Substance abuse treatment takes place in a wide range of distinct treatment settings with a variety of different treatment approaches. For example, some substance abuse treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis, where the person will typically participate in 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 severe cases of addiction. Inpatient and residential substance abuse treatment can be done on a short term or long term basis, depending on unique circumstances which can be different for each individual. Most substance abuse treatment will concentrate on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then focus on underlying psychological and emotional issues.

Detoxification is typically the first step in getting off drugs. It permits a person to be in a supervised environment while they go through withdrawal symptoms for drugs and/or alcohol. There are various types of detoxification. Theyrange from drug-free to medically supervised. A frequent mistake that a lot of addicts make is to feel that detox is enough to kick their habit. This is almost never the case. All detox does is get someone through the withdrawal when they stop using. It is often recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to learn the root of why somebody was using drugs in the first place.

Methadone detoxification is a course of action which should be supervised by drug addiction professionals within a drug treatment center who realize how challenging and difficult methadone detox can be. Methadone detox is regarded to be far more serious in terms of symptoms and duration than even heroin detox, and individuals frequently revert back to methadone to alleviate withdrawal symptoms or, worse yet, turn to heroin or prescription opioids to relieve symptoms. This is why methadone detox must only be done under close supervision at a drug treatment facility which has practical experience in dealing with this type of detox, and where the individual can receive further treatment services to deal with all addiction issues.

Drug or alcohol treatment services which are delivered on an outpatient basis are readily available to addicted individuals who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to take part in an inpatient rehabilitation center. An outpatient substance abuse rehab facility delivers 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 expected to stay and reside at the treatment center until treatment has been fully completed. Outpatient drug rehabilitation is also offered for individuals who have completed residential or inpatient treatment but also need a thorough aftercare and relapse prevention program which will offer additional support and treatment to help them remain clean and sober.

When pregnant/postpartum women need drug treatment 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. Recovery for pregnant/postpartum women often requires programs that are both individualized and flexible in their treatment plan. Although the program duration may vary depending on the woman's particular needs it is understood that the longer a person stays in treatment the better their chance of a successful recovery. Many programs for pregnant/postpartum women run six to nine months on average.

Self payment drug treatment programs are an outstanding alternative to other types of rehab centers i.e. private medical insurance and state funded programs. People who are able to attend self payment programs pay for their entire rehabilitation 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 drug or alcohol treatment program. In order to learn more about self payment programs, make contact with a drug or alcohol treatment program and inquire as to their payment options. It is beneficial to contact several facilities so that you have an understanding of your choices regarding treatment options and payment options.