Your Care Instructions

If you drink alcohol regularly and then suddenly stop, you may go through some physical and emotional problems while the alcohol clears out of your system. Clearing the alcohol from your body is called detoxification, or detox. Physical and emotional problems that may happen during detox are called withdrawal.

Symptoms of withdrawal can be scary and dangerous. Mild symptoms include nausea and vomiting, sweating, shakiness, and intense worry. Severe symptoms include being confused and irritable, feeling things on your body that are not there, seeing or hearing things that are not there, and trembling. You may even have seizures. If your symptoms become severe you must see a doctor. People who drink large amounts of alcohol should not try to detox at home. A person can die of severe alcohol withdrawal.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may begin from 4 to 12 hours after you stop drinking. But they may not start for several days after the last drink. They can last a few days.

It is hard to stop drinking. But when you have cleared the alcohol from your system, you will be able to start the next part of your life, free from the burden of being dependent.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Before you stop drinking, talk to your doctor about how you plan to stop. Be sure to be completely honest with the doctor about how much you have been drinking. Your doctor will figure out whether you need to detox in a supervised medical centre.
• Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor or nurse advice line if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
• Make sure someone you trust is with you the whole time. Have friends and family members take turns staying with you until you are done with detox.
• Put a list of emergency numbers near the phone. This should include your doctor, the police, the nearest hospital and emergency room, and neighbours who can help if needed.
• Make sure all alcohol is removed from the house before you start. This includes beverages as well as medicines, rubbing alcohol, and certain flavourings like vanilla extract.
• Keep "drinking buddies" away during the time you are going through detox.
• Make your surroundings calm. Soft lights, soft music, and a comfortable place to sit or lie down can help make the process easier.
• Drink lots of fluids and eat snacks such as fruit, cheese and crackers, and pretzels. Foods high in carbohydrate may help reduce the craving for alcohol.
• Understand that detox is going to be hard.
• Keep in mind that the people watching over you during detox are there to help. Explain to them before you start that you may not act like yourself until detox is finished.
• Consider joining a support group such as LifeRing or Alcoholics Anonymous. Sharing your experiences with other people who face similar challenges may help you feel less overwhelmed.
• If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, or feeling hopeless, get help right away. Call your provincial suicide hotline or Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566, or go to www.crisisservicescanada.ca for more information.