Detoxification is usually the very first step in getting off drugs. It enables a person 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 many addicts make is to feel that detox is enough to kick their habit. This is rarely the case. All detox does is get someone 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.