Is Detox The Same For Alcohol and Other Drugs?

The Process for Alcohol and Drug Detox

Detoxification, or detox, is the first step towards life-long recovery and sobriety. The purpose of drug and alcohol detox is to rid the body of toxins that result from a continuous period of substance abuse. Detox also helps the body return to homeostasis, a balanced state of chemical equilibrium.

When a person abuses drugs or alcohol for a long time, internal systems adapt to the presence of those substances. When they stop using or drinking, the body must adapt and create new states of balance.  This period of adjustment is called withdrawal.  Withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on the type of drug present in the body. The health risks of going cold turkey (without the help of a treatment center) can be uncomfortable, painful, or even life-threatening. The symptoms of alcohol addiction and withdrawal impact a patient’s physical, mental and emotional health. Detox at an accredited treatment center helps to ease the process as neurotransmitters, hormones, and other naturally produced chemicals readapt to the absence of drugs or alcohol in the body.