Detoxification is typically the 1st step in getting off drugs. It enables 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 common mistake that many addicts make is to assume that detox is sufficient to kick their habit. This is almost never 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 find out the root of why somebody was using drugs in the first place.