Hospital inpatient substance abuse rehabilitation is done in a hospital or similar setting and is supervised by doctors and other medical staff. Hospital inpatient treatment is sometimes necessary in the beginning stages of abstinence when the client may encounter the onset of life threatening withdrawal symptoms, which is sometimes true when quitting alcohol as well as a category of prescription drugs known as benzodiazepines which should be supervised very carefully by medical professionals to minimize ant dangerous health complications. Hospital inpatient treatment is also administered to those who choose to undergo medication assisted withdrawal, as is the case with opiate addicted individuals who wish to use this type of detoxification approach to avoid the severe withdrawal symptoms associated with heroin or other opiate withdrawal. This type of opiate detoxification is not treatment in itself however, and these people will require additional counseling and therapy to completely recover from addiction.

Drug rehabilitation services which are provided on an outpatient basis are readily available to addicted individuals who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to participate in an inpatient treatment center. An outpatient drug rehabilitation program delivers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug treatment facility where the person is required to stay and reside at the rehabilitation facility until treatment has been fully completed. Outpatient drug rehabilitation is also available for individuals who have completed residential or inpatient treatment but also need a comprehensive aftercare program which will offer further support and treatment to help them remain clean and sober.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must address both issues if there is any hope for them to recover completely. Some individuals take drugs or alcohol to alleviate symptoms of mental health problems, and some individuals take drugs which then, in turn, creates symptoms which are identical to mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Addiction 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 individual. This has proven to be effective in keeping individuals with mental health problems off of drugs and alcohol and mentally stable and happy.

People can become addicted to drugs no matter their handicap, disability or personal physical challenge. This sometimes makes people particularly more vulnerable to becoming involved in substance abuse, because of the varying challenges that this can bring about in the person's life. This is true for those people in the deaf and hearing impaired community as well, and treatment for substance abuse and addiction is sometimes needed. Deaf or hearing impaired persons will require ASL or other assistance as part of their treatment needs, and there are drug and alcohol treatment facilities available which cater to these needs. Professional substance abuse counselors who know ASL and can offer other necessary assistance to deaf or hearing impaired substance abusers.

There increasing numbers of Spanish speaking clients enrolling into substance abuse treatment programs every day needing help. Because Spanish is such a common language in this country, many drug and alcohol treatment programs are prepared to deliver services to Spanish speaking clients. Additionally, many treatment professionals make it a point to learn the language so as to be able to provide the support and care needed for Spanish speaking individuals.