Detox at home

[fridgegrazer]

I have to be responsible for a family member doing a detox at home. I met with the person and a nurse about the detox, but it was months ago now - they have only just got a place in rehab after 8 months or more of meetings, tests, appointments etc - and I am sure I have forgotten some stuff.

I have to take them to the next town every morning to be tested and I remember the nurse saying I have to "have eyes on them" at all times - I understand that neither of us can go out except for these visits. I am so worried in case he has seizures and maybe I am asleep or something.

Has anyone seen someone through a detox at home and if so, please can you give me any information or tips?

This sounds potentially very dangerous. How much is your relative currently drinking?

What meds are they prescribing for the detox op?

Have they passed as safe to detox at home? Any past seizures? It can be done at home yes but only if safe to do so.

They will likely prescribe a reducing regime of a drug called librium (chlordiazepoxide) which will help prevent seizures and help with withdrawal symptoms. Seizures are more likely if someone stops heavy drinking very suddenly without a detox such as this.

I'm not sure how much they're currently drinking - they drink cans of lager, no spirits or wine, but a lot of cans.

They haven't had seizures before.

They have been cleared as safe for detox at home - I went with them to see the nurse about it, but it was ages ago. I don't know if the nurse told me the name of the medication or not (I don't think he did) but I can't remember it now. The procedure was explained to me - but it was this phrase "you have to have eyes on them" which keeps coming back to me. I have to sleep sometime and I can't watch them while they sleep anyway.

I'm sorry I sound so useless - I love the relative dearly but I feel I am a bit old for this. I have said I will do it though so I will, otherwise they will not be able to go into rehab the following week. I was hoping there would be someone who had done this before who could give me some idea what to expect. But then I suppose everyone is different anyway.

Thank you for your help everyone.

On day one - they seem to be doing OK so far. I'll be relieved when this week's over though, just a shame it's a bank holiday weekend.
Thanks for the advice.

Having done several detoxs with my brother you need to be very prepared for it not to work. They'll tell every lie and use every trick in the book to get drink. They may even just flat out tell you there are off out and there's nothing you can do. They may also become quite agitated and sick (sweats , dnv hallucinations, vivid dreams, imsomnia going off food) , may refuse to take the medication or pretend to take it. Then again everything could be fine. You basically just have to be prepared for anything

I've been through an at home detox. The first thing is are they doing it voluntarily and are onboard? If so, they won't go out and buy alcohol so don't worry about that.
Keep eyes on, but yes, you need to sleep. Taking and organising the medication will be too confusing for them. Please sort this and give it to them at the right time and the right amount, I'm sure you've got any the info now but it will taper down so you need to follow that to avoid seizures.
Keep them hydrated. Water or squash near them, they might need a closed lid cup as the tremors can get bad. Straw can help too.
If you don't mind could you sleep in the same room as them? Then you're there if they need help going to the toilet and can hear if they're in distress.
The drugs help but detox can still be painful and emotionally difficult. They may need to rock, pace or just sit staring into space. You do not need to be in the same room all the time but near enough to hear of there's a problem.
Please know if they take any anger out on you they do not mean it. It's scary, terrifying and you can feel as if you're losing yourself, your soul and your life. But as the detox continues the light comes back, the feeling of doom lessens and physical symptoms get easier.
You are doing an amazing thing helping them through this. Thank you. Look after yourself though too.

I'm sorry I haven't been back on my thread before now - I didn't get notifications for some reason so I didn't know there were any new comments. My family member has now finished detox and gone into rehab. I think, reading your comments, that we had a fairly straightforward time of it, they blew 0 every day on the breathalyser and the worst thing they seemed to suffer was extreme tiredness. I really hope they manage to finish their rehab - dropped them off this morning.
Thank you everyone.