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.

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

Drug 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 participate in an inpatient rehab facility. An outpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation program offers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug rehab program where the individual is expected to remain at the treatment program until the treatment process has been fully completed. Outpatient drug rehab is also available for individuals who have already gone through residential or inpatient treatment but require a thorough aftercare program which will offer additional support and therapy to help them avoid relapse.

Residential short-term treatment for substance abuse is a variety ofrehabilitation program where the addicted individual will remain at the facility on an inpatient basis, and which usually requires a stay of 30 days or less. While in residential short-term treatment the client undergoes an intensive but brief course of treatment that commonly incorporates a supervised detoxification, counseling, and other forms of therapy which are aimed at helping the individual to recover and be able to function without drugs in daily life once rehab is complete. Residential short-term treatment is not always effective for all cases of addiction, and most will require an aftercare program or further treatment in a more long-term residential facility.

Attending a residential long-term treatment program (more than 30 days) is the best way ofapproaching a serious drug or alcohol addiction problem. This type of substance abuse treatment facility is more intensive than others that only last a few weeks or those where the client is free to come and go as they please. Attending a residential long-term rehabilitation program (more than 30 days) means that you as the client will live at the rehabilitation center around the clock while you are in recovery. While offering a more relaxed home-like setting the client has access to treatment professionals at all times. Long term drug or alcohol treatment programs are a perfect choice for those who have a long history of addiction or who have had other unsuccessful attempts at recovery in the past.