Substance abuse treatment is offered in a wide variety of different treatment settings with a variety of different treatment methods. For example, some substance abuse treatment can be done on an outpatient basis, where the person will typically receive treatment during the day but is allowed to return home daily. Other substance abuse treatment requires the person to stay in a hospital or residential facility during the entire course of treatment, which is particularly 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 person. Most substance abuse treatment will focus on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then concentrate on the root psychological and emotional issues.

Detoxification is usually the very first step in getting off drugs. It allows an individual to be in a supervised environment while they go through withdrawal symptoms for drugs and/or alcohol. There are various types of detoxification. Theyvary from drug-free to medically supervised. A prevalent mistake that a lot of addicts make is to feel that detox is enough to kick their habit. This is seldom the case. All detox does is get an individual 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 find out the root of why someone was using drugs in the first place.

Methadone detoxification is a process which must be overseen by substance abuse professionals within a drug rehabilitation facility who realize how challenging and difficult methadone detox can be. Methadone detox is regarded to be far more severe in terms of symptoms and duration than even heroin detox, and individuals typically revert back to methadone to alleviate 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 center which has experience in handling this type of detox, and where the individual can receive additional treatment services to deal with all addiction issues.

Drug or alcohol treatment programs which are offered on an outpatient basis are available to addicted individuals who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to take part in an inpatient rehabilitation center. An outpatient drug and alcohol treatment facility delivers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug rehab facility where the individual is required to stay and reside at the rehab center until treatment has been fully completed. Outpatient drug rehabilitation is also available for those who have already gone through residential or inpatient treatment but require a comprehensive aftercare program which will provide further support and therapy to help them avoid relapse.

When pregnant/postpartum women need substance abuse treatment there are several issues unique to their situation that should be addressed. This distinct 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 typically requires facilities that are both individualized and flexible in their treatment plan. While the length of stay 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 lasting sobriety. Many programs for pregnant/postpartum women can run long-term for six months or more.

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 designed specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol oftenhave personal issues that are much different than their male counter parts. In a drug treatment center where all the clients are women, the recovering addict will feel more at ease and will be able to share her personal conflicts that led to her drug 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 ridicule.

Drug and alcohol treatment programs created solely for men are rising up across the country. Although rehab programs that treat both men and women continue to be the standard for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, many facilities are providing programs designed to help a particular target group. These centers are able to focus on what their client's particular needs are in a way that standard facilities cannot provide. Although these specialized types of treatment programs are not needed for all recovering addicts, many men are choosing men-only drug and alcohol treatment facilities. This treatment option is excellent 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 an excellent way of receiving the support needed to make the process that much more endurable.

There increasing numbers of Spanish speaking clients walking into drug rehab centers every day needing help. Because Spanish is such a prevalent language in this country, many substance abuse rehabilitation programs are capable of providing treatment 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 treatment and therapy needed for Spanish speaking individuals.

Self payment drug and alcohol rehab facilities are an outstanding alternative to other types of rehabilitation programs i.e. private medical insurance and state funded facilities. Individuals who are capable of attending self payment programs pay for their entire treatment 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 treatment program. To learn more about self payment programs, contact a substance abuse treatment center and ask about their payment options. It is a good idea to contact a number of facilities so that you have an understanding of your choices regarding rehab options and payment options.