What is the process formerly known as detoxification called?

The process formerly known as detoxification is now referred to as medically supervised withdrawal. This terminology emphasizes the importance of having healthcare professionals supervise the process, ensuring not only the safety and comfort of the individual as they experience withdrawal symptoms but also providing medical assistance as needed. This shift towards medically supervised withdrawal reflects an understanding of substance use disorders that prioritizes a clinical approach aimed at reducing risks and improving patient outcomes.

In this context, while medication-assisted treatment refers to the use of medications to help individuals reduce or quit their substance use, it is not synonymous with the detoxification process. Recovery planning involves creating comprehensive strategies for ongoing recovery after withdrawal, and continuous care management focuses on long-term support and resources for patients. These processes are part of a broader recovery framework but do not specifically describe the initial phase of managing withdrawal from substances, which is precisely what medically supervised withdrawal addresses.