Drug and alcohol detoxification doesn't need to become a distressing process, as it can be managed and made completely safe when the individual detoxing is within reach of detox professionals. Individuals who are detoxing may well not understand that aside from the withdrawal and other effects experienced during detoxification, their overall health might actually be at risk. Specific substances can cause seizures and other serious symptoms which may be life threatening during detoxification. Alcohol is an illustration of this this, and anyone who is detoxing from alcohol should be treated in a professional setting like a detoxification facility or drug and alcohol rehabilitation program to avoid any serious symptoms. Certain pharmaceutical drugs also result in such symptoms, and in fact it is never safe to abruptly stop using any kind of pharmaceutical drug unless in an alcohol and drug detox center or pharmaceutical. Issues can come up with other drugs as well, if one's health has been compromised as a consequence of substance abuse, as is often the case. Detox Professionals will evaluate a person's drug and alcohol use history after they arrive for drug and alcohol detox, and see if any particular intervention is necessary to be sure that drug and alcohol detoxification can be a smooth and safe process.