The philosophy behind detoxification is very important to the process itself. Sticking to a detoxification plan can be extremely challenging. Detoxing will test a person’s perseverance, will-power, stamina and resolve, and in order to get through it, they must truly want the detox and take it seriously. In order to embrace and follow through with a detox plan, one must thoroughly recognize and accept their own personal need to take drastic measures to restore their body to an optimal state of chemical health.

Throughout human history, even in ancient times, we find examples of people fasting or limiting their diets for spiritual, religious or health reasons, and the medical profession has always recognized that the substances we ingest act as more than just sustenance, but medicines and toxins as well. In modern times, however, when we hear about “detoxing” or “cleansing”, it is a result of the natural, organic food movement that arose at the turn of the century. Modern research into cancer, heart disease and other ailments lead us to intense scrutiny of the foods we consume, and into a radical reevaluation of everything we eat. Detox plans and cleanses were created to rid our systems of the toxins that accumulate within them because of unbalanced, unnatural diets or repeated substance abuse.

For health enthusiasts, detoxing is not done so much out of necessity as it is out of a lifestyle choice. The healthiest among us may not have a pressing need to undergo a detox, but they often do just to keep their health at a pinnacle level. This kind of person usually embraces the idea of food as medicine, and of physical health as a means to happiness and wholeness. Sometimes a person has a healthy lifestyle but may still have a disease or disorder that restricts their diet, so they may be passionate about detoxing as a way of keeping their systems free of the substances they cannot process correctly.

For people who are severely addicted to a substance and frequently abuse it, detox is a matter of necessity, not lifestyle choice. This person’s detox process is usually quite different from a health enthusiast’s. A detoxing substance abuser does follow a regimented diet plan, but their detox is supplemented with medications and medical supervision. This sort of detox is created around getting a specific substance out of the body in order to terminate the body’s dependence on it. Because dependence on a substance can create severe withdrawal symptoms within a person, their detox should take place under medical surveillance with the help of medications that can ease the withdrawal symptoms. For professional help, try Ontario drug detox.

There are many different methods a person can choose in order to undergo a detox. There are do-it-yourself style detox plans, and there are ones that are supervised by a nutrionist or medical professional. Detox plans are not “one size fits all.” The detox plan that is chosen should be based on a careful assessment of the person’s circumstanes: why a detox is necessary, whether or not there is a particular substance the person is detoxing from, how heavily the substance was being ingested and what condition the person is in.

When there is an urgent need for a detox, for example, when someone is facing a medical emergency if they forego a detox, they are usually advised to check into a professional detoxification treatment center. This typically applies to situations where someone is addicted to a substance and have been abusing it regularly. Drug and alcohol addiction can spawn serious withdrawal symptoms when someone is detoxing from them, sometimes even life threatening, and doctors recommend being under 24-hour surveillance while going through this process. Detox treatment centers not only have the resources to deal with any medical emergencies a detoxing addict may have, they also supply medications that ease withdrawal symptoms and make the process much more comfortable for them.

If someone requires a detox because they occasionally abuse a substance or just have a generally unhealthy diet, it is recommended that they still seek the guidance of a physician or nutritionist. This is also recommended for someone who has dietary restrictions, food allergies or health problems that could be aggravated by a change in diet. It could be that a common detox plan is ultimately recommended to them, but with the help of a physician or a nutritionist, they can customize it around the individual’s personal diet requirements.

And lastly, if a person does not have any major health concerns and is simply looking to detox to optimize health, they will often choose a general detox plan that is made available online or for purchase. This “do-it-yourself” style of detoxification is widely accessible, however, detoxers should find their detox plans from trusted sources, as not all of them are nutritionally sound. Websites such as www.doctoroz.com and www.webmd.com offer great advice and plans for one-time detoxes. Those who detox regularly may prefer investing into detox literature such as The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet: Activate Your Body’s Natural Ability to Burn Fat and Lose Weight Fast by Mark Hyman M.D.