The ideal way to go through acute withdrawal from alcohol or drugs is under constant medical supervision in a detox or medical facility. However, many people feel unable to do this, for many different reasons, such as real or imagined loss of social status, inconvenience, financial problems, or fears about the level of comfort or the other patients.
Although many people successfully go through withdrawal on their own, in rare cases, withdrawal symptoms can be severe and even dangerous if left untreated. So even if you choose to withdraw alone at home, keep some emergency numbers on hand: your regular doctor's out-of-hours number; your local addiction service number; and someone who can give you a ride or a local 24 hour a day taxi service.
If your withdrawal symptoms become severe, seek medical assistance immediately. If you can't get to a doctor, call 911.
