Habitually heavy drinkers, or those who have only recently been drinking may want to self detox from alcohol so that they can rid their body of its toxins and wean themselves off alcohol altogether. After drinking heavily, it is common to have many side effects such as depression, confusion, nausea, fever, sweating, shaking, headaches, high blood pressure and increased heart rate. In most cases, self-detoxing from alcohol is safe and does not require a hospital stay, but in severe cases an individual may need medical attention to detox. Here are a few steps on how to self-detox from alcohol.
See your doctor before performing a self-detoxification. Your doctor will be able to tell if self-detoxification is a good idea in your particular case. In some instances, such as if you are a severe alcoholic, you may need medical attention in order to detox. Your doctor can also prescribe medications or suggest vitamins and supplements that will aid in your detoxification.
Stop drinking alcohol altogether, or consult your doctor about tapering off alcohol if you are a long-term heavy drinker. In this case, you may not be able to stop drinking alcohol altogether in the beginning.
Build a support system by telling someone close to you that you will be detoxing from alcohol. It is helpful if that person can stay with you while you detox, in case medical attention is needed, but also to provide emotional and psychological support that you may need.
Drink a lot of fluids, which will help to dilute alcohol and rehydrate the body. The most helpful fluids to drink are water, fruit and vegetable juices, teas, soups and broth.
Eat some proteins that are light such as fish, poultry or chicken soup. Proteins will provide sustenance and nutrition that your body needs while getting rid of toxins from alcohol.
Take vitamins and minerals that your body will need to replace after consuming large amounts of alcohol. The most common vitamins and minerals that you will need to take are Vitamin C, Vitamin B, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Consume a mostly alkaline diet that is low in fat, contains a moderate amount of protein and includes complex carbohydrates. Consuming large amounts of fruits and vegetables are ideal, as well as whole grains, eggs, poultry and fish.
Avoid processed and refined foods, and keep your diet low in sugar. Many alcoholics have problems with their blood sugar so avoiding sugary foods and drinks will aid in recovery. Fast foods that are fried, greasy and fatty should also be avoided because they are mostly acidic and not very nutritious.
Stay away from excess caffeine and cigarettes. It is common for alcoholics to begin smoking heavily or consuming large amounts of caffeine to compensate for a lack of alcohol, but staying away from these other addictions will be beneficial to overall health.
Exercise regularly to promote good health, and also to increase your endorphins that will make you feel better while detoxing.
Warnings: See your doctor before you begin to detox on your own. If you are a severe alcoholic or have done serious damage to your body, you may need medical attention to detox from alcohol.
