s system. The shock some people experience when abruptly quitting a drug they’ve been using for some time can include: unstable blood pressure, heart problems, and stroke. These complications can quickly become life threatening if there isn’t emergency medical care available.

When Is It Safe to Detox at Home?

Detoxing at home can be considered safe when it doesn’t pose a threat to a person’s health. Not everyone will need to detox in a professional setting. People with very mild cases of addiction who haven’t been using for a long time might find success in doing a drug detox at home. It is important to keep in mind however, that detoxing at home significantly increases the chances that a person will give into the cravings associated with drug withdrawal.

Seek Support if Doing an at Home Drug Detox

If a person insists on going through a drug detox at home, it’s important that they have support when they do so. Having a friend or family member that can get emergency help if necessary is vital. The first few days of detox are crucial. During the first 48 to 72 hours of a drug detox at home, a person should never be left unattended.

Drug detox affects everyone differently. If detoxing at home, a friend or family member should be with the person experiencing withdrawal at all times. There is no way to tell how a person’s body will react to drug withdrawal. This is why seeking support during the process is so important.

Professional Detox vs. Drug Detox at Home

While doing a drug detox at home can seem like the best possible scenario, it is important to look into professional detox options when choosing to quit using drugs. A professional detox takes place either at an inpatient or outpatient detox centre, offering patients everything they need during the withdrawal process.

Detoxing in a medical setting can be done without the use of medication. For those that don’t require a medically-supervised detox, there are still doctors available if any problems arise. Going through detox in a treatment centre ensures a patient’s safety is taken into consideration at all times.

What Is a Medically-Assisted Detox?

For drug addictions that are considered life-threatening or those with withdrawal symptoms that feel impossible to overcome, a medically-assisted detox is typically offered. Medications offered during a medically-assisted detox help keep a person’s body functioning safely through withdrawal. They can also help a patient manage their cravings in order to avoid relapse.

While some people assume that a medically-assisted detox is simply substituting one drug for another, it isn’t the case at all. When a person receives these medications in the correct setting and proper precautions are taken, a new addiction will not form. The medications used to help people through drug detox are best taken in a supervised inpatient or outpatient detox programme. Some of the medications used to help people through withdrawal can become addictive if they are abused. Because addiction is so complicated, getting professional detox treatment is typically the best decision a person can make.

Do I Need Further Treatment after a Successful Detox?

Whether doing a drug detox at home or in a medical environment, it is vital that a person realise that detox is only the first step of lasting addiction recovery. Addiction is extremely complex. Detox is excellent at treating the physical aspects of an addiction, but does little to touch upon the psychological components behind it.

For a person to avoid relapse and sustain lasting recovery, getting therapy and continued addiction treatment is recommended. There are limitless options for addiction treatment, which makes it easier to find treatments that fit a person’s individual needs. Even if a person experiences a successful drug detox at home, getting additional help is truly the ticket to lasting recovery.

We Can Guide You through the Drug Detox Options in the UK

Overcoming a drug addiction can be a very confusing process. From admitting to having a problem to taking the steps that lead to recovery, the whole process of addiction recovery can be exhausting. No one should have to go through it alone. If you are considering doing a drug detox at home, it’s important to know that there is help. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to anyone with questions about overcoming drug or alcohol addiction. Please call and speak to one of our addiction specialists today to see how much easier drug detox can be when you get professional help. Getting through the physical withdrawals of drug addiction is possible, and it doesn’t have to be done alone. Call us today to see how we can help.