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.

Enrolling into a residential long-term treatment facility (more than 30 days) is the best way ofresolving a severe substance abuse problem. This type of drug treatment facility is more intensive than others that only last a few weeks or those where the person in recovery is free to come and go as they please. Attending a residential long-term rehab program (more than 30 days) means that you as the client will reside at the rehab center around the clock while you are in recovery. While providing a more relaxed home-like setting the individual has access to counselors and staff at all times. Long term drug or alcohol treatment centers are an ideal choice for those who have a long history of substance abuse or who have had other unsuccessful attempts at drug or alcohol treatment in the past.

It is a disturbing fact that many adolescents in the United States become introduced to drugs and alcohol at a very young age, and some even become addicted and dependent to drugs and/or alcohol. For adolescents who do become addicted and dependent to alcohol and drugs, parents must take every step possible to help their child before it is too late. Any sign that drugs or alcohol are in the picture should be confronted immediately, otherwise, addiction will lead down a path of total destruction for the adolescent and for the family. There are drug and alcohol treatment facilities for adolescents offered in every state, many of which cater only to adolescents and have treatment professionals and counselors on hand that are trained specifically in handling this age range.

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

Criminal justice clients frequently need substance abuse rehabilitation due to problems with drug and alcohol abuse. Due to the nature of the criminal justice system, there are distinct steps and guidelines that must be adhered to in order to be admitted into a criminal justice drug treatment program or recovery program. The initial step is to establish the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is accomplished 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 drug and alcohol 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 a sober living home or a therapeutic community.

Anybody can become addicted to drugs 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 person'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 persons will require ASL or other assistance as part of their treatment needs, and there are drug rehab centers available which provide these services. Professional substance abuse counselors who know ASL and can offer other necessary assistance to deaf or hearing impaired substance abusers.