5 Must Do's When Going Through an Alcohol Detox

A bottle of Vodka per day and maybe a couple of crackers for a meal, if that!

Does that about sum up your drinking habits?

Drinking that much Alcohol on a consistent basis and then considering the physical consequences of trying to quit would be enough to scare the jeepers out of anyone!

If you have reached the point where you must have a drink in the morning just to stop the shakes then you are not in the best shape. In fact, you may want to seriously consider a medical detox. However, if for any reason a medical detox is not an option then I have 5 very strong suggestions for you.

These "Must Do's" are derivatives of years of experience and if followed precisely can greatly reduce the suffering endured from a traditional detox.

Lets start with the most important one first.

1. Stay Seated or Lying Down

I cannot stress the importance of this one enough!

However, before I go any further, let me clarify exactly what I mean by this. I do NOT mean that you cannot get up and stretch your legs. I do NOT mean that you cannot take a little stroll around the house. It is important that you do move around a bit so that your body does not cramp up on you.

What I DO mean is that you should stay within falling distance of a chair, couch, or bed at all times. You never know when your body is going to give out on you. Also, since alcoholics going through a detox are very prone to seizures, you don't want to be jogging around the block when all of the sudden you start flopping about like a fish out of water.

This could mean severe, if not fatal, injury to you and a big bloody mess to clean up for an unsuspecting neighbor.

2. Be Sure To Have Someone Watching Over You

This "Must Do" is equally important to #1.

There are a number of potentially fatal scenarios that could unfold as a result of your detox. If you were to throw up in your sleep and start choking on your own vomit, you would be in a lot of trouble if there were no one around to help you. Another very likely scenario is the occurrence of a Grand Mal Seizure. If you were to go into a flop and crack your head open with no one around, this could be a recipe for disaster.

So, never try to detox alone!

3. Stay Close To A Restroom

Vomiting and diarrhea are inevitable alcohol withdraw symptoms. Should you not be near a restroom/toilet at all times, you may soon find yourself bathing in your own excrement. I know this sounds a bit vivid but it is truth.

It would also be in your best interest to keep a large bucket near your bed in the event that you are hit with a surprise outburst of vomit.

4. Drink Lots of Water

I know this one sounds a bit elementary; however, it is just as important as the rest of them. I don't think that most people realize the beating their body endures during their drinking bouts.

The majority of alcoholics go on roaring benders and severely dehydrate their bodies. Dehydration can exponentially increase the amount of suffering involved in a detox. In addition, not keeping yourself hydrated during a detox could also be a fatal mistake.

So DRINK WATER!

5. Eat Lots of Sweets

Wait...What? I bet that is the first time you have ever heard someone suggest eating a lot of candy!

This is everyone's favorite "Must Do" and it is easy to see why. It was discovered quite some time ago that sweets (primarily chocolate) greatly aided in helping a detoxing alcoholic maintain a certain level of comfort. It might not make sense to you now but trust me; you will understand what I mean later.

Now that you have this information in hand, USE IT! The hardest thing for an alcoholic to do is follow simple instructions and here is your opportunity to make your first change.

Follow the 5 "Must Do's" in your detox process and see the results. Then pass it on to someone else!