Detox: Summary & Key Issues to Remember
Detoxification is a key step in the ongoing management of many substance use disorders. Some key things to remember:
- For many patients, completely and abruptly stopping their substance use may be best before entering into a long-term treatment program.
- Withdrawal is both uncomfortable, and, in the case of alcohol and sedatives, dangerous. Therefore it needs to be managed carefully.
- Detoxification can be done safely as an outpatient for some individuals with general good health and reasonable social support.