Drug detox and alcohol detoxification is often a process that someone who has been addicted and dependent to alcohol and drugs must go through once they stop using these substances abruptly. Those who abuse alcohol and drugs can't stop or don't wish to stop using these substances because they know they'll have to detox, which may be extremely uncomfortable and also painful now and again. Thankfully, treatment professionals in drug and alcohol treatment programs are trained and experienced in the drug detox and alcohol detoxification process and ways to make this course of action as smooth and safe as possible. You can avert certain withdrawal symptoms, make sure they are more manageable, or otherwise make them tolerable while they last which is typically only a matter of days. Individuals who proceed through drug detox or alcohol detoxification should not stop at this point, and leaving treatment after only completing this task makes all progress to this point mute. This is because people who only detox and don't receive any further rehab do just as well as someone who never received any rehabilitation in the first place. Detox isn't rehab, so individuals who undergo drug detox and alcohol detoxification must invest in a thorough treatment plan addresses every aspect of their drug or alcohol addiction.