Addiction to a substance is a difficult matter to cope with, for the person who is using and for those who care about them, but millions have recovered from substance abuse with proper treatment. Before rehabilitation and counseling can begin, the first step to ending a substance abuse problem is detoxification. This can be done through one of several methods, but should always be the first priority in substance abuse treatment.

When a person knows they require substance abuse treatment, the first step they should take is to work with their primary physician and their addiction treatment center of choice in order to determine what kind of detoxification they require. In less severe substance abuse cases, a person can often detox themselves without medical supervision. But in more severe substance abuse cases, a person will require a medically supervised detoxification for their own safety.

When a person’s substance abuse is severe, they will be required to enter into a detoxification treatment facility prior to substance abuse counseling and treatment. The reason physicians prescribe this method is that the withdrawal symptoms of prolonged substance abuse can actually be a danger to the person in question. Withdrawing from substances such as alcohol or opiates can create symptoms such as severe nausea and vomitting, and in rare instances, even seizures. It is not safe for someone who has become this dependent on a substance to detox alone, which is why detox centers, with 24-hour medical staffing and symptom relief medication are available.

Many Canadians have high levels of toxicity in their systems and could benefit greatly from professional detoxification services. Still, a majority of Canadians who are in need of a detox will not connect with treatment resources simply because they will not take the first step in learning about them. Do not be one of these individuals. If you are a Canadian struggling with substance abuse issues, reach out to the services of a British Columbia rehab facility, an Ontario substance abuse treatment program or an Alberta drug rehab and detox center.

Detoxification is the process of ridding the body of toxins through various methods. There is more than one way of detoxing, however, the most important part of any detox is following a strict, regimented diet plan in order to achieve an optimal healthier body chemistry. Exercise and physical activity is often associated with a detox, but not in every case. The length a detox goes on is also chosen carefully based on scientific nutritional information.

There is a large amount of information on the internet about detoxification, but sources of information on detoxification should be chosen carefully, as not all of them are based on sound nutrition sciences. Someone interested in undergoing a detox would be well advised to talk to their physician first as the process can negatively affect a person’s health when not done correctly. Depending on how urgent a detox is, a person may be advised to check into a detoxification treatment center, have a medically supervised detox, follow a professional nutritionist’s detox or simply follow a popular, publicly available detox plan.

The reasons someone may want or need a detox are complex, and the necessity of a detox can range in urgency. Perhaps they have been made aware that certain things they have been ingesting are not optimal for bodily health and they want to cleanse their system of its effects. Or, it could be that they have a severe dependency on a substance, such as drugs or alcohol, and a detox from substance abuse is necessary to save their lives. Both are important, but are inspired by very different circumstances. Because of the health ramifications of detoxing, it is important to select a detox process that is medically informed.

Detoxing is initiated for a variety of reasons, and can follow one of many plans, but the underlying reason for any detox is to restore the body to its optimal health. Because what we ingest influences our body chemistry so heavily, it can be necessary at times to logistically reevaluate, monitor and control what we ingest in order to influence our body chemistry in a positive way. Detoxification improves a person’s energy, morale and spirituality also, as it allows the body and the mind to function better on the whole.