Do Detox Drinks Work for Alcohol? Considering the rise of trends like ‘’detox diets’’ and “juice cleanses”, wanting to try out an alcohol detox may be tempting. Alcohol detox drinks are marketed as beverages that claim to “flush alcohol” out of the body and promote wellness. The reality is that detox drinks do not work for alcohol. Factually, you can take nothing to make your body quickly dispose of toxins. Although you can use these drinks to rehydrate, there is no scientific data to back the claims of detox eliminating alcohol from your system.
So, what’s the best alternative for passing an alcohol test or getting alcohol out of your system fast? Read our guide to discover doctors’ recommended ways and debunk common myths about alcohol detoxes. Don’t worry about the alcohol treatment cost. ChoicePoint offers insurance-covered alcohol treatment plans.
Table of Contents
What Are Alcohol Detox Drinks?
The word ‘detox’ refers to cleansing the body of toxic/addictive substances. Detox drinks for Alcohol are drinkable concoctions that are supposed to help the body eliminate alcohol. People may also use detox kits to evade random drug tests or to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol detox drinks can be store-bought or homemade. Whichever the case may be, these kits carry the same objective, which is to filter out toxins faster.
Why Do People Use Alcohol Detox Drinks?
Aid in Hydration and Electrolyte balance |
Detox drinks like coconut water or lemon water can be used to counteract nausea, headaches, and vomiting.
These are infused with electrolytes, which maintain electrolyte balance and help with hydration. |
Supporting Liver Function |
DIY Alcohol detox, like green tea and ginger tea, has been implicated in supporting liver function, which can keep the alcohol clearance rate optimal. |
Alleviate Symptoms |
Drinking lemon water can reduce the intensity of hangover symptoms by promoting hydration. |
Replenish Nutrients |
Chronic drinking can lead to losing essential vitamins and minerals from the body.
Opting for a watermelon or avocado smoothie detox can replenish the stores of these deficient nutrients. |
It is highly recommended not to go for quitting alcohol cold turkey. It can be fatal, and alcohol withdrawal can lead to more serious consequences. ChoicePoint is a top-rated alcohol rehab center that has helped many patients struggling with alcohol abuse or binge drinking habits. Safe and rapid alcohol detox under medical supervision can help you quickly get alcohol out of your system and also provide long-term support. Call us at 844.445.2565, and you will find yourself in the hands of the most caring and supportive clinical staff. Get help today!
Please note this assessment is an initial self-screening, and it is not meant to be a medical assessment or clinical diagnosis of addiction. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint.
Do Detox Drinks Work for Alcohol Tests?
Alcohol tests are conducted to detect recent or chronic alcohol consumption in an individual. They are mostly sought for legal or health reasons. A specimen like hair, saliva, or breath is collected and tested to find traces of alcohol.
In an attempt to achieve a false negative and outrun drug tests, many people turn to purchasing detox kits. There are several mechanisms by which detox kits attempt to mask blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
These include:-
- oxidation of metabolites
- decreasing the alcohol concentration below the detection threshold
- preventing interaction of the testing agent with alcohol
As of now, the success of detox kits has been understudied. There is no guarantee that they work. Moreover, the health risks of detox kits are considerable. The most effective way to lower your blood alcohol level is to abstain because how long does it takes to detox from alcohol depends on many factors.
Ask an Expert!
Executive Clinical Director at ChoicePoint
What is the role of an alcohol detox kit?The role of alcohol detox drinks is to instantly remove traces of alcohol from the body to the point that it cannot be detected in the blood. It's important to note that although these kits seem to be the “quick fix” for passing drug tests, they aren’t the most effective. Tampering with drug tests comes with serious consequences, both legally and health-wise.
Most Asked Query
Does a Detox Drink Remove Alcohol From Your Urine So That You Can Pass a Urine Test?
Detox drinks do not remove alcohol from the body. There is no ‘natural method’ that quickly gets rid of alcohol.“Detoxing” the body itself is a myth. Our natural detoxification system is sufficient to clear out waste. Excretory organs like the liver, skin, and kidneys are highly specialized to break down substances at a fixed rate. Each organ has its mechanisms to eliminate toxins. They do not require the support of detox drinks.
Alternative Detox Therapies for Alcohol- Medical Detox
Medical Alcohol detox is the first line of treatment to cure symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. These detox therapies aim to make the withdrawal process safe and comfortable for patients, allowing them to reach sobriety. Unlike detox drinks and kits, which are used at home without any supervision, medical detox is performed by a team of licensed physicians and therapists. Both medication-assisted treatment and behavioral therapy are employed.
According to the FDA, store-bought detox kits may also contain harmful ingredients that are detrimental to health. Contrary to that, medical detoxes are safe and effective. To commence a medical detox regimen, a patient struggling with alcohol addiction undergoes an alcohol evaluation test.
Questions for evaluation include aspects like
- Medical history
- Duration of alcohol abuse
- Expected outcomes
Using the test results, a holistic treatment plan is designed to cater to the needs of the patient. They may also be monitored by a nurse who will track progress and note any side effects from therapy.
Dangers of Quitting Alcohol
Popular Drug Therapies for Alcohol Abuse
Here are the most commonly prescribed Medicines to treat alcohol use disorder that can help reduce cravings, prevent relapse, and support long-term recovery from alcohol abuse.
