What does it mean when someone is on a detox?

3 Responses to “What does it mean when someone is on a detox?”

1. 
   bradhurt2003
   August 3rd, 2009 at 6:37 pm

   it means they are in a program to get them off a drug or alcohol addiction.

2. 
   Rednate
   August 3rd, 2009 at 7:35 pm

   Posted by Rednate

   Substances that are bad for you are often said to be toxic. De- anything means to undo. Detox is abbreviated detoxification. To detox is to somehow remove from your body harmful substances or toxins. Drugs and alcohol are not the only toxic substances that people intentionally remove from their bodies.

3. 
   toxdoc333
   August 5th, 2009 at 10:54 pm

   It means that the patient is dependent on alcohol (usually) or some other drug and has chosen to (or their medical condition requires) them to stop and detoxify their body. When a patient is in “detox”, they are in a hospital under medical supervision, may receive anti-seizure medication (some drug withdrawals can produce life-threatening seizures), usually are in a quiet dimly lit environment (the nervous system can be ultra sensitive to noise and light during withdrawal) and are monitored for 3-4 days (typically). Once the drug has been metabolized and is out of the system, supportive psychological treatment usually begins. This can include alcoholics anonymous (AA), or a similar self-help type therapy, group psychotherapy or other treatment to help the patient maintain their sobriety once the drug is out of their system.

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