Before the treatment process can begin, the individual’s body must be free from all addictive or mind-altering substances. For some people this process is not very difficult, but for others it can be so painful and uncomfortable that they feel as though they must again use drugs to ease the pain. Undergoing a medical detox is a good way to deal with the discomfort of withdrawal. People who resort to a professional detox usually do not have to try to stop using over and over alone. Instead the detox process is administered by a licensed medical specialist and provides supervision 24 hours a day. The detox process may involve procedures that help to ensure that the body has been released of all toxins. In addition, the detox can offer mental and emotional clarity that can only be achieved through complete sobriety. Many times people find the detox process challenging because it is so uncomfortable, however most who have endured would consider it a vital step in recovery. After the detox has been completed, the individual has ended one chapter and is ready to begin a new, healthy one.