Substance abuse treatment is offered in a wide variety of different treatment settings with a variety of different treatment approaches. For example, some substance abuse treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis, where the individual will typically participate in treatment during the day but is allowed to return home daily. Other substance abuse treatment requires the person to reside in a hospital or residential facility during the entire course of treatment, which is especially helpful 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 concentrate on getting the individual physically rehabilitated, and then concentrate on underlying psychological and emotional issues which will help them avoid relapse in the future.

Drug rehabilitation services which are delivered on an outpatient basis are readily available to addicted people who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to participate in an inpatient rehab center. An outpatient substance abuse treatment program provides many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug or alcohol rehabilitation program where the individual is expected to stay and reside at the rehab center until the treatment process is complete. Outpatient drug rehab is also available for those who have already gone through residential or inpatient treatment but require a comprehensive aftercare and relapse prevention program which will offer further support and therapy to help them remain clean and sober.

Residential short-term treatment for drug or alcohol addiction is a type ofrehabilitation program where the addicted individual will reside at the facility on an inpatient basis, and which usually demands a stay of 30 days or less. While attending residential short-term treatment the person undergoes an intensive but brief course of treatment that commonly incorporates a supervised detoxification, counseling, and other forms of therapy which are aimed at helping the person become rehabilitated and able to function without drugs in daily life once rehabilitation is complete. Residential short-term treatment is not always effective for all scenarios of addiction, and most will require an aftercare program or additional treatment in a more long-term residential facility.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must handle both issues in order to recover completely. Some individuals take drugs to alleviate symptoms of mental health disorders, and some people take drugs which then, in turn, causes symptoms which mimic mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Addiction rehabilitation professionals know how to differentiate between the two, and can work with clients to correctly treat real mental health conditions 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 mentally stable and productive.

Criminal justice clients frequently need substance abuse rehabilitation due to problems with drug or alcohol addiction. Due to the nature of the criminal justice system, there are specific steps and guidelines that must be adhered to in order to be accepted into a criminal justice drug or alcohol rehab facility or recovery program. The initial step is to determine the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is completed by a panel of officials who decide how much and what type of drug or alcohol is necessary. Often, the criminal justice clients receive their substance abuse treatment while they are incarcerated. For optimum results, they are encouraged, if not strictly directed, to continue their recovery once they leave jail and enroll in a sober living home or a therapeutic community.