Can You Sweat Out Alcohol Withdrawals in A Sauna?
It is a widely known fact that alcohol abuse impacts people and families across the globe. And if alcohol abuse has become a personal (or family) issue, being armed with knowledge of alcohol detox is crucial.
Understanding the effects of alcohol on the body, including the withdrawal process, is essential for effective treatment and recovery. So, does a sauna help with alcohol detox?
People are often drawn to saunas because of claims that say they help the body remove toxins. If you are ceasing the use of alcohol or other harmful substances, it makes sense that you might be interested in using a sauna to ease withdrawal symptoms.
South Shore Detox provides evidence-based detox and addiction treatment services. Let’s talk about what you should know about sauna use and alcohol detox, including benefits, risks, and precautions.
Does a Sauna Help with Alcohol Detox?
Sauna usage has benefits. In some cases, people recovering from alcohol abuse may find that it is a helpful tool. Some people combine sauna use with more conventional addiction treatment services. However, using a sauna does not replace medical treatment for withdrawal symptoms.
Saunas promote sweating. However, the amount of toxins excreted via sweat is very small. Your liver and kidneys (not your skin) are the organs most responsible for eliminating toxins. So, while it can make you feel good, it is not a reliable route for toxin removal.
Additionally, if you have a physical dependence on alcohol and stop drinking, you are at risk of withdrawal symptoms. These can range from mild to severe. Medical detox is often necessary for this reason.
What are the Benefits of Sauna Therapy for Substance Abuse?
Whether someone has a substance use disorder or not, they may be drawn to the potential benefits of sauna bathing. Possible benefits of sauna use for those facing substance abuse can include, but aren’t limited to:
- Those who have stopped drinking often need to find healthy ways to manage daily life stressors. Sauna use can promote relaxation and relieve stress. Likely, this is because it can stimulate your sympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” part of the nervous system).
- Pain relief. People with substance use disorders who are managing chronic pain conditions, or for those in stages of the detox process where sauna use is safe, might use saunas for pain relief.
- Good circulation is crucial for your overall health. Sauna use increases blood flow by widening your blood vessels and enhancing circulation.
- Cardiovascular health. Sauna bathing has been linked to a lower risk of fatal coronary heart disease, sudden cardiac death, fatal cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality.
- Immune function. Research suggests that sauna use can boost the immune system.
Improved sleep is another potential advantage. One questionnaire regarding sauna use found that over 83% of participants reported sleep benefits.
What are the Risks of Using a Sauna for Alcohol Detox?
Even though sauna use can be a part of a healthy lifestyle, everyone who uses a sauna should take certain precautions. Here are some of the main risks associated with sauna use.
- Heat stroke. Characterized by an elevated core body temperature, heat stroke can result in organ damage, death, or coma.
- Excessive sweating during sauna therapy can cause dehydration. To avoid this, drink plenty of water before, during, and after your sauna session. Do not enter a sauna if you are currently dehydrated.
As for limitations, it’s important to understand that sauna therapy cannot replace recommended treatments for mental or physical health conditions. This includes substance use disorders, such as alcohol use disorder.
Precautions for Those in Active Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol consumption during sauna bathing raises the risk of some health complications. These include hypotension (low blood pressure), arrhythmia, and sudden death. If you have consumed alcohol recently, it is best to avoid sauna use at this time.
Those in the early stages of the alcohol detox process should consult with a medical professional first to confirm that sauna use is okay. Sometimes, a provider might recommend that you wait a short period of time.
Incorporating Sauna Therapy in Alcohol Abuse Recovery
In addition to inpatient detox and residential treatment services, we offer several outpatient programs with different time commitments. Outpatient clients at South Shores Detox and Recovery live off-site, whereas residential inpatient clients live on-site for the duration of their program.
Outpatient clients may choose to incorporate sauna use into their daily lives. Specifically, those who are good candidates for sauna therapy.
