The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Detoxification is the term commonly used to describe the process or set of procedures involved in readjusting a drug-or alcohol-dependent person to a lower or absent tissue level of the substance (drug) of dependence. With chronic (long-term) use of many drugs, there is adaptation within the nervous system. Readaptation of the nervous system to the absence of a particular substance can cause a WITHDRAWAL syndrome (as a manifestation of PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE). The patient would reasonably be expected to have symptoms (what they tell the health-care provider) and exhibit signs (what the observer sees) of a withdrawal syndrome.
The detoxification process usually occurs in a supportive environment, which might be a hospital or clinic, but not always; it might also involve the use of medications (other drugs) in order to control or suppress symptoms and signs of withdrawal, but not always. The level of care and the use of medications depends on the substance of abuse and the level of physical dependence (severity of withdrawal syndrome), complications, or potential for complications. The more severe complications are seen most frequently in association with alcohol or sedative-hypnotic withdrawal. The goal of detoxification is to provide a safe and comfortable transition to a drug-free state. Detoxification is generally the first step in the process of treatment for rehabilitation.