DIY detox

Many people do dry themselves out by either going 'cold turkey' or by persuading their GP to give them some medication without any supervision or support.

You need a detox because it's either not safe, or too uncomfortable, to stop drinking without medication.

You should therefore carry on drinking until your detox starts.

But try to drink as little as you can to avoid any withdrawal symptoms.

Don't be tempted to go out with a big binge on the last day before detox. You'll only make things much worse.

Don't have a drink after midnight the day before detox starts.

Make sure that you have:

• Stocked up with light food and drinks.
• Got enough things to pass the time: books, magazines, DVDs etc.
• Made plans for any work or child care commitments for the duration of the detox.
• Got rid of any alcohol in the house once the detox starts.
• Been to the pharmacy to collect your medication.
• Arranged who will be around you to help you, and who you need to keep away from you.

During the initial stages of detoxification - typically the first 3 days - you may feel unsteady, shaky and drowsy. It is important to make sure you are safe during this time, and whoever is supporting you at home will need to supervise smoking, pouring boiling water, bathing and so on.

If you feel thirsty, drink fruit juices and water, but don’t overdo it. You do not have to “flush” alcohol out of your system. More than 3 litres of fluid could be too much. Try not to drink coffee, cola drinks, Red Bull etc. These contain caffeine, which disturbs sleep and causes anxiety. Most people find their appetite returns very soon after stopping drinking. Even when you are not hungry, however, try to eat something.

Even with the correct dose of medication, you’ll still feel nervous and easily stressed during your detox. The important task is not to give in to any cravings for alcohol. Give yourself time off, look after yourself, and help yourself by doing whatever relaxes you. Remember that all the symptoms you get during detox will get much better quickly if you stay alcohol free - if you feel desperately bad, try to keep this in mind and stick it out.

Even with the medication, your sleep may be disturbed. You need not worry about this. Lack of sleep does not harm you; starting to drink again does. Your sleep will gradually return to normal with time.

Remember that taking detox medicine with alcohol could be dangerous. Do not drive or operate machinery while taking the medication. Dispose of any extra medication after detox is complete by returning it to your pharmacy - do not keep any to use in the future.

Most detoxes go ahead relatively uneventfully. However, you should be aware that there are risks. Here’s what to look out for, and what to do:

A small percentage of patients may have a seizure – also called a fit – during detox. This is most likely during the first few days. Should this happen, make sure the patient is safe from falling or hurting themselves on sharp furniture edges. Stay calm, and when the fit has subsided, place them in the recovery position.

If the fit continues for more than 5 minutes, call an ambulance

The patient should never be restrained during a fit, and nothing should be placed in the mouth. Once the patient is safe, call your GP surgery.

If the patient develops these signs:

• Confusion
• Lack of Co-ordination (Ataxia)
• Paralysis of the eyes (Opthalmoplegia)
• Involuntary eye movement (Nystagmus)
• Memory Disturbance

They need URGENT assessment and treatment for Wernicke – Korsakoff syndrome: get the patient to Accident & Emergency as soon as possible

• Also known as ‘the DTs’ or ‘the horrors’, this acute alcohol withdrawal state is characterised by:
• Confusion / disorientation
• Agitation
• Hallucinations
• Fever

Again, the patient needs URGENT assessment and treatment – get them to Accident & Emergency as soon as possible

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