Detoxification is normally 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 various types of detoxification. Theyrange from drug-free to medically supervised. A widespread mistake that many addicts make is to think that detox is sufficient to kick their habit. This is rarely the case. All detox does is get an individual through the withdrawal when they stop using. It is always recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to learn the root of why someone was using drugs in the first place.