When you are addicted to anything, it becomes a routine, and stopping it can be difficult. For example, alcohol is the most dangerous and addictive drug in the world, and a study from Australia shows that alcohol kills 15 people every day. When you are addicted to alcohol, there comes a time when you are tired of blacking out, waking up hungover, disappointing families and friends over and over again, and having no idea what happened the previous night. This is when you might decide to start detoxing from alcohol.
If you decide to stop drinking daily and heavily, you will likely experience symptoms of alcohol detox such as shaking hands, anxiety, feeling low, depression, insomnia, and in severe cases, you can experience alcohol withdrawal fever.
Detoxing from alcohol is the first factor toward being sober and the only proven way to address alcoholism. Still, many find it one of the most challenging stages of alcohol recovery. The time it takes to detox can be affected by a few factors, such as:
- How much do you drink?
- How long does alcohol stay in your urine?
- How long you’ve been drinking.
- Whether you’ve experienced alcohol withdrawal.
Alcoholism is a severe disease that affects the person struggling with it and their loved ones, but the condition is treatable if you have professional help and support. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that detoxing from alcohol can be dangerous when done at home.
Five Steps on How To Detox From Alcohol
1. Don’t Go Through Withdrawal Alone
Alcohol is one of the most severe drugs to withdraw from, so don’t go through this process alone. Talk to your spouse or friends about your detox journey for them to support you. The more support you have, the better. Consider creating a visiting routine, so you don’t always feel alone, especially during your first detox week. A supportive friend or spouse can help you in many ways during withdrawal.
2. Remember That You Are Not Alone
Millions of people worldwide have detoxed from alcohol. However, people suffering from addictions often believe they are alone or nobody cares about them and their struggles. Consider yourself part of a strong family, and take pride in the fact that millions of people, including you, saw a problem in their lives and took steps to fix it.
3. Eat Good Food
Eating is the most important way to flush the alcohol from your system. The toxins in alcohol can lower your blood sugar, so it’s imperative to balance it and eat some food. If you’re too nauseous or experiencing an alcohol withdrawal fever that makes you too weak to have a meal, try something light, like eggs or crackers. Then, when your body can handle more, try eating meals rich in Vitamin D.
4. Sweat The Alcohol Out
While moving might be the last thing on your mind, while there is much alcohol in your system, it can help. Sweating and breathing deep allow you to release toxins naturally and get the much-needed oxygen. Try taking short walks or trying out low-impact exercises like the yoga practice with lots of twists to help release endorphins.
5. Get Rid of Cravings
Craving alcohol will be a persistent challenge during withdrawal. You will have the urge to drink several times throughout the process. It’s helpful to think of your craving as a wave; Cravings build, peak, crash, and dissipate. The point is that eventually, your craving will go away, and the tide will crash. Also, don’t get caught off guard thinking that since one urge has stopped, another won’t come quickly. Often, desires can go fast and in the succession of each other.
How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your Urine?
In most circumstances, depending on the type of detection test utilized, alcohol can remain in your system for 6 to 72 hours. Only 1% to 2% of alcohol an individual consumes leaves the body through urine. Within an hour of drinking, ethanol from alcohol can be found in a person’s urine.
When detoxing from alcohol, you might wonder, “how long does alcohol stay in urine?” It usually lasts 12 to 24 hours in the urine (72 or more hours with more advanced detection methods). The body system and test used, among other specific considerations, can cause this time frame to change. Alcohol detection tests can detect alcohol for up to 6 hours in the blood and 12 to 24 hours on the breath. It can also stay in the saliva for 12 to 24 hours and in hair for up to 90 days.
Recovery is Possible
Alcohol remains a socially normalized drug present in many aspects of life, whether in professional settings or leisure activities. Nevertheless, individuals facing alcohol addiction can overcome their dependency and achieve lasting sobriety. Since detoxing at home carries significant risks, speaking with healthcare professionals is a critical first step.
At The Blanchard Institute, our at-home detox program located in Charlotte, NC and Lake Norman, NC was designed for those seeking a safe and effective detoxification process. Our detox program combines the comfort of home with the assurance of medical supervision, and provides a seamless transition into the recovery process — an essential step towards long-term sobriety. Our outpatient treatment programs are often recommended post-detox and provides you with a stable, daily routine of consistent and intensive therapies, in a connected community of peers and professionals, where they can build a solid foundation for recovery.
We are in-network with a variety of insurance providers, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tricare, Aetna, Cigna, and more. Verify your insurance benefits or give us a call at 704-288-1097 to learn more about how we can help you or your loved one start their path towards recovery.