Detoxification is generally the first step in getting off drugs. It makes it possible for 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 common mistake that a lot of addicts make is to believe that detox is sufficient to kick their habit. This is seldom the case. All detox does is get a person through the withdrawal when they stop using. It is often recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to uncover the root of why someone was using drugs in the first place.