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.

It is not unusual for someone with HIV/AIDS to end up in a substance abuse rehab program in search of help for serious 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 needles to inject drugs or becoming involved 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 facilities 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 resolved so that they can overcome their addiction once and for all.

When pregnant/postpartum women need substance abuse treatment there are a number of concerns unique to their situation that must 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 often requires programs that are both individualized and flexible in their recovery plan. While the length of stay may vary depending on the woman's particular needs it is recognized that the longer a person stays in treatment the better their chance of a successful recovery. Many rehab facilities for pregnant/postpartum women run six to nine months on average.

Rehabilitation from drug addiction is a process that can be difficult and in manyways intimidating. This is why some women seeking recovery feel more comfortable in treatment facilities designed specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol oftenhave personal issues that are considerably different than their male counter parts. In a drug treatment facility where all the clients are women, the recovering addict will feel more relaxed 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 address in the company of other women without fear of judgment or ridicule.

Drug rehabilitation facilities created specifically for men are popping up across the nation. While rehab programs that work with 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 facilities are able to focus on what their client's personal needs are in a way that standard programs are not. Although these specialized types of rehab programs are not needed for all recovering addicts, many men are selecting men-only addiction treatment centers. This rehabilitation option is best suited for those who feel more comfortable with those of the same sex when sharing private and often difficult memories from the past. Recovering from addiction is a challenging 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.

Self payment drug rehab programs are an excellent alternative to other types of rehab centers i.e. private medical insurance and state funded facilities. People who are able to attend self payment programs pay for their entire rehab 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 substance abuse rehabilitation program. In order to learn more about self payment programs, make contact with a substance abuse treatment center and inquire as to their payment options. It is beneficial to contact a number of facilities so that you have an understanding of your choices regarding rehab options and payment options.