What Is Detox?

The First Step At An Addiction Treatment Center

When you give your body the chance to rid itself of the chemicals that are the by-products created when your body motabolizes drugs and alcohol, it is considered detoxification (AKA detox).  This is usually the initial step in an alcohol and drug treatment program at an addiction treatment center.  The method of disposal of the toxins includes urine, sweat, and breathing.  So drinking lots of fluids, especially those with electrolytes, is critical during the detoxification process.
The detox process should be done at an addiction treatment center where trained addiction specialists can monitor the person undergoing the detox process.  Residential addiction treatment centers have been shown to be a cost effective and successful approach to pursuing drug and alcohol detox, and they are usually much more comfortable than a hospital setting. 
The detox process should be following up by addiction alcohol and drug treatment at the addiction treatment center if the addict is expected to have the best chances for long term sobriety.  One-on-one counseling with an addiction specialist and group therapy with other addicts are common practices at almost all addiction treatment center.
It is critical that the addict's motivation for seeking help at the addiction treatment center are in the right place.  If the addict is only seeking help as a result of outside pressure, then their chances of success at sobriety will be minimized.  Experience demonstrates that an addict must have reached such a low point in their addiction that their level of internal despair is motivating them to make the necessary changes in their life.  If the addict can make it through the drug or alcohol detox at the addiction treatment center and then not forget how miserable their life was when they were drinking or using, they will be motivated enough to pursue further alcohol and drug treatment and their chances of long-term sobriety will be increased.