If you're trying to detox from alcohol at home, there are a few things you can do to make the process a little easier. Some natural home remedies for alcohol withdrawal can help reduce the severity of symptoms and make the detox process more comfortable.
Many physical, emotional, physiological, environmental, and genetic reasons act in coordination to get addicted to alcohol. The equation can be complex, and pinpointing the exact cause of alcoholism is still being debated by the medical fraternity around the world.
While alcoholism is a big problem to deal with, giving it up altogether can also lead to different kinds of problems. It can cause serious withdrawal symptoms which can be very difficult to deal with. Many natural home remedies can be useful in the management of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
The process must start by treating the addiction to alcohol first and then treat the potential withdrawal symptoms with natural herbs and other home-based treatments. Such methods of natural alcohol detox work well.
Excessive use of alcohol can produce significantly harmful effects on the nervous system causing fatigue, short-term memory loss, and eye muscle damage. Alcoholism also can produce more harmful damages such as:
- Liver disorders
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Cardiovascular problems
- Blood sugar problems
- Sexual problems
- Menstrual problems
- Birth defects
- Cancer
Stopping alcohol after a prolonged period of use can produce unpleasant, dangerous, and even life-threatening consequences
Natural Alcohol Withdrawal Remedies - Detox Treatment
The first step is to understand how severe alcohol addiction is. You may require medical intervention in some severe cases. People may need to give up alcohol under supervision or are given instructions to seriously follow at home without any supervision.
The objective is to reduce cravings by gradually comfortably tapering down the quantities without getting any severe withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol habits have been substituted by milder alcohol uses and for that matter, the beer becomes the best substitute. Move away first from high alcohol content drinks to low alcohol content drinks then to no alcohol content drinks.
While doing the above gradual change watch the symptoms and keep in touch with doctors if any complications arise. Usually, there will be no complications in ordinary cases of alcoholism.
Combine supplements of Vitamin, B2, Vitamin B1, and Vitamin C. Gradually move to lemon juice and water to finally get detoxed.
Begin to eat healthy food. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Don’t push yourself to overindulge in eating as a substitute for drinking. The organs of an alcoholic are weak so there is no point over burdening them.
So don’t abruptly give up alcohol, gradually taper off by moving to bear and then slowly move to no alcohol drinks. This whole process can occur from a week to a couple of months depending on the severity of alcohol addiction. Keep in touch with your doctor.
Alcohol Dependence Treatment – Tame Addiction
Alcohol dependence is a clinical condition that may or may not be due to alcohol abuse. Alcohol dependence is associated with depression and anxiety whereas alcohol abuse may or not be. Most treatment approaches to alcohol dependence vary according to individuals and cultural contexts as this health problem stems from both emotional and social issues.
Alcohol dependence is confirmed if three of the following six symptoms are present within a 12-month of the diagnostic period according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder DSM (American Psychiatric Association, 1994).
- Tolerance of increased amounts of alcohol
- Withdrawal symptoms from the absence of alcohol such as tremors, anxiety, sweating, agitation, restlessness, depression and restlessness, nausea, and diarrhea.
- Drinking becoming a Priority – all other responsibilities and even hobbies enjoyed in the past take a back seat.
- Craving- number of cues inducing craving
- Impaired control – no limit set for Alcohol consumption
- Continued use of Alcohol despite harm
There are several approaches to alcohol dependence but they are widely categorized into two sets depending on the severity of the problem
- For those with severe problem drinkers
- For those who are not yet alcohol dependent but are at high risk
These approaches range from self-help or mutual group help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to community reinforcement approaches including behavioral support to individuals in overcoming dependence, psychological therapy, and pharmacotherapy by easing the symptoms of withdrawal and craving with the use of medication. (Reference: International Center for Alcohol Policies (ICAP) – www.icap.org
If you begin to realize that you are abusing alcohol and want to quit, then you can quit alcohol under medical supervision with guidance from your doctor. This can be fast, less painful, and effective because you are still under the control of your willpower and not alcohol dependent as yet. Alcohol withdrawal difficulties can be managed reasonably well during this state.
If you are already alcohol dependent and you or your loved ones are seeking help then a team of doctors, psychiatrists, physiologists, and social workers along with your family members can work on you to systematically get you out of alcohol dependence. This is a long process that may or may not require detoxing depending on whether you are getting withdrawal symptoms or not.
The first step is to meet your doctor and explain your condition in every minutest detail so that the team can assist you in the best possible manner and can save your damaged organs if they are damaged.
What seems impossible may just be difficult but very much possible. Alcohol addiction can be a tough but achievable goal. The first step is your willingness to stop the abuse of alcohol. The rest of the recovery from alcoholism will be comparatively easy. It doesn't matter how bad your addiction is, what matters is your decision to quit and willingness to go the extra mile to become normal again and lead a healthy and happy life.
There may be triggers that push you to drink. But then there are times when you feel that it is not good for you. It is that time when you have to begin to think about the benefits of not drinking. Start dwelling on and begin visualizing the great positive impact on your relationships, health and fitness, your social life, and cost benefits. A deliberate effort is required to do all this. More you think about the benefits you will lean toward quitting drinking.
Alcohol Addiction Recovery – Stop Abuse
There is always an underlying problem associated with alcohol abuse. Since you feel relieved after drinking and would like to remain in that state of unwinding you can’t get motivated to leave it. Start thinking about different ways in which your problem can be solved. It is just a mental game that you need to start. This will make you aware of other possibilities to handle your problem.
All the above will take you one step closure to recovery from alcohol addiction.
This is the real turning point in your drinking life. Since you have already analyzed the benefits of stopping drinking you just need to commit to yourself to stop it. This commitment comes from your willpower. This is a decision you need to make. Commitment is the first step that pushes you to take suitable action. At this stage, you may still not know how it will happen. You may still be wondering about the conditions after leaving alcohol, but just tell yourself that you will quit drinking because you are convinced of the benefits.
A commitment always leads to action. But before taking action make a plan which you can adhere to. Decide a strategy that fits your personality. That fits your strengths and weaknesses.
The biggest dilemma is to decide whether to give up alcohol altogether or just cut back slowly before you finally give up or just cut back to normal social levels.
Cutting down slowly works in some cases and cutting down altogether in others. Cutting down altogether will have serious temptation issues which only your willpower can stop. To understand yourself and decide on a plan of action.
You should also announce your quitting plan with a timetable so that people around you particularly your loved ones can help and keep motivating you in sticking to your plans.
Keep a diary of your progress. This is a monitoring process.
Now realize that there will be withdrawal symptoms of quitting. From anxiety and restlessness to headaches, sweating, nausea, and vomiting to trouble sleeping and concentrating and elevated heart rate and blood pressure.
This is a testing time when you can get back to abuse because your body wants it. You have to firmly face this stage. It takes about a week before you see the withdrawal symptoms disappearing. Keep yourself busy with fun and other activities which you enjoy but keep away from alcohol.
This is where you will perhaps fail. Don’t consider it a failure. Learn from the past and continue until succeed.
If you have come so far you are on a recovery path. Join help groups and rehabs and all these activities will help you to recover from alcohol abuse.
Bottomline
In conclusion, home remedies for alcohol withdrawal can be helpful for some people and may ease symptoms. However, it is important to remember that detoxing from alcohol should always be done under medical supervision to ensure safety. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, please reach out for help.