Alcohol Detox at Home

Alcohol Detox at Home

Alcohol detox at home can range from a simple uncomplicated process to a life threatening medical event. When a person experiences the signs and symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal, the person should seek medical guidance and supervision. Alcohol detox at home can be relatively safe and comfortable if the person going through withdrawal is receiving competent medical care. Competent medical care includes physician or nurse practitioner supervision and an on-site person monitoring and assisting in the withdrawal process. For moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal the on-site person should be a qualified registered nurse.

Alcohol Detox at Home: Concierge level of Care

Executive Home Detox offers a fully immersive model of care for the person experiencing moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal. A qualified registered nurse stays with the person throughout the medical detox process. The nurse’s focus is on safety, comfort and privacy. The nurse monitors the vital signs of the client including Blood Pressure, Pulse, Respirations and Oxygen Saturation. In addition the nurse continually monitors the comfort of the patient and medicates the patient with prescribed medication to assure the most comfortable alcohol withdrawal possible. Sleep and hydration is also monitored and assessed on an ongoing basis.

Hydration is a very important aspect of withdrawal management. The nurse will encourage the intake of water and assorted drinks to benefit the client. IV Hydration is rarely needed.

Sleep is almost a universal problem for clients in need of a medical detox. The EHD nurse will set his or her alarm and check on the client multiple times throughout the night. If the client is awake, the nurse will take a set of vital signs and usually provide comfort medications to assist ongoing sleep. By day three or four, the physician usually orders a non-addictive sleep aid. The nurse will assess the sleep aid’s efficacy.

A qualified registered nurse is needed in the event the client has a seizure or delirium tremens. Both conditions or events are rare, but do occur in a small percentage of clients.

Alcohol Detox at Home: Recovery coaching and Aftercare

The nurse’s focus, during the detox process, is on safety, comfort and privacy.  Additionally, an aftercare plan is presented to the patient that includes: possible medications that may ease and promote abstinence, referral to an appropriate therapist, referral to an aftercare group if desired and available, and accompaniment to self-help meeting if the patient is agreeable. The nurse offers recovery coaching based on the strengths of the patient. The patient is a partner in the aftercare and recovery process.

An “Alcohol Detox at Home” is an effective and relatively comfortable treatment option for patients experiencing withdrawal from alcohol as long as there is adequate medical supervision in the home.