Drug and alcohol detoxification doesn't need to be an uncomfortable process, as it can be made more manageable and made entirely safe in the event the individual detoxing is in the hands of detoxification professionals. Those who are detoxing may well not know that aside from the withdrawal and other effects experienced during detox, their overall health may be at an increased risk. Specific substances can cause seizures and other severe symptoms that could be deadly during detoxification. Alcohol is a good example of this, and anybody who is detoxing from alcohol needs to be treated within a professional setting like a detox facility or drug and alcohol rehab program to avoid any severe symptoms. Certain medical drugs also cause such symptoms, and it is never safe to abruptly stop using almost any pharmaceutical drug unless inside a drug and alcohol detoxification center or medical. Issues can arise with other drugs also, if someone's health has been compromised as a consequence of substance abuse, as is often the case. Specialists will assess an individual's drug and alcohol use history after they arrive for alcohol and drug detox, and figure out if any particular intervention is necessary to make certain that drug and alcohol detoxification can be a smooth and safe process.