Alcohol and Drug Detox Centers...

Drug or alcohol detox begins when a person stops consuming a substance that the body has become dependent on. Though the recovery process from alcohol or drug addiction doesn't really begin until the detox or withdrawal period has ended, detox is the first step to recovery and should only be attempted in the safe and comfortable environment of a licensed alcohol and drug detox center.

Detox from alcohol or drug addiction can produce withdrawal symptoms that range from mild to severe. Some acute drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms can even be fatal if not treated medically. Some of theses withdrawal symptoms are the sweats, shakes, headaches, cravings, depression, insomnia, loss of appetite, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea, seizures and convulsions. Often, without medical help, the more severe withdrawal symptoms can become so unbearable that the person experiencing them will return to the substance that he or she is detoxing from rather than complete the detox.

Whenever a person is considering detoxification from an alcohol or drug addiction a complete physical check-up from a physician is always a good idea to avoid complications. If one has a history of heart, liver or kidney problems, as well as diabetes or high blood pressure, they should not detox non-medically. These conditions can cause complications or can even be fatal. Always see a doctor before beginning a detoxification from any substance.

Managing severe withdrawal symptoms through the use of medication is what takes place in a Medically-supervised detox center. Some centers have a medical staff on site, while others have enlisted the assistance of a nearby physician that either visits the detox center on a regular basis or the detox staff transports the clients to the doctors office.