Suggestions for New Sauna Users Seeking to Detox
If this is your first type trying a sauna, you might wonder how to get started. Here are some common recommendations for new sauna users.
- Follow the instructions. First, and most importantly, be sure to follow instructions closely when you use a sauna. Different saunas come with different instructions for use.
- Start with short sauna sessions. Starting with a shorter session can help you get a better idea of your body’s reaction to sauna use. Begin with the lowest recommended session length.
- Be mindful of how your body feels. Exit the sauna immediately if you experience a sudden headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, or extreme thirst.
- Inform a healthcare provider. If you have never used a sauna before and have any health concerns or questions, you may want to talk with your doctor first. They can provide individualized guidance on safety measures.
Saunas are often found in spaces such as wellness spas. Employees should be able to answer questions about the specific saunas used at their facility and guide you through your first sessions.
The Importance of Medical Intervention for Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Even though sauna bathing can have health benefits, it’s essential that you don’t attempt to replace treatment for withdrawal symptoms or mental health issues with sauna use. For more than one reason, it is not safe to attempt to replace medical detox programs with sauna sessions.
The most dangerous form of alcohol withdrawal (delirium tremens) occurs in about 1 in 20 people who experience withdrawal symptoms. Delirium tremens, also called DT or alcohol withdrawal delirium, can cause dramatic changes to vital signs, like blood pressure or heart rate. This puts you at risk of complications like death, stroke, or heart attack.
Alcohol withdrawal also comes with the risk of dehydration. Medications and other treatments, like the administration of fluids, can be necessary for people in alcohol detox. Medical detox provides inpatient monitoring for people going through the detoxification process. That way, withdrawal symptoms can be addressed right away.
Next Steps: What Happens After Detox?
Detox is just the first step toward addiction recovery. Ongoing therapy is necessary for those overcoming alcohol abuse. While detox helps you stop drinking alcohol safely, therapy for addiction provides coping skills, helps you repair relationships with loved ones, and aids in the development of healthy routines.
You can get therapy for addiction in inpatient or outpatient settings. When you talk to the admissions team at South Shores Detox, we will help you find the right starting level of care.
Call South Shores Detox for Holistic Alcohol Detox Support
South Shores Detox provides detox, residential inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs for substance abuse. We’re here to guide you or your loved one through every stage of the recovery process, as the mind and body heal from alcohol addiction and its effects.
Please call our admissions line to get in touch with our Southern California-based team today. Whether you have questions about the detox and recovery process or are ready to secure a placement in our programs, we’re here to help.
FAQs About Sauna Use for Alcohol Detoxification
Is a sauna good for alcohol recovery?
Some people recovering from alcohol addiction find that sauna use has a positive impact on their physical and mental well-being. However, saunas cannot replace medical detox or therapy services.
How to sweat out alcohol faster?
It isn’t possible to “sweat out” alcohol. Over 90% of alcohol is eliminated by the liver. Only a small amount (about 2-5%) is excreted via urine, breath, or sweat.
Does sauna help detox the liver?
No. Sauna use can promote blood flow and circulation, which can support the detox process and is necessary for optimal liver function. However, it is not a primary detox pathway.
What is an infrared sauna?
An infrared sauna is a kind of sauna that emits infrared light waves. These light waves head the body directly rather than heating the air around you. Compared to traditional saunas, some people find that infrared saunas are more comfortable.
Resources
- Cardiovascular and other health benefits of Sauna Bathing: A review of the evidence – mayo clinic proceedings. (n.d.-a).
- MM;, H. J. R. (n.d.). A hot topic for health: Results of the global sauna survey. Complementary therapies in medicine.
- S;, H. M. (n.d.). Benefits and risks of Sauna Bathing. The American journal of medicine.
- Alcohol withdrawal. Harvard Health. (2024, November 5).
- Paton, A. (2005, January 8). Alcohol in the body. BMJ (Clinical research ed.).
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022, April 14). Why infrared saunas are “cooler” than traditional saunas.