Detoxification is distinct from drug addiction and alcoholism treatment
The terms detoxification and addiction treatment are quite often used interchangeably. This however, is a mistake as they are two distinctly different processes.
Detoxification is geared toward the management of significant intoxication and withdrawal from substances. It is usually a group of interventions and or medications that are aimed toward providing medical safety. The object of detoxification is to wean the patient off the mood altering substance, avoiding any serious medical complications, and providing some comfort or possible.
Often, contact with a detoxification facility or program can be a patient’s first introduction into the treatment system and addiction recovery. There is definitely a point of teachability when a person is recovering from a severe using incident.
Addiction treatment always starts with detoxification if the person presents as under the influence, or there safety is in jeopardy. Addiction treatment usually brings in a variety of services and support personnel to teach the skills necessary and lend support toward long-term recovery.
One way to think of it is that detoxification is a necessary first step, but it in itself is not treatment. Its purpose is to ensure medical safety. Addiction treatment on the other hand, is all about promoting long-term abstinence from all mood altering chemicals.
