Substance use and addiction are very common conditions that can be treated with professional help and ongoing care. Generally, worldwide, it is accepted that the first step in treating addiction in an individual is acknowledging that they have such a dependency on psychoactive substances.

Regardless of whether the person has a disorder related to the use of drugs, alcohol, or other psychoactive substances, diagnosing and accepting their illness is crucial. Diagnosis often requires a team of experts, including a psychiatrist, psychologist, and/or a licensed counselor. While blood, urine, and other tests are not diagnostic, they are used to assess substance use and are often employed during the treatment process for monitoring and recovery.

Addiction treatment is typically a lifelong process with various stages. Most patients go through a period of detoxification and rehabilitation in a clinic or hospital. Detoxification is the first step in addiction treatment, with the goal of cleansing the body of the substance and limiting withdrawal symptoms with specialized treatment and medication.

When it comes to detoxification, doctors and specialists decide whether the patient is in a hospital, admitted to a hospital or treatment center, or receiving outpatient treatment. Different substances have different effects on withdrawal, and they require careful monitoring.