Some detox programs in Missouri use a medication to replace the abused drug. There are also drug free alternatives used in other detox programs, short or long term inpatient, and out patient counseling. Support programs are available in the treatments centers along with resources for aftercare. There are also programs devoted to special groups such as the gay and lesbian community, groups for men, women, or children/adolescents. Family counseling can be found in some centers to improve relations between the sometimes estranged addict and their family. Education of the family has been shown to help in the addiction recovery of the recovering individual. Other services available to those in drug detox are: assistance locating housing, liaison to social services, employment placement assistance, child care, and disease testing such as for HIV/AIDS.

Heroin detox is still performed in much the same manner as it has been for years. Medication is used to replace the heroin, reducing the cravings while tapering off the replacement medication slowly. Opiate detox has changed in recent times to use rapid detox which cleanses the body of drug toxins by placing the addict under anesthesia and the body will go through immediate withdrawal as the medicines force the toxins out. The addict is not aware of the withdrawal symptoms since they are unconscious. The whole withdrawal procedure can be completed in a few hours instead of days. Alcohol detox is treated by medicines as well to assist in withdrawal. An alcoholic now has the choice to experience withdrawal pain free, though twelve step programs in combination with the alcohol detox still provides better results of success.

As with other states, financial aid is available for those who qualify. Compensation for child care, elder care, and assistance in finding such care can be provided in some cases. Missouri, along with other states have found that by assisting in the financial aid of detox programs, the financial loss to crimes and their resulting court cases, emergency room visits, and other costs associated with crime has lowered on a per dollar ratio ranging of 1:4 to 1:7. Some opponents of financial aid speak of detox as a revolving door in which addicts return again and again, but when combined with rehabilitation, the results are higher than with detox alone. Education is key in helping the addicts understand that rehabilitation must follow detox, whether it is alcohol detox, heroin detox, or opiate detox. Addiction detox is not the only step to being free from drugs on the long term. After care and twenty four hour support has helped the rate of success climb in recent years.

Drug dependence should be treated as any other chronic disease, like diabetes and asthma. It is treatable and can be managed for a lifetime with careful care. Drug use and abuse has been proven to cause changes in how the brain functions and also certain mental conditions can contribute to the dependence. Proper medical care can spell success for an addict. Using the tools learning in detox and rehabilitation will only increase the success of an individual for life.