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Abstract: 

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease, and medically managed withdrawal (“detox”) addresses only the acute phase of recovery, not the underlying neurobiological, psychological, and social drivers of substance use. This article explains that detox without follow-up care is associated with high relapse rates, while sustained treatment—including medication-assisted therapy and behavioral interventions—significantly improves outcomes. Because addiction disrupts brain systems governing reward, stress, and self-control, recovery requires long-term management. Effective care therefore depends on continuity of treatment, relapse prevention strategies, and support systems beyond the initial detoxification stage.

Keywords: Addiction Treatment; Detoxification; Relapse Prevention; Medication-Assisted Therapy; Substance Use Disorder

Affiliations:  1: Oregon Health & Science University.