Substance abuse treatment takes place in a wide variety of distinct treatment settings with a variety of different treatment methods. For example, some substance abuse treatment can be performed 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 person to reside in a hospital or residential facility during the entire course of treatment, which is especially beneficial in resolving more serious cases of addiction. Inpatient and residential substance abuse treatment can be done on a short term or long term basis, depending on various circumstances which can be different for each individual. Most substance abuse treatment will focus on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then focus on the root psychological and emotional issues which will help them avoid relapse in the future.

Detoxification is generally the very first step in getting off drugs. It enables an individual to be in a supervised setting while they go through withdrawal symptoms for drugs and/or alcohol. There are different types of detoxification. Theyvary from drug-free to medically supervised. A frequent mistake that many addicts make is to think that detox is sufficient to kick their habit. This is seldom the case. All detox does is get somebody through the withdrawal when they stop using. It is always recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to uncover the root of why a person was using drugs in the first place.

Methadone detoxification is a course of action which must be overseen by drug addiction professionals within a drug rehab program who realize how difficult and challenging methadone detox can be. Methadone detox is regarded to be far more severe in terms of symptoms and duration than even heroin detox, and users often revert back to methadone to ease withdrawal symptoms or, worse yet, turn to heroin or prescription opioids to relieve symptoms. This is why methadone detox must only be done under strict supervision at a drug rehabilitation facility which has practical experience in dealing with this type of detox, and where the person can receive additional treatment services to deal with all addiction issues.

Drug rehabilitation programs which are offered on an outpatient basis are available to addicted individuals who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to participate in an inpatient treatment program. An outpatient substance abuse rehab facility provides many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug or alcohol treatment facility where the person is expected to remain at the rehabilitation facility until the treatment process is complete. Outpatient drug or alcohol rehab is also offered for those who have completed residential or inpatient treatment but also need a thorough aftercare program which will offer further support and treatment to help them remain clean and sober.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must address both issues if there is any hope for them to recover completely. Some individuals take drugs or alcohol to ease symptoms of mental health complications, and some individuals take drugs which then, in turn, brings about symptoms which are identical to mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Addiction treatment professionals know how to differentiate between the two, and can work with clients to correctly treat real mental health disorders 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 disorders off of drugs and alcohol and mentally stable and productive.

When pregnant/postpartum women need substance abuse rehabilitation there are several concerns unique to their situation that need to be addressed. This particular group of addicted persons faces not only the personal shame of their addiction but also the reality of what their unhealthy choices may have caused their children. Substance abuse rehabilitation for pregnant/postpartum women typically requires programs that are both individualized and flexible in their treatment plan. Although the length of stay may vary depending on the woman's particular needs it is recognized that the longer a person participates in treatment the better their chance of lasting sobriety. Many programs for pregnant/postpartum women can run long-term for six months or more.

Rehabilitation from drug addiction is a process that can be difficult and in manyways intimidating. This is why some women seeking recovery feel more comfortable in treatment programs designed specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol oftenhave personal issues that are much different than that of males. In a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program where all the clients are women, the recovering addict will feel more at ease and will be able to work through her personal conflicts that led to her substance abuse and addiction problems. Statistics show that up to seventy percent of women with addiction problems report having some type of sexual or physical abuse in their past. These sensitive issues are easier to address in the company of other women without fear of judgment or ridicule.

Drug and alcohol treatment centers made solely for men are emerging across the country. While programs that work with both men and women continue to be the standard for drug rehabilitation, many facilities are developing programs intended to help a specific target group. These centers are able to focus on what their client's personal needs are in a way that standard programs are not. While these specialized types of treatment programs are not necessary for all recovering addicts, many men are deciding on men-only drug treatment facilities. This treatment option is ideally suited for those who feel more comfortable with those of the same sex when sharing private and often difficult issues from the past. Recovering from addiction is a challenging process for every addict and finding comfort among one's peer group is a very good way of getting the support needed to make the process that much more bearable and successful.

People can become addicted to drugs or alcohol no matter their handicap, disability or personal physical challenge. This sometimes makes people particularly more susceptible to becoming involved in substance abuse, because of the difficult challenges that this can bring about in the individual's life. This is true for individuals in the deaf and hearing impaired community as well, and treatment for substance abuse and addiction is sometimes necessary. Deaf or hearing impaired individuals will require ASL or other assistance as part of their treatment needs, and there are drug rehabilitation centers available which cater to these needs. Professional substance abuse counselors who know ASL and can provide other necessary assistance to deaf or hearing impaired substance abusers.

Self payment drug treatment programs are a great alternative to other types of treatment programs i.e. private medical insurance and state funded programs. Individuals who are capable of attending self payment programs pay for their entire treatment process out of pocket. Keep in mind though, this does not mean that they will not have access to financial assistance if needed. It just means that self payment is their primary method of covering the cost of their substance abuse rehabilitation program. To learn more about self payment programs, make contact with a drug or alcohol treatment facility and ask about their payment options. It is a good idea to contact a number of programs so that you have an understanding of your choices with regards to treatment options and payment options.

Medicaid is a type of health insurance which is accessible to people in certain low-income tax brackets. Eligibility for Medicaid depends greatly on income and other circumstances such as whether or not the person has dependents and if they receive any other financial assistance. Medicaid may even cover the costs associated with drug or alcohol rehabilitation, and there are a lot of drug and alcohol rehab programs throughout the country which are covered through Medicaid. Many drug rehabilitation facilities which are covered through Medicaid may only deliver a limited treatment curriculum and may only supply such treatment on a short term basis, typically 30 days or less. Individuals who have Medicaid should look for which programs cover the greatest amount of treatment for the most amount of time to reap the full rewards of a Medicaid rehab program.

Paying for drug or alcohol rehab can be a problem, as all resources have been exhausted due to their addiction. Many drug treatment facilities recognize this fact which is why many drug rehabilitation programs around the country offer payment options known as a sliding scale fee. There are several variables put into the equation of determining what the fee will be from person to person, and these factors are based on individual circumstances such as income, cash on hand, living circumstances, the size of one's family etc. Sliding scale fees have been in use for some time as most drug and alcohol treatment facilities would prefer to find a way to make it work financially so that those that need addiction help can receive the help they need.