Upon admission, some patients may require detoxification (detox) depending on the individual's level of addiction. This is based on the amount consumed and the length of time that alcohol and/or drugs have been present in the individual's body. This determination if detox is necessary can only be made by a medical professional and is the first step in the treatment and rehabilitation for drug and/or alcohol abuse. All detox completed at The Cottages of the Palm Beaches is medically supervised by professionals.

Over time, drinking alcohol or using drugs can cause physical dependence. When a person stops drinking alcohol or using drugs, this will result in withdrawal from whatever substance they have been abusing. If an individual attempts to detox on their own or tries a type of rapid detox without medical supervision, there is a very high risk of potentially severe consequences.

Some of the consequences from attempting non-medical supervised detox can include: seizure, nausea, hallucinations, high blood pressure, severe anxiety and death in the worst cases.

Unless a patient receives a proper medical detox under the care of a professional, they will continue to experience strong physical cravings for more of the substance they abused. The moment a person stops drinking or using any drug, the body starts the process of detoxifying itself. The detoxification process causes the cells of the body a certain amount of suffering and discomfort or what is better known as withdrawal symptoms. Certain drugs can be administered by a medical professional during detox to insure physical and mental stability during the process. Detoxification from drugs and/or alcohol can be traumatic to the human body and needs to be done only under direct medical supervision.

Never attempt to detox from alcohol or any type of drug without proper medical, professional assistance.