A home alcohol detox is exactly what it sounds like, the opportunity to detox at home in a safe and controlled yet familiar environment.
There are many advantages to a home detox, including the fact that you’re able to detox surrounded by supportive family members or friends.
However, home detoxes are not appropriate or available to everyone, as they do require a lot of willpower and focus in order for them to work [1].
More and more people across Newcastle are unfortunately suffering from addiction issues. As a result of this, rehab facilities are becoming full quicker, and waiting lists are only increasing.
This is particularly the case for NHS funded rehab facilities and beds, which are struggling from a severe lack of underfunding.
This is why more and more people are opting for a home detox. With a home detox, there are no waiting lists and you are able to detox almost immediately with the help of medical professionals [1].
However, it is important to understand that only those with an addiction deemed mild to moderate are permitted to detox at home.
All medical detoxes and withdrawals should be supervised and monitored by professionals, and during a home detox in Newcastle you will be provided with daily phone call appointments as well as medication sent through the post.
There are many different types of rehab and treatment for an alcohol addiction in Newcastle. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages, and most rehab professionals will be able to suggest the best approach for treatment for you and your specific circumstances [2].
If you suffer from a mild addiction issue to alcohol or another substance such as cocaine, then you might be suited to a home detox.
During this time, you are able to detox in the comfort of your own home and will be able to start your detox and recover almost immediately.
You are able to hold down a job and continue looking after any dependents, such as children whilst you detox. You get to recover and withdraw in the privacy of your own home and your family and friends can offer you support.
You will receive medication through the post and will speak to a medical professional every day on the phone, to update them on your withdrawal symptoms [2].
If you suffer from a more severe addiction to alcohol or drugs such as heroin or cocaine, then you might be required to attend an inpatient rehab facility in order to recover.
When you first attend inpatient drug and alcohol rehab in Newcastle, you will first be required to undergo a medical detox before then undergoing any therapy to tackle the root cause of your addiction issues.
You will receive 24/7 medical supervision from staff and rehab professionals, and will be able to detox and withdraw in a safe and controlled environment.
If you need to attend inpatient rehab, then your addiction will most likely be deemed moderate to severe, in which case you are more likely to experience severe withdrawal symptoms during your detox.
If these withdrawal symptoms go untreated and unmonitored, then they can quickly become life threatening [2].
Whilst this is a fantastic option for anyone with a severe addiction to drugs or alcohol, there are often long waiting lists for inpatient drug and alcohol rehab in Newcastle and across the rest of the UK, with most people waiting days, weeks or even sometimes over a month in order to undergo treatment and get admitted into a rehab facility.
Outpatient drug and alcohol rehab in Newcastle allows individuals to remain living at home for the duration of their alcohol or drug treatment, but allows you to visit the rehab facility on a daily or weekly basis in order to receive your treatment.
This is the perfect solution for someone with a moderate addiction to drugs or alcohol in Newcastle, who also wants to hold down their job or continue looking after their children or other dependents during their recovery.
This is the most flexible and convenient option, but is only available to those who professionals deem capable of recovering via this hybrid model.
It is important to understand that the more severe your addiction to alcohol, then the worse your detox and withdrawal symptoms will be.
When someone becomes addicted to alcohol or other substances such as cocaine or heroin, their body adjusts to the substances and develops a dependence on that substance in order to function normally.
Over time, the neurotransmitters in the brain become affected and altered.
When an individual stops consuming and abusing the same substances that the brain and body has become so reliant on, withdrawal symptoms occur.
During this time, the transmitters in the brain such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate and dopamine all spike in different places.
The balance between these neurotransmitters become disrupted and the brain and body kicks out in response.
As a response to this, the central nervous system goes into overdrive, leading to an increased heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety and seizures.
During this time, there are a number of withdrawal symptoms that you are likely to experience.
This includes but is not limited to diarrhoea, seizures, depression, anxiety, paranoia, schizophrenia, excessive sweating, flu-like symptoms, vomiting, severe stomach cramping and tremors.
These withdrawal symptoms can vary in severity depending on how severe your addiction is and can become life threatening if they go untreated, which is why it is incredibly important to only ever detox with the help of medical professionals.
If you need to undergo a medical detox from alcohol or other drugs such as heroin or cocaine, then your withdrawal symptoms might become so severe that you need to be prescribed medication.
This medication will be prescribed for only a short period of time, but will play an essential role when it comes to helping you to overcome your addiction and get you through your detox and withdrawal.
Below is a list of some of the most commonly prescribed drugs and substances used to help people to manage their withdrawal symptoms. All of the below drugs are prescription only and should only be used and consumed in a controlled environment.
Benzodiazepines are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for those undergoing an alcohol detox in Newcastle and across the rest of the UK.
The most common benzodiazepines prescribed to help with an alcohol addiction and detox are Librium and Valium. These drugs are able to calm the nervous system and help to manage a variety of withdrawal symptoms including anxiety and tremors [3].
Likewise, anticonvulsants are also commonly prescribed to those undergoing an alcohol detox. There are a number of anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine and gabapentin that are frequently prescribed during the detox process which help to manage the risk of experiencing a seizure during a withdrawal from alcohol and other substances.
Beta-blockers are also commonly prescribed during the withdrawal process, and help to manage anxiety, tremors and an increased heart rate.
It is important to understand that these drugs will only ever be prescribed in a controlled environment and should only be used to help manage the side effects and symptoms of an alcohol or drug withdrawal.
If you are suffering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol, then you might need to undergo a medical detox and withdrawal in order to recover. If your addiction is deemed moderate or severe, then you might need to attend inpatient drug or alcohol rehab in order to recover.
However, if your addiction is deemed mild or moderate, then you might be able to undergo a home detox to withdraw. If you would like more information on a home detox in Newcastle, then speak to a member of the team at Rehab 4 Addiction by calling us on 0800 140 4690 or by visiting us online by searching for www.rehab4addiction.co.uk.
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6299173/
