Self Help Alcohol & Drug Detox Program

For an individual looking for an alcohol or drug detox program, many options are available. Some of these include supervised counseling, residential treatment facilities and extended hospital stays. While each of these options has distinct advantages, each one also tends to be expensive. Some are not covered by insurance. As a result, you may want to consider what self-help options are available to you.

Considerations

• Before undertaking a drug or alcohol detox program by yourself with little or no medical supervision, you need to take several factors into consideration. Some of these include your age, current medical conditions, drug use history and psychiatric background.

  Since most drugs are physically addicting, trying to stop using them can be painful. Physical symptoms including chills, shakes, aches, depression, agitation, insomnia and hallucinations. If you are a heavy drinker or are addicted to benzodiazepines--such as as xanax or valium--attempting to quit without medical supervision could be dangerous.

  The process of detoxification and becoming free from withdrawal symptoms from either alcohol or drug addiction can take anywhere from three days to six weeks, depending on the extent of the problem and the type of drug. The longer the addiction, the more likely you are to need medical supervision, especially if you are using medication to help reduce your cravings for drugs or alcohol. Even when you are sober, you will need to give your brain time to rebuild connections altered during drug use.

  You can expect to experience depression and intense cravings while you are detoxing. For this reason, addiction is a difficult challenge to overcome, and people often relapse. However, recovery is possible. You just have to figure out alternative ways to cope with the situations that might cause you to relapse.

Support

• One important component in a successful self-help detox program is a peer support group. Two of the most well known groups are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). These groups allow people to share their challenges with addiction and also become inspired by others’ successes. Admission is free, and the program is facilitated by peers using a set of principles based on a 12-step program designed to help people get sober and stay that way. A key part of the program is choosing a sponsor who is a former addict that has remained sober for an extended period of time. Your sponsor will provide you with support and guidance on your road to recovery.

Lifestyle Changes

• In order for you to be successful with detoxing and staying sober, you will need to make some changes in the way you live. You may have to disassociate with people you used to party with and surround yourself with more positive influences. You should also steer clear of places or things that might be triggers for you.

  Eating better, exercising and sleeping well are important self-help steps you can take in your detox process. By consuming a balanced diet, you will have more energy and be less likely to have severe mood swings. Likewise, exercise can release endorphins to help you feel better and improve your mood. A solid eight hours of sleep will help your body rejuvenate and give you energy.

  For any ongoing medical or psychological problems you are experiencing that may have caused you to turn to drugs or alcohol in the first place, you should seek professional help so that you don’t relapse. You should also try to minimize your stress and look for healthy ways to cope with life’s difficulties, allowing you to ultimately be able to stay clean and sober.