Going cold turkey at home: Doing it safely

Going cold turkey at home: Doing it safely

If you’ve decided that you want to tackle alcohol addiction head-on, then getting treatment is paramount to that. Seeking professional help is among the best things you can do to get your life back on track, but of course, that costs money.

It’s always advised to get treatment and go through withdrawal in a medical environment with professionals around to help. Due to the complications that can occur from withdrawal symptoms and overall health, many people do indeed decide that detoxing at home is the right decision for them.

For the most part, this is largely down to comfort and financial reasons, but it can make it much more difficult, too.

If you’ve made that decision, then your health and safety are paramount. Here are our top tips for going cold turkey from alcohol at home and starting your recovery process…

Remove all alcohol from your home

It perhaps goes without saying, but one of the first things you should do when safely detoxing from alcohol at your home. If you’re self-detoxing, you need to ensure no temptations are lying around your property and just get rid of all alcohol. When the cravings kick in, you may not be able to control and get through them, which would lead you directly towards the cupboard where alcohol is, if it’s still lying around.

Ensure you have support

While you may wish to do this on your own, it’s important to confide in someone to be on hand to help and support you. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are tough on a person both mentally and physically, and there can be complications, so having a hand to hold and get you medical help if you need it is a must.

It will also help the process to have someone to talk to, watch TV with, and just that little bit of comfort during what will be one of the hardest times of your life.

Clear your diary

There’s no real time scale on how long it will take to get through your detox and withdrawal. For some people, it can take days; for some, it can take a little bit longer. Then there’s the recovery process, it’s not a case of getting up and going straight back to work. You need to take the time to fully concentrate on going through the recovery process. That may mean taking a few months of work to relax, be calm, and avoid any unnecessary stress that may drive you back to alcohol.

Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet

Throughout the entire recovery process, you should do what you can to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids throughout. You’ll find initially that you have a severe loss of appetite, so in the early stages, you may want to include broths and soups in your diet to get the nutrients you need in your system.

Once your appetite returns, focus on healthier foods and a balanced diet as this will start to boost your strength and aid your recovery.