Substance abuse treatment takes place in a wide range of different 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 participate in treatment during the day but is allowed to return home daily. Other substance abuse treatment requires the individual to reside in a hospital or residential facility during the entire course of treatment, which is especially beneficial in handling 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 individual physically rehabilitated, and then concentrate on underlying psychological and emotional issues.

Drug or alcohol rehab services which are delivered on an outpatient basis are readily available to addicted people who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to take part in an inpatient rehabilitation center. An outpatient drug treatment facility offers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug or alcohol rehab program where the individual is required to remain at the rehabilitation center until the treatment process has been fully completed. Outpatient drug or alcohol treatment is also available for individuals 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.

It is an unfortunate fact that many adolescents in the United States become exposed 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 need to take every step possible to get the problem resolved before it is too late. Any suspicion that drugs or alcohol are in the picture should be addressed right away, otherwise, addiction will lead down a path of total destruction for the adolescent and for the family. There are drug treatment programs 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 dealing with this age group.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must handle both issues in order to recover completely. Some people take drugs to relieve symptoms of mental health complications, and some individuals take drugs which then, in turn, creates symptoms which are identical to mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Addiction rehabilitation professionals know how to distinguish between the two, and can work with clients to properly treat real mental health conditions 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 happy.

It is not unusual for someone with HIV/AIDS to end up in an addiction treatment facility receiving help for serious addiction issues. Often individuals who abuse drugs and alcohol are predisposed to such diseases because of certain circumstances which afflict the drug culture such as sharing dirty needles to inject drugs or participating in risky sexual behavior because of lowered sexual inhibitions caused by drug use. Persons with HIV/AIDS should have effective treatment just like any otherwise healthy addicted individual. Drug rehabilitation facilities that accept and cater to persons with HIV/AIDS offer specialized care to address any health issues that may come up in the course of treatment. This way, any physical barriers to recovery are alleviated so that they can overcome their addiction and maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

Gays and Lesbians can sometimes have unique treatment needs when receiving substance abuse rehabilitation. A specialized curriculum and treatment setting which is conducive to the needs of gays and lesbians is obtainable at certain drug and alcohol treatment programs across the nation which recognize the unique needs and challenges which gays and lesbians will experience during recovery. Gay and lesbians can achieve full rehabilitation and recovery just like any other individual in treatment, however it can be beneficial for gays and lesbians to be in a supportive setting which doesn't judge them or alienate them due to their sexual preference.

Whether it is apparent or not, seniors and older adults encompass a considerable percentage of individuals in the United States who struggle with drug and/or alcohol abuse and addiction. As the baby boomer generation ages, this will become an even bigger problem with an even bigger need for drug and alcohol rehab centers which are prepared to treat seniors and older adults who are in need of treatment for addiction problems. Seniors and older adults are faced with many physical challenges as a result of their age, which can have an impact on treatment outcome if not addressed concurrently. It is beneficial for seniors and older adults to locate treatment before any long term consequences come about.

When pregnant/postpartum women need substance abuse treatment there are a number of concerns unique to their situation that must 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 often requires programs that are both individualized and flexible in their treatment plan. While the program duration may vary depending on the woman's particular needs it is understood that the longer a person participates in treatment the better their chance of a successful recovery. Many rehab facilities for pregnant/postpartum women run six to nine months on average.

Rehabilitation from drug or alcohol addiction is a process that can be difficult and in manyways intimidating. This is why some women seeking help with addiction feel more comfortable in rehab facilities created specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol oftenhave personal issues that are considerably different than that of males. In a drug or alcohol treatment facility where all the clients are women, the recovering addict will feel more relaxed and will be able to share 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 work through in the company of other women without fear of judgment or retaliation.

Drug rehab programs created solely for men are emerging across the country. Although programs that work with both men and women are still the standard for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, many rehab facilities are creating programs designed to help a particular target group. These facilities are able to focus on what their client's particular needs are in a way that standard programs are not. Although these specialized types of rehab programs may not be necessary for all recovering addicts, many men are selecting men-only drug and alcohol treatment programs. This treatment option is best suited for those who feel more comfortable among others of the same sex when sharing private and often difficult memories from the past. Addiction recovery is a difficult process for every addict and finding comfort among one's peer group is a very good way of receiving the support needed to make the process that much more endurable.

Criminal justice clients often need substance abuse treatment 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 completed in order to be accepted into a criminal justice drug or alcohol rehab facility or recovery program. The initial step is to figure out 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. Sometimes, the criminal justice clients obtain their drug and alcohol treatment while they are incarcerated. For the best possible results, they are encouraged, if not strictly directed, to continue their recovery process once they leave jail and enroll in sober living or a therapeutic community.

Native Americans and Alaska Natives have much higher rates of substance abuse and addiction than other ethnicities, a situation which must be addressed for these cultures to survive. In fact, Native American and Alaska youth have some of the highest rates of alcohol and drug abuse in the country. Though the reasons may vary from person to person, most of the reasons for the high rates of substance abuse among Native American and Alaska natives are cultural ones. The biggest barrier to treating Native Americans and Alaska Natives for substance abuse and addiction are culture differences and language. This is why it is vital that Native Americans and Alaska Natives receive substance abuse treatment in a drug rehab program that is specifically catered to this ethnic group, but most importantly in one that can provide treatment and therapy in the Native American or Alaska Native languages.

Many drug rehab programs in the United States provide payment assistance to men and women struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and want to get help. The person in need of treatment can choose a treatment facility which ideally fits their situation, meaning the treatment curriculum and design of the program would supply them the best results. The addicted person can then seek advice from one of the treatment professionals at the drug rehabilitation center to talk about what kind of payment assistance options are available or that they qualify for. The financial department in most drug and alcohol rehab 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 person to locate an equivalent or similar rehabilitation facility which is more affordable or that can provide workable financing options so that they can acquire the rehabilitation they so desperately need.