Drug detox is meant to help you quit using the drug in a safe manner and as quickly as possible. This is usually the first step in a comprehensive addiction treatment program, and it should be done under medical supervision to avoid very dangerous side effects of the process.

The vast majority of the time, drug detox involves abruptly stopping use. A medication is often used to treat withdrawal symptoms, and it sometimes mimics some of the effects that the drug had on the individual’s brain. Some people go through detox in an outpatient treatment center, while many others require the help of a residential rehab program. This depends on the severity of the addiction, how long it has lasted, whether the person has tried to quit unsuccessfully in the past, and what substances are involved.The main categories of addictive drugs are depressants, stimulants, and opioids. The methods that are used to make detox more comfortable and more successful largely depend on what class of drugs was being abused. For example, some people who develop an addiction to prescription depressant drugs are able to slowly cut back use over time with professional help. This is not normally true of drug detox processes. There are also many forms of treatment available that only work for the opioid class of drugs, like heroin and OxyContin. The different groups often create different side effects during withdrawal.

After detox, you will be able to begin making the lifestyle changes that are necessary to beat a drug addiction long-term. Simply going through detox is not enough for the vast majority of people, because you have to break the patterns and habits that are associated with your drug abuse. You must deal with the emotional issues surrounding it. Drug rehabilitation is a multi-faceted effort of change.

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