The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which tracks substance abuse trends and statistics in the United States, reports that in 2007, 3.9 million Americans sought treatment through publicly-funded drug and alcohol treatment programs. About a million of those were treated as inpatients at various residential treatment facilities, detoxification centers, or hospitals. The report does not include the number of patients treated at facilities that receive no public funding, so the total of Americans actually needing and/or receiving treatment for drug or alcohol abuse is actually much higher.

A vital part of any drug and alcohol rehabilitation program is detoxification. Alcohol and drugs deposit toxins in the body, which can take anywhere from 18 hours to several days to clear out once the drug has been stopped. So long as the physical cravings and residue remain, there is little chance the user will not relapse. Therefore, a good detox program is essential before the patient can move on to counseling and recovery.

Detox programs vary. About 20% of patients in one Utah study required the services of a detox center before moving on to the next phase of recovery. This inpatient or residential care is often required to deal with severe debilitation or moderate to severe symptoms of withdrawal. The effects of alcohol withdrawal syndrome or the many sometimes dangerous symptoms of drug withdrawal are what keep many addicts from seeking help or managing to get through this first difficult phase of recovery alone. A drug and alcohol detox program allows a more comfortable transition from drug addiction to the beginnings of recovery.

There are several types of detox programs. Which is best for any patient should be decided after initial evaluation and consultation with a doctor. Not all patients will required inpatient detoxification services, but all require close supervision by medical professionals. Those on an outpatient detox program must also be monitored closely by responsible individuals in the home, to ensure that any drugs prescribed as part of the detoxification process are taken in accordance with medical directions. It does no one any good to substitute one addiction for another.

Likewise, inpatient detox programs allow total removal of the addict from the home or street environment during the first, crucial phase of recovery. Many are so unhealthy from prolonged use of alcohol or drugs that inpatient care is a necessity to provide proper nutrition and medical care for damage ranging from liver problems to “meth mouth.” Severe depression is often an underlying cause of addiction, or a result of withdrawal, and must be closely observed during the detox process and after to head off suicide attempts or a return to the pattern of abuse.

Few addictions are mild enough to entirely avoid symptoms of withdrawal or a need for a managed detox program of some type. It is the first step toward recovery, cleansing the body of the damaging substance and allowing the mind a chance to heal, free of physical cravings. All addicts should understand their options for this essential process.