Alcohol and drug detoxification doesn't have to become a distressing process, as it can be managed and made entirely safe if the individual detoxing is in the hands of detoxification professionals. People who are detoxing may well not recognize that in addition to the withdrawal and other effects experienced during detoxification, their overall health may very well be at risk. Specific substances might cause seizures as well as other severe symptoms that could be life threatening during detox. Alcohol is a good example of this, and anyone who is detoxing from alcohol should be treated in a professional setting such as a detoxification facility or alcohol and drug treatment program in order to avoid any severe symptoms. Certain pharmaceutical drugs also cause such symptoms, and it is never safe to abruptly cease using any kind of pharmaceutical drug unless inside a drug and alcohol detox center or pharmaceutical. Problems can come up with other drugs also, if one's health has become compromised as a result of drug abuse, as is generally the case. Specialists will assess an individual's drug and alcohol use history once they arrive for alcohol and drug detox, and see if any specific intervention is needed to be sure that drug and alcohol detoxification can be a safe and smooth process.