Substance abuse treatment is offered in a wide range of different treatment settings with a variety of different treatment approaches. For example, some substance abuse treatment can be carried out on an outpatient basis, where the person will typically attend treatment during the day but is allowed to return home daily. Other substance abuse treatment requires the individual to stay in a hospital or residential facility during the entire course of treatment, which is particularly beneficial in resolving more severe cases of addiction. Inpatient and residential substance abuse treatment can be done on a short term or long term basis, depending on different circumstances which can be different for each person. Most substance abuse treatment will concentrate on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then focus on the root psychological and emotional issues.

Drug treatment services which are provided on an outpatient basis are readily available to addicted people who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to participate in an inpatient treatment program. An outpatient substance abuse rehabilitation facility provides many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug treatment program where the individual is required to stay and reside at the rehab program until the treatment process is complete. Outpatient drug rehab is also available for those who have completed residential or inpatient treatment but also need a comprehensive aftercare and relapse prevention program which will provide further support and therapy to help them avoid relapse.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must handle both issues in order to recover completely. Some individuals take drugs to relieve symptoms of mental health disorders, and some individuals take drugs which then, in turn, brings about symptoms which are identical to mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Drug treatment professionals know how to differentiate between the two, and can work with clients to correctly treat real mental health problems in tandem with any other substance abuse treatment that is done with the individual. This has proven to be effective in keeping people with mental health issues off of drugs and mentally stable and productive.

Many substance abuse treatment facilities in the United States provide payment assistance to people having difficulties with drug or alcohol addiction and want to get help. The person in need of treatment can choose a treatment program which ideally fits their situation, meaning the treatment plan and design of the program will offer them the best results. The addicted person can then seek advice from one of the treatment professionals at the drug or alcohol treatment facility to discuss what kind of payment assistance options are available or that they qualify for. The financial department in most drug and alcohol treatment facilities are more than willing to work with potential clients to get them started by offering payment assistance, and if this is unavailable, treatment professionals will often work with the individual to find an equivalent or comparable rehab facility which is more affordable or that can offer workable financing options so that they can receive the rehabilitation they so desperately need.