Detoxification is usually the first step in getting off drugs. It allows an individual to be in a supervised environment while they go through withdrawal symptoms for drugs and/or alcohol. There are different types of detoxification. Theyrange from drug-free to medically supervised. A typical mistake that many addicts make is to assume that detox is sufficient to kick their habit. This is hardly ever the case. All detox does is get somebody through the withdrawal when they stop using. It is usually recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to learn the root of why a person was using drugs in the first place.