Acamprosate for Alcohol Use Disorder
Acamprosate for alcohol works by decreasing alcohol cravings. Its main mechanism of action is by stabilizing the neural pathways in the brain. In turn, this promotes abstinence from alcohol.
Disulfiram for Alcohol Use Disorder
Disulfiram for alcohol works by reacting with alcohol and producing a series of symptoms that cause distress to the patient. Most of these symptoms are mild, i.e, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Overall, the goal of disulfiram is to discourage the patient from taking alcohol in the first place.
Naltrexone: (Vivitrol Injectable)
Drinking alcohol is linked with feelings of euphoria and excitement. Naltrexone for alcohol works to overcome those positive feelings by blocking them. In conclusion, naltrexone makes it less pleasurable to drink. This drug is also implicated in opioid therapy.
Are you struggling with Alcoholism? ChoicePoint Can Help: Offering Insurance-Covered Alcohol Detox!
Recognizing early signs of alcohol addiction is vital so that appropriate steps can be taken to counteract the problem. If you find that your habit is affecting your personal life, it may be worth considering talking to a specialist. ChoicePoint offers a personalized alcohol treatment plan that can help you get started. All programs offered are insurance-covered. We are also in-network with major insurance plans so that you don’t have to stress about the financial aspect of the treatment plan.
Find out more about the kinds of treatments to help you get started.
- Online Alcohol Counseling
- Virtual Alcohol MAT program
- Alcohol Outpatient Rehab
- PHP Alcohol Rehab
- IOP Detox
- Inpatient Treatment
- Detox
- Support Groups
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Our clinical staff is available 24/7. You can schedule an appointment or make a call at 844.445.2565 right away. Your concerns will be addressed, and we will help you to start your journey toward a sober life. So, get help today.
Do Alcohol Detox Drinks Really Work?- Summing Up
While detox drinks can help support recovery from alcohol intoxication, they are not meant to be used as a means of elimination. There are no credible sources to back the effectiveness of these drinks, thus rendering alcohol detox drinks a myth. The only means of clearing the body from traces of alcohol is time and abstinence. In the case of alcohol withdrawal (where abstinence can be particularly challenging), specific therapies and medical detoxes can get alcohol out of your system fast and safely. Popular examples of treatment therapies include inculcating support groups and offering one-on-one counseling sessions.
FAQs Related to Do Detox Drinks Work for Alcohol?
How Can I Avoid Alcohol Intoxication?
Before attending an event where you know you’ll be drinking, try to eat beforehand. Having small carbohydrate-rich snacks lowers the systemic absorption of alcohol, leading to a lesser likelihood of intoxication.
Once you start drinking, drink one glass of water after or with every drink. This makes you want to drink less and keeps you hydrated, too. Hence, when the hangover commences, it will not be as profound. Lastly, learn when to say no to shots/drinks from friends, and buy an appetizer to share with friends instead of single-handedly taking down shots.
How Long Does Alcohol Stay in the System?
Multiple factors like a person’s age, sex, how much they have drunk, and how quickly they drank determine how long alcohol stays in the system. Some tests can detect traces for up to several weeks, whereas others are limited to 24 hours.
Specimen | How long can it detect alcohol |
Urine | 12- 24 hours |
Breath | 12- 24 hours |
Blood | 12-24 hours |
Hair | 90 days |
Are Alcohol Detox Kits Safe?
Natural detox drinks are relatively safe unless they are consumed in excess. On the other hand, store-bought alcohol detox kits may be far more dangerous. Most of these kits come with unregulated ingredients, meaning they may contain illegal or harmful substances. Some side effects of detox kits include:-
- Vomiting and Diarrhea– Some kits contain a large amount of diuretics and laxatives to expel alcohol from the body. Too much water and electrolyte loss push the body out of balance, causing these symptoms.
- Psychosis, Aggression, and Depression– A variety of central nervous symptoms have been attributed to the use of unknown mushrooms in drug kits.
- Gastrointestinal Disruption– Compounds like pepper, green tea, and turmeric may irritate the gastric lining by causing pain, fever, etc.
- Rare Symptoms like heart disease, renal failure, etc.
What Is the Best Detox Drink for Alcohol?
Diy detox drinks like green tea and lemon water are excellent for curbing hangover symptoms. Both options allow a safe and easy natural detox at home. These teas contain anti-inflammatory properties that promote electrolytic balance and hydration.
Additional Resources
- Does Xanax Help With Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
- Does Alcohol Increase Yeast Infections?
- How Can Alcohol Withdrawal Kill You
- BCBS Alcohol Rehab in NJ
- How Long Does Alcohol Stay In Your System?
- Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Alcohol Detox?
- How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your Blood?
- Naltrexone 50 mg Film-Coated Tablet
- Where Can I Get Naltrexone Injection?
References
- Cederbaum, A. I. (2012). Alcohol metabolism. Clinics in Liver Disease, 16(4), 667–685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cld.2012.08.002
- LaHood, A. J., & Kok, S. J. (2025). Ethanol toxicity. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557381/
- “Detoxes” and “cleanses”: What you need to know. (n.d.). NCCIH. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/detoxes-and-cleanses-what-you-need-to-know
Medical Disclaimer:
ChoicePoint aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice please consult your physicians or ChoicePoint's qualified staff.