Hospital inpatient substance abuse rehabilitation is carried out in a hospital setting and is supervised by doctors and other medical staff. Hospital inpatient treatment is often 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 monitored very carefully by medical professionals to minimize ant dangerous health complications. Hospital inpatient treatment is also delivered to individuals who desire a medication assisted withdrawal, as is the case with opiate addicted individuals who wish to use this type of detoxification approach to manage the severe withdrawal symptoms associated with heroin or other opiate withdrawal. This type of opiate detox is not considered full rehabilitation and these people will require additional counseling and therapy to completely recover from addiction.

Drug or alcohol rehabilitation services which are offered on an outpatient basis are readily available to addicted people who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to participate in an inpatient rehabilitation facility. An outpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation center delivers 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 required to stay and reside at the treatment center until the treatment process is complete. Outpatient drug or alcohol rehabilitation is also offered for those who have already gone through residential or inpatient treatment but require a comprehensive aftercare program which will offer additional support and therapy to help them remain clean and sober.

Whether it is apparent or not, seniors and older adults comprise 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 rehabilitation 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 seek rehabilitation before any long term consequences come about.

Medicaid is a type of health insurance which is made available to people in certain low-income tax brackets. Eligibility for Medicaid depends greatly on income and other circumstances including whether or not the individual has dependents and if they receive any other financial assistance. Medicaid may possibly even cover the costs associated with drug rehabilitation, and there are a lot of drug and alcohol rehab programs throughout the country which are covered through Medicaid. Most drug rehabilitation facilities which are covered through Medicaid may only provide a limited treatment curriculum and may only deliver such treatment on a short term basis, usually 30 days or less. People who have Medicaid should research which programs cover the greatest amount of treatment for the most amount of time to reap the full rewards of a Medicaid rehab program.

Drug addiction and alcoholism can effect many older Americans and seniors, and this issue continues to grow as each year passes. Seniors who are covered through the Medicare program, an insurance plan funded through the federal government for Americans in this age bracket, can use their Medicare benefits to receive treatment services for addiction at a variety of drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs around the country. Medicare covers both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs, and seniors who wish to receive treatment can consult with their primary care physician to choose a rehab program covered by Medicare which would be suitable for them.