Home Detox Kits: Real or Fake

Have you seen the ads for home drug and alcohol detox kits? The majority of them say that they will detox your body in a few hours or days depending on the type of kit. Unfortunately, these claims are rarely true. Although some drug detoxes can be done safely at home, many are simply too dangerous. There are, however, some safe ways to detox from certain drugs with or without home detox kits.

Call any time to learn more about your detox and rehab treatment options.

800-996-6135

Do Not Try Home Detox Kits for These Drugs

Detoxing from alcohol is dangerous; seek professional treatment today!

For certain drugs, sudden withdrawal is extremely dangerous and should only be done either by tapering off the drug or with hospital and medical supervision. These drugs include alcohol and benzodiazepines.

Alcohol

Alcohol withdrawal is extremely dangerous, particularly if you are a heavy drinker. It can cause alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) or delirium tremens (DTs).

AWS: Most heavy drinkers or binge drinkers who try to quit suddenly are thrown into alcohol withdrawal syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by ever increasing dangerous symptoms such as: heart palpitations, high blood pressure, heart failure, and possible death.
DTs: Delirium tremens are a delirious state that is brought on by the absence of alcohol in heavy users. DTs are characterized by tremors, hallucinations, confusion, disorientation, fear, stupor, mood changes, seizures, and death. Delirium tremens occur in 5% of people withdrawing from alcohol.

Benzodiazepines

Detox from drugs like Xanax and diazepam is not safe without tapering after long-term use. Benzo withdrawal consists of several very dangerous symptoms like:

Convulsions
Tremors
Seizures
Elevated blood pressure
Confusion
Insomnia
Possible death due to heart failure or stroke

Detox kits are sold for both alcohol and benzos, as well as other drugs for which home detox can be unsafe. The detox kits available for these drugs are not only fake—they are dangerous.

Home Detox Kits for Other Substances

Home detox kits are sold for drugs like marijuana, opiates, and cocaine as well as alcohol and other drugs. Although these drugs are not always dangerous to detox from, the kits themselves are often simply combinations of ingredients that flush the body of substances. They may include:

Goldenseal – an herb that is a diuretic and can help flush the kidneys and bladder
Vinegar – common household red vinegar
Niacin – this may help with feelings of depression and anxiety
Vitamin C – helps to strengthen the immune system
Activated charcoal – a compound commonly used in hospitals to flush the digestive track

Although these can affect the body somewhat, they will not help with withdrawal symptoms or the metabolic and neurological changes the body goes through during withdrawal.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, the majority of home drug or alcohol detox kits have not been evaluated for effectiveness or safety. The majority of these kits also contain herbs that have not been evaluated.

For information on detoxing safely please call our helpline toll-free at 800-996-6135 .