10 Worst Ways to Detox From Alcohol

After extensive drinking, you are going to need to detox from alcohol. Unfortunately, many people go about it in the wrong way. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, even small amounts of alcohol can have a profound effect on your body and brain. Although everyone seems to have a way that they detox from alcohol, there are a lot of things that make an alcohol detox a lot worse.

It is important to remember that if you are a heavy or binge drinker, alcohol withdrawal can kill you.

1. The Hair of the Dog – More Alcohol

If you are detoxing from alcohol the last thing you want to put in your body is more alcohol. It will dehydrate you more and just make the detox harder. Using the substance that you are trying to detox from while detoxing, just does not make any sense.

2. Complete Fast – Do Not Eat Anything

Although with the vomiting you might feel like a complete fast is the answer, it is not. You have to replenish the vitamins and minerals in your system or you will not detox safely. It is important to try to get something in your stomach, even if it is only crackers and broth during alcohol detox.

3. Skip the Vitamins

Eating unhealthy food during detox can exacerbate withdrawal symptoms.

Do not skip your vitamins. Many alcoholics suffer from thiamine, magnesium, and vitamin C deficiencies. The best thing you can do when detoxing from alcohol is to take a good multivitamin to replenish your system.

4. Grapefruit or Orange Juice – lemon water is best for detox

Grapefruit and orange juice are extremely acidic. This acid can seriously bother your stomach. Lemon and water is not nearly as harsh on your stomach and will help you get some of the fluids and vitamins you need.

5. Milk or Coffee, any Dairy Really

One of the worst things you can give your body when you are detoxing is dairy or caffeine. It will increase your vomiting and dehydration.

6. Not Replenishing Electrolytes

When you drink your body loses valuable electrolytes. This causes serious issues with the way that your body functions. You need to replenish these electrolytes to help recover from the dehydration.

7. Not Eating Anything Healthy while in Withdrawal

Many people believe in greasy or starchy food while they are in withdrawal. This is the last thing that you should do. Greasy unhealthy food only makes the problems your body is already experiencing worse.

8. Not using a Support Structure

When you are in withdrawal, you need people around you who are caring and supportive of what you are trying to do. Having someone around who understands is extremely helpful.

9. Not Resting while you are in Detox

Your body is going through changes. Even if you cannot sleep, you need your rest. Detox is extremely rough on most of your bodies systems, this is a good time to take a break.

10. Detoxing Alone

Detoxing from alcohol alone is dangerous. You could go into seizures, convulsions, heart or respiratory failure. It is best to detox of alcohol in a medical environment to make sure that you do so safely. To find a medical detox facility in your area call us at 800-996-6135(Who Answers?) . We can help you find treatment before it is too late.

Sources

1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Alcohol’s Effects on the Body.
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2017). Recovery and Recovery Support.