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.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must handle both issues in order to recover completely. Some people take drugs or alcohol to relieve symptoms of mental health disorders, and some people take drugs which then, in turn, causes symptoms which mimic mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. Drug rehabilitation professionals know how to differentiate between the two, and can work with clients to appropriately treat real mental health problems in tandem with any other substance abuse treatment that is done with the person. This has proven to be effective in keeping people with mental health disorders off of drugs and alcohol and mentally stable and happy.

When pregnant/postpartum women need drug or alcohol treatment there are a number of 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 treatment plan. While the length of stay may vary depending on the woman's specific needs it is understood that the longer a person stays in treatment the better their chance of a successful recovery. 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 a lot ofways intimidating. This is why some women seeking recovery feel more comfortable in treatment programs created specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol typicallyhave personal issues that are very different than that of males. In a drug or alcohol rehab facility where all the clients are women, the recovering addict will feel more at ease and will be able to work through her personal conflicts that led to her drug 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 delicate issues are easier to work through in the company of other women without fear of judgment or ridicule.

Drug and alcohol rehab centers made exclusively for men are emerging across the country. While rehab programs that work with both men and women are still the standard for drug rehabilitation, many rehab centers are developing programs intended to help a specific target group. These facilities are able to focus on what their client's personal needs are in a way that standard programs are not. While these specialized types of rehabilitation programs are not needed for all recovering addicts, many men are deciding on men-only addiction treatment facilities. This treatment option is ideal for those who feel more comfortable with those of the same sex when discussing private and often difficult memories from the past. Recovering from addiction is a difficult process for every addict and finding comfort among one's peer group is a great way of getting the support needed to make the process that much more bearable and successful.

Criminal justice clients typically need drug or alcohol treatment because of their 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 treatment facility or recovery program. The first step is to establish the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is accomplished by a panel of officials who determine how much and what type of treatment is necessary. Often, the criminal justice clients receive 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 long-term residential transitional living program.

There are more and more Spanish speaking clients walking into drug rehab centers every day needing help. Because Spanish is such a prevalent language in this country, many drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs are prepared to deliver 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 care needed for Spanish speaking individuals.

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