Detox, short for detoxification, is the process of removing a specific substance from the body when someone discontinues substance abuse. It is the first step in treating substance use disorders and can be the difference between life and death. Detox can be done in two main ways: cold turkey and tapering. Cold turkey is an abrupt stop of substance use, while tapering is a gradual weaning off the drug. In many cases, prescription medicine is used to ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse. However, abrupt stop can be dangerous for some substances, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. For these substances, doctors wont give the substance to wean the patient off them, but instead, prescription drugs that act in the body like the substance.
Withdrawal from drugs or alcohol can be a painful and stressful process. As someone develops a pattern of regular substance abuse, the chemistry of their brain is altered, and once the addictive substances are no longer present, the bodys chemistry balance is thrown into confusion. These alterations can progress to a point where receptors in the brain stop functioning correctly, resulting in neurochemical reactions that happen.
It is important to note that "detoxes" and "cleanses" advertised as ways to remove toxins from the body, lose weight, or promote health are not the same as substance use detox. These programs may be unsafe and falsely advertised.
