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 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 helpful 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 various circumstances which can be different for each person. Most substance abuse treatment will concentrate on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then focus on underlying psychological and emotional issues.

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

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must address both issues in order to become fully rehabilitated. Some people take drugs or alcohol to relieve symptoms of mental health problems, and some people take drugs which then, in turn, creates symptoms which are identical to mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Addiction treatment professionals know how to distinguish 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 person. This has proven to be effective in keeping individuals with mental health issues off of drugs and mentally stable and healthy.

Criminal justice clients often need drug or alcohol rehabilitation because of their problems with drug and alcohol abuse. Due to the nature of the criminal justice system, there are distinct steps and guidelines that must be completed in order to be admitted into a criminal justice drug treatment facility or recovery program. The initial step is to establish the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is completed by a panel of officials who determine how much and what type of drug or alcohol is necessary. Often, the criminal justice clients obtain their substance abuse treatment while they are incarcerated. For optimum results, they are encouraged, if not strictly directed, to continue their recovery once they leave jail and enroll in sober living or a long-term residential transitional living program.

Many substance abuse rehabilitation centers in the United States provide payment assistance to men and women suffering with drug or alcohol addiction and want to get help. The individual in need of rehabilitation can choose a treatment program which ideally fits their situation, meaning the treatment plan and design of the program would supply them the best results. The addicted person can then consult with one of the treatment professionals at the drug rehabilitation center to discuss what kind of payment assistance options are available or that they qualify for. The financial department in most drug 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 typically work with the person to find an equivalent or comparable rehab program which is more affordable or that can provide workable financing options so that they can acquire the help they so desperately need.