At Home Alcohol Detox Medications

Alcohol detoxes are not safe unless you use detox medication. Without it, there is a risk of seizures, cardiovascular complications and respiratory distress. But while medication can play a vital role in managing withdrawal symptoms and cravings, you should not attempt to use at home alcohol detox medications without professional help.

That being said, here is our list of the most important at home alcohol detox medications. For more information on these medications, or to talk with us about how we can keep you safe and comfortable during your detox, contact Sobriety and Wellbeing today.

At Home Alcohol Detox Medications: Essential For Safe Detox

The at home alcohol detox medications listed here are some of those used by rehabs and detox services to keep you safe and comfortable during alcohol detoxification.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are a class of alcohol detox medication that are frequently prescribed during alcohol detox to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. These medications help mitigate anxiety, reduce tremors, and prevent seizures, providing much-needed relief when you are in withdrawal.

The most commonly used benzodiazepines for alcohol detox are diazepam, chlordiazepoxide and lorazepam. Remember that these medications can be addictive, and do not use them without being instructed by a medical professional.

Antipsychotic Medications

In some instances, antipsychotic medications, such as haloperidol, are used to address severe agitation, hallucinations, or delirium that may occur during alcohol withdrawal.

Anticonvulsants

Seizures are a potentially life-threatening complication of alcohol withdrawal, making anticonvulsant drugs like carbamazepine and gabapentin important to prevent and manage these episodes. To administer these drugs safely you need to have information on dosing.

Vitamins and Nutritional Support: Nourishing the Body

Chronic alcohol use often leads to significant nutritional deficiencies, and addressing these deficits is crucial. Vitamins, particularly B-complex vitamins and thiamine (B1), can help correct these imbalances and enhance overall health during detox.

Many detox specialists consider the best approach is to take a strong B-complex tablet each day, as well as a separate multivitamin. Some professionals also recommend magnesium, as this mineral can reduce anxiety and promote sleep.

Sleeping Medication: Reclaiming Restful Nights

Alcohol withdrawal frequently disrupts sleep patterns, causing insomnia and emotional distress. While certain medications like sedative-hypnotics may offer short-term relief, they should be administered cautiously.

The most common sleep medications are ambien, trazodone and diphenhydramine. The benzodiazepines listed above may also bring about sleep.

If you are not able to get any of these medications prescribed, you can also try natural remedies like melatonin and valerian. While not as potent as pharmaceutical sleep aids, they may help you to sleep if you are in mild withdrawal.

Where Can I Buy At Home Alcohol Detox Medications?

Of the at home alcohol detox medications featured in this list, only vitamins, minerals and some sleeping medications can be purchased legally. We strongly advise that you do not purchase illicit medications for the following reasons.

Firstly, you may face problems with the law if you are caught buying drugs without a prescription. Having a criminal record can negatively affect many aspects of your life.

And when you buy medications on the street, you also run the risk of being given a completely different medication. Some pharmaceuticals are counterfeit, meaning that even when the at home alcohol detox medications you buy comes in a package, you cannot be sure you are getting what you wanted.

And if you are able to purchase the medication you were looking for, it is still impossible to accurately gauge how much of these medications you require without having professional help.

When Do You Need Detox Medications?

It is not essential for everyone who stops drinking to use detox medication. If you only drink alcohol moderately, it is unlikely that you will need to take any medicine. You will not need to take at home alcohol detox medications if you only drink alcohol one or two nights a week.

However, if you drink every day and typically drink large amounts, you may require some of the medications on this list. Your need for pharmaceutical assistance increases if you have been through withdrawal before, if you drink excessively most or all days of the week, if you have an underlying health problem, or if you have been drinking for a long time.

The Necessity Of Professional Care

While we have delved into various medication options typically used during alcohol detox, it is important to reiterate that going through detox at home without medical supervision can carry serious consequences. Risks include adverse reactions to medications, inadequate management of withdrawal symptoms, and the potential for severe complications requiring immediate medical attention.

When considering alcohol detox, seeking professional medical guidance is not just the safest but also the most effective way to manage the challenges of withdrawal, address underlying issues, and lay the groundwork for successful recovery.

In your journey towards sobriety, remember that you don’t have to walk the path alone. Contact Sobriety and Wellbeing on 0800 002 5397 for more information on how we can help you stop drinking safely.