Substance abuse treatment takes place in a wide variety of distinct treatment settings with a variety of different treatment approaches. For example, some substance abuse treatment can be done on an outpatient basis, where the individual will typically attend 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 particularly beneficial in resolving more serious 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 individual. Most substance abuse treatment will focus on getting the individual physically rehabilitated, and then focus on underlying psychological and emotional issues.

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

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

Drug or alcohol rehab services which are provided 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 treatment facility. 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 rehabilitation center where the individual is expected to remain at the treatment program until the treatment process has been fully completed. Outpatient drug rehabilitation is also available for those who have completed residential or inpatient treatment but also need a comprehensive aftercare and relapse prevention program which will offer further support and therapy to help them remain clean and sober.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must handle both issues if there is any hope for them to recover completely. Some individuals take drugs or alcohol to relieve symptoms of mental health disorders, and some people take drugs which then, in turn, causes symptoms which are identical to mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Addiction rehabilitation professionals know how to differentiate 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 individuals with mental health disorders off of drugs and alcohol and mentally stable and healthy.

It is not unusual for persons with HIV/AIDS to end up in a drug treatment program receiving help for severe addiction issues. Sometimes individuals who abuse drugs and alcohol are predisposed to such diseases because of certain circumstances which afflict the drug culture such as sharing dirty syringes to inject drugs or participating in risky sexual behavior because of lowered sexual inhibitions caused by drug use. Persons with HIV/AIDS deserve effective treatment just like any otherwise healthy addicted person. Substance abuse rehab centers 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 conquer their addiction once and for all.

Gays and Lesbians can sometimes have distinctive treatment needs when receiving substance abuse treatment. A specialized curriculum and treatment environment which is conducive to the needs of gays and lesbians is obtainable at certain drug treatment facilities across the nation which understand 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, although it can be beneficial for gays and lesbians to be in a supportive environment 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 significant 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 treatment facilities 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 rehabilitation before any long term consequences occur.

When pregnant/postpartum women need drug or alcohol rehabilitation there are numerous issues unique to their situation that must be addressed. This specific 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 recovery plan. Although the program duration may vary depending on the woman's specific needs it is recognized 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.

Rehabilitation from drug addiction is a process that can be challenging and in manyways intimidating. This is why some women seeking help with addiction feel more comfortable in rehab programs designed specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol oftenhave personal issues that are very different than their male counter parts. In a drug or alcohol rehab program where all the clients are women, the recovering addict will feel more relaxed and will be able to work through her personal conflicts that led to her substance abuse and addiction problems. Statistics show that up to seventy percent of drug abusing women report having some type of sexual or physical abuse in their past. These delicate issues are easier to work through in the company of other women without fear of judgment or retaliation.

Drug treatment programs created exclusively for men are rising up across the nation. Although programs that treat both men and women continue to be the standard for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, many rehab centers are providing programs designed to help a specific target group. These centers are able to focus on what their client's particular needs are in a way that standard programs are not. While these specialized types of rehab programs are not needed for all recovering addicts, many men are choosing men-only drug treatment centers. This rehabilitation option is excellent for those who feel more comfortable with those of the same sex when sharing private and often difficult issues from the past. Recovering from addiction is a difficult process for every addict and finding comfort among one's peer group is a good way of getting the support needed to make the process that much more endurable.

Criminal justice clients frequently need substance abuse treatment because of their problems with drug or alcohol addiction. 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 rehab facility or recovery program. The first step is to determine the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is accomplished by a panel of officials who decide how much and what type of substance abuse [[[rehabilitation is necessary. Sometimes, the criminal justice clients receive their substance abuse rehabilitation 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 a sober living home or a therapeutic community.

Self payment drug and alcohol treatment facilities are an outstanding alternative to other types of rehab programs i.e. private medical insurance and state funded programs. Individuals 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 at a specific program, contact a substance abuse treatment center and ask about their payment options. It is beneficial to contact a number of facilities so that you have a comparison of your choices with regards to treatment options and payment options.