Most drug–free treatment facilities start with detoxification and medically managed withdrawal. Detoxification is designed to manage the acute and potentially deadly physiological effects of stopping drug use. Detoxification alone, however, does not address the psychological, social, and behavioral problems associated with addiction and does not typically produce the lasting behavioral changes necessary for recovery. Because it is often accompanied by unpleasant and potentially fatal side effects stemming from withdrawal, detoxification is often managed with medications administered by a physician in an inpatient or outpatient setting. 

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Detox is only used for the following drugs that have a physical addiction and harmful physical detox characteristics:

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• Alcohol

• Benzodiazapines

• Opioids

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