Detox From Alcohol At Home: A Step-By-Step Guide To Our Service

Detoxing from alcohol is a big decision, and for many people, the thought of going to hospital or rehab can feel overwhelming. The good news is that mild–moderate alcohol withdrawals can be managed safely at home with the right medical support.

At AIR Detox, we provide a doctor-led, structured 7-day home alcohol detox program, available in-person across the Gold Coast and Australia-wide via telehealth. If you’ve been searching for a safe and supported detox service that allows you to stay at home, this guide explains exactly how our process works.

What Is A Medical Detox And Why You May Need One

When someone who drinks heavily stops alcohol suddenly, or even reduces it too quickly, they can experience withdrawal symptoms. These may include tremors, sweating, nausea, anxiety, agitation, poor sleep and, in higher-risk cases, seizures or delirium tremens. Severe alcohol withdrawal is a medical condition and can be dangerous if not managed with proper care.

A medical detox is a structured process where withdrawal is supported with prescription medication, daily medical reviews, and clear safety monitoring. The goal is to:

• reduce withdrawal symptoms
• lower the risk of complications (including seizures)
• support sleep and anxiety
• make the process safer and more comfortable

Traditionally, people would need to be admitted to hospital or a residential facility for a medically supervised detox. With AIR Detox it is now possible to complete a fully medically supervised detox from home. AIR Detox provides doctor-led home detox across Australia via telehealth, with in-person reviews available for people living on the Gold Coast.

Why People Are Choosing a Home Detox Over Facility-Based Detox

Until recently, a medically supervised detox typically required admission to a hospital or residential facility for several days. With the introduction of our service, people can now access the same level of medical oversight from the privacy and comfort of their own home, provided they meet safety criteria.

There are several reasons why many Australians are now choosing a home-based detox:

• Privacy: You can detox without taking extended time away from family, work, or your usual routines. No one needs to know you are receiving treatment, except your support person, unless you choose to tell them.
• Comfort: Being at home reduces anxiety and improves engagement with the process.
• Safety: Your detox is monitored daily by a clinician, with regular check-ins and 24/7 support throughout the week. This allows us to respond promptly to symptoms and ensure the process remains safe.
• Flexibility: You don’t need to wait for a facility or hospital bed to become available. Once your assessment and blood tests are complete, you can begin when you are ready.
• Effectiveness: Evidence shows that for appropriate patients, a medically supervised home-based detox can be just as safe as inpatient care. The key factor is medical suitability not the location.

For many people seeking an alternative to traditional inpatient detox or rehab, a doctor-led home detox offers a safe, evidence-based and highly flexible option.

The majority of people we assess for a home detox meet the eligibility criteria to safely withdraw from alcohol at home. This makes accessing alcohol detox more accessible and less daunting than a residential clinic or rehab facility. To ensure safety, we carefully assess every patient before starting treatment. You may be suitable for an at-home detox if:

• You are over 16
• You have a safe and supportive home environment
• You have a support person who can be with you during the 7-day withdrawal period (they don’t need any medical experience, they simply need to be present, sober, and able to contact your doctor if needed.)
• You are not using other substances that could increase withdrawal risk
• You do not have acute suicidality, psychosis, or severe uncontrolled medical conditions
• You are medically stable and able to participate in daily reviews

Your suitability for a home detox is determined during your free consultation with our doctor, so if you are unsure please don’t hesitate to reach out to check your eligibility.

Step-by-Step: How the AIR Detox Program Works

Step 1: Free Pre-Assessment

When you first contact us we will conduct a brief eligibility screening to understand your drinking pattern, medical background, and general safety for a home detox. We use evidence-based screening tools, including the K10 (psychological distress) and the SADQ (severity of alcohol dependence), to help determine your risk level. We explain how a home detox works, what support you’ll need, and answer any initial questions. If home detox appears suitable, we book you in for a full medical assessment.

Step 2: Comprehensive Telehealth Medical Assessment

This is a 30-minute appointment with our doctor. It includes:

• A thorough medical and mental health history
• Review of current medications
• Discussion of past withdrawal experiences
• Assessment of your home environment
• Confirm availability of a support person
• Review of recent blood tests (or we arrange new ones)

Once your blood tests have been reviewed, we can confirm whether an alcohol detox at home is safe for you.

Step 3: Preparing for Detox Day

Once your safety and eligibility has been approved:

• We’ll arrange an appointment with you and your support person to run through the final preparations for the detox
• We send you all monitoring equipment (for telehealth detox)
• You are given a direct 24/7 phone line to your doctor during your detox week

We also ask you to take thiamine (Vitamin B1) to help protect your brain during the withdrawal period. Your doctor will also discuss your tailored medication plan and expected symptom timeline.

Step 4: The 7-Day Home Detox

This is where the structured, doctor-led approach makes the process safe and manageable. You will have a daily clinician consultation in the morning for the first five days. These reviews assess symptoms, adjust your medications, and check in with your support person. We will also check in on you regularly throughout the day and you can contact your clinician at any time if you have any questions or concerns.

We follow evidence-based clinical guidelines for safe alcohol withdrawal. Your clinician will provide a personalised approach designed to:

• Reduce withdrawal symptoms
• Support sleep
• Manage anxiety
• Prevent complications

You are never alone during the detox. If symptoms worsen or unexpected issues arise, your clinician is always reachable as we provide 24/7 medical support. 

Step 5: The Stabilisation Phase (Days 5–7)

Most uncomfortable symptoms settle within the first four days. By day 5, we begin focusing on:

• Sleep regulation
• Managing cravings
• Reintroducing normal routine
• Planning your longer-term recovery supports

This is where confidence grows and where long-term support begins.

What Happens After Detox? 12-Months of Medical Support

Detox is the first step towards recovery. To maintain long-term change, you need the right medical guidance and support in the months that follow. That’s why AIR provides every patient with a personalised post-detox plan and 12 months of free medical follow-up to monitor your health, help reduce relapse risk, and help you navigate the next stage of recovery. As a medical service, our core role is to:

• provide ongoing medical reviews
• monitor physical and mental health
• support sleep, mood, and withdrawal-related symptoms
• adjust your recovery plan when needed
• coordinate care with your GP and other clinicians

After your detox, we send a detailed discharge summary to your regular GP (and any other healthcare providers you choose), ensuring they are fully informed and able to continue your ongoing care.

Our specialty is medical care, but our commitment to you extends beyond the detox week. We walk alongside you medically for 12 months and help you build the right support network around you. Patients who combine medical follow-up plus counselling or psychological support have the strongest chance of long-term stability. This continuity of medical care, combined with guided connection to the right supports, is one of the key reasons people choose AIR over traditional short-term detox or rehab stays.

Is a Home Detox Safe?

Yes, for the right person, and this is backed by international studies. Safety is central to our process and we ensure this by:

• Careful pre-assessment and medical evaluation
• Structured, evidence-based withdrawal management
• Daily clinician reviews
• A mandatory support person
• 24/7 access to medical care
• Clear escalation pathways if symptoms worsen

If at any point your symptoms suggest that inpatient care would be safer, we will assist you in transitioning to hospital promptly.

Alcohol Home Detox Available Across Australia

We provide medically supervised home detox services nationwide via telehealth, with in-person reviews available for people living on the Gold Coast. Learn more on our location pages for Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney or our Australia-wide page.

How to Get Started

You can self-refer to our service via our contact page and healthcare professionals can refer via Medical Objects (Dr Hok Yee Siu 480356GY), fax (07 3544 7657), email or phone. Please include any relevant medical history and current medications, previous alcohol withdrawal complications and recent blood tests if available.