Struggling with alcohol during the pandemic? Here’s how to detox safely

Covid-19 has been having a devastating effect on many people’s lives, including those who abuse alcohol. However, detoxing can be dangerous and more difficult for some people to do during the pandemic. This article explains ways to detox and to help start recovery as soon as possible.

What is alcohol detox?

Detoxing is the process of removing addictive substances from your body so it doesn’t depend on them anymore. Detoxing should never be achieved “cold turkey”, which causes some people to suffer with severe withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, headaches, anxiety and in some cases, even death. Detoxing in the medical sense (a medical alcohol detox), gives the body time to readjust to life without alcohol while being supported by medical professionals and detox medication.

Is an alcohol detox dangerous?

Detoxing can be very dangerous.

First and foremost, some people use alcohol every day and know they will need to detox from it under the care of medical professionals. Those with severe alcohol dependency should never attempt a detox without first seeking advice from a GP or treatment facility.

On the flip side, a supervised alcohol detox saves lives. Every day that passes without a clean start also increases the risk of relapse and potentially fatal complications such as organ failure (which can happen within a couple of weeks) or even death (within a few days).

Before considering an alcohol detox:

1. Pick a safe, convenient time for your detox. If you’re isolated during the pandemic, or have difficulties connecting with family/friends during restrictions, committing to a detox programme may be harder with a higher risk of relapse due to loneliness and boredom. A residential detox programme may be a better option for you.
2. Are ready to commit to a life without alcohol. If you have been drinking for a long time, having new activities or hobbies will help during times of boredom or stress.
3. Commit to a programme. Support groups are an important part of alcohol recovery, as they allow you to build a strong support network to help you through the process.
4. Take time to heal. If you need to take time off work, we recommend you do so. Alcohol detox can be a stressful time. If you have been relying on alcohol to help you get through the day, dealing with stress, anxiety or other negative emotions may be harder during detox. As part of your treatment plan, you’ll need to learn new ways to deal with these feelings, so take your time to heal emotionally. One way is to replace them with healthy coping mechanisms such as exercise.

What are the withdrawal symptoms people should be aware of?

Here are some of the most common symptoms of detoxing:

1. Nausea and vomiting. This is often the first symptom to manifest, occurring within 12-24 hours after your last drink. If you don’t know how to handle it, seek medical help to avoid dehydration and possibly death.
2. Vomiting blood. This is a sign of severe liver damage, and it can occur after less than 12 to 24 hours of being off the drug.
3. Diarrhoea or constipation may occur as a result of dehydration that could come from not drinking enough water before detoxing.
4. Anxiety, restlessness, and irritability. This is one of the most common withdrawal symptoms. It usually manifests within the first few hours after cessation of alcohol use, but it can also last for several days or longer.
5. Delirium tremens (DT’s). This is a life-threatening withdrawal symptom that may occur during detoxification. It can occur within hours or even just minutes after your last drink. DT’s are characterized by delirium, tremors, fever, and hallucinations that can occur up to three days after the onset of the detox process. It’s important to get professional medical attention before you exhibit any of these symptoms.
6. Headaches. This is most likely due to dehydration and lack of sleep during detoxification which is very common. You can prevent most headaches with lots of water and sleep before you begin your detox process.
7. Exhaustion. This is a symptom that’s often associated with the DT’s during detox, but it could also be from not eating enough while you’re going through detox. Again, it’s important to get enough rest before you begin your detox process.
8. Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, especially if they’re cold or numb.
9. Mouth ulcers that appear on the lips or tongue near your teeth can be an early sign of dehydration that happens during detoxification.

How do I detox safely from alcohol?

Below are the various options for detoxing from alcohol safely. We always recommend talking to a medical professional before attempted an alcohol detox.

Via a GP

A GP may help with detox medication and advice on how to safely wean yourself off alcohol via an alcohol detox programme. The NHS does provide alcohol detox programmes, but it rare for the NHS to fund residential addiction treatment.

Via a home detox service

There are new services in the UK that offer medically-assisted home detox. With the help of a support “buddy”, they can send medication to your home and support you with therapy via skype or zoom. You will need someone there with you at all times during the detox phase to monitor you and report back.

Via an inpatient detox facility

If you prefer to stay at a facility, you can choose to go with an inpatient detox facility. This means that you’ll be living in the facility for the duration of your detox and won’t be returning to your home or another familiar environment. This option is recommended for those who have severe alcohol dependencies, or have attempted to quit alcohol previously and failed.

How to avoid drinking again in the future?

Where alcohol addiction has developed, simply stopping won’t be enough to prevent a return to alcohol use. The sooner treatment begins, the more time there is to make a full recovery.

It can be tempting to believe that you’ll never need help again, but this doesn’t change the reality of how you were addicted in the first place. Even if your lifestyle doesn’t have any more alcohol present, you may still have some lingering cravings or compulsions that will lead you back into relapse as soon as you’re no longer under professional care.

Therapy is an important part of the recovery process.

The importance of therapy in treating alcoholism

Most people who suffer from alcohol dependence also suffer from addiction. It’s important to remember that you can’t overcome dependence without also overcoming addiction.

Addiction therapy is a process of learning coping mechanisms to avoid using alcohol, and to help deal with the root causes of your alcohol use. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most common type of therapy for alcohol addiction. CBT typically involves eight to 10 sessions of therapy.

Helping the alcoholic family member

If you are a family member or friend of someone who is struggling with alcohol abuse, it can be very difficult to know where to turn or what to do. We always recommend seeking help from an addiction specialist or family support group network.

Support groups (alcoholics anonymous)

AA meetings and the 12-step programme have been around for decades. People suffering from abuse and addiction have been sharing their stories with one another in these meetings for a very long time. These meetings are a great place to find support, understanding, and people who have suffered from similar addictions.

There are AA meetings throughout the UK, and they serve as a support network for people who are actively working to overcome addiction. Many meetings also offer individual counselling.

There are also support groups for men, women and families affected by alcohol.

Whether you choose to detox from alcohol medically at home, or within a detox unit, support groups lay the foundations for long term recovery, and it is recommended that you or a loved one actively attend meetings indefinitely.

The editorial unit