Detoxification is typically the very 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 frequent mistake that many addicts make is to feel that detox is sufficient to kick their habit. This is rarely the case. All detox does is get somebody 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 an individual was using drugs in the first place.