What Does Detoxing from Addiction Mean?

Detox, short for detoxification, is defined as the process of removing toxins from the body. When related to addiction treatment and substance abuse, it is then specifically about the amount of time it takes for the body to process and metabolize a drug or alcohol. What Does Detoxing from Addiction Mean? In simple terms, it is how long it takes for the substance to leave your system. Going through detox from opiates and addiction can be a complicated process, especially if a person has been using a substance or taking part in an addictive activity for an extended period of time.

What Does Detoxing from Addiction Mean?

A formal detox program will help you:

• Be safe as the unwanted substance is removed from the body

• Manage withdrawal symptoms, which may be both mental and physical

• Helping the patient to stay on the detoxing program and supporting you to minimize the chances of relapse

(The Detox Baltimore is the best example of this).

Detox is separated into two key areas:

Medically assisted detoxification:

This refers to detox that is done with the assistance of medical professionals. This will include both doctors to assist with the physical issues, and then others to help with the psychological side of the process. 

The combination of help from both of these areas through observation and treatment will help increase the chances of the program to be successful and maximizes the comfort of the patient. In a medically supervised detox, the patient may be given additional medication to help remove some of the side effects for withdrawal for example, or other substances can be used to bring the person off their drug in a safe, controlled manner.

Clinical and social detoxification:

This is a more short-term method of helping someone with substance abuse. In some cases when a patient is detoxing, they will be put in a room and left alone until the process is finished, or until the patient doesn't need the drugs. A social detox is more hands-on, and things like peer-encouragement and consultation are provided to help with the process. The best option will largely depend on the type of addiction, be it substance or activity, and how severe the addiction is.

Self-detoxification at home:
Self-detox is reserved for those that aren't addicted to substances but want to detoxify and expel illicit toxins from their system. It's achieved through abstinence from drugs, healthy diets, plenty of exercise and use of specialized detox kits, which usually include a detailed cleanse plan.

According to medsignals.com, drug detox kits are best suitable for users that aren’t chronically addicted to certain substances. They usually consist of detox drinks and a several-day course of pills that help the user expel drug metabolites from person’s body more efficiently. Of course, they’re only effective if the user doesn’t introduce new drug toxins into their system. 


Using drug detox kits provides permanent cleansing results and works effectively against all residual drugs in the body. They also help alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal if any and speed up body's natural detoxification. But despite their effectiveness, they are not a substitute for medically assisted detoxification for individuals suffering from addictions, though they can aid the detox process.

3 STAGES OF DETOX

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, states that the process of detox is comprised of three stages:

1. Evaluation: 

This step consists of testing the amount of alcohol and drugs through urine, breath, or blood testing

• The patient’s current psychological state

• A review of the person’s medical condition, both mental and physical

• Based off of this evaluation process, the most effective form of treatment is decided on

2. Stabilization

This is the critical portion of the process. It starts by getting the person used to the detox method and then      supporting the patient to help them through the process

3. Create willingness for additional treatment

When trying to beat substance abuse or other addition, detox is just the first step and will not cure the problem. As the initial withdrawal subsides, good habits need to be built, and willpower needs to be developed to prevent relapse and to maximize the positive outcome of the treatment.