I never detoxed on my own except for the last time after I had relapsed and wasn't so heavily in yet. The prior two times I did hospital detox. It was well worth it. The time I did it myself, however, I did see my doctor, told her what I was doing, and got medication to help.
My doctor was aware of my alcoholism as she happened to coincidentally be the duty doctor when I checked myself in to detox the second time.
If you see your doctor, be completely honest! They can't help if you don't share. And believe me, they've seen it all. Good luck.