Do You Need Alcohol Detox? How to Stop Drinking Safely

“I go to work every day. I take care of my kids. I don’t even drink until the evening. Surely I’m not someone who needs detox.”

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. We tend to picture someone who needs alcohol detox as a person whose life has completely fallen apart.

But your nervous system doesn’t check whether your bills are paid or you just got a promotion.

You can be keeping up with your responsibilities and still be physically dependent on alcohol. Whether you need medical help to stop drinking depends on your drinking patterns, withdrawal history, health, and other individual factors.

If you drink heavily and regularly, have experienced withdrawal before, or aren’t sure whether stopping is safe, contact a medical professional before abruptly changing your alcohol use. Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening.

Why Alcohol Withdrawal Happens

Think of your nervous system as a teeter-totter.

Alcohol slows act...