Substance abuse treatment takes place in a wide variety of distinct treatment settings with a variety of different treatment approaches. For example, some substance abuse treatment can be carried out 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 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 various circumstances which can be different for each person. Most substance abuse treatment will focus 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 or alcohol treatment programs which are provided on an outpatient basis are readily available to addicted people who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to participate in an inpatient treatment facility. An outpatient drug and alcohol treatment program delivers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug or alcohol treatment facility where the person is expected to stay and reside at the rehab program until treatment is complete. Outpatient drug rehab is also available for individuals who have already gone through residential or inpatient treatment but require a comprehensive aftercare and relapse prevention program which will provide additional 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 individuals take drugs or alcohol to ease symptoms of mental health disorders, and some individuals take drugs which then, in turn, causes symptoms which mimic mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Drug treatment professionals know how to differentiate between the two, and can work with clients to properly treat real mental health disorders in tandem with any other substance abuse treatment that is done with the individual. This has proven to be effective in keeping people with mental health problems off of drugs and mentally stable and happy.

It is not uncommon for someone with HIV/AIDS to end up in a drug treatment facility receiving help for severe addiction issues. Often individuals who abuse drugs and alcohol are predisposed to such diseases because of certain circumstances which afflict the drug culture such as sharing dirty syringes 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. Drug treatment programs 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 rehabilitation are alleviated so that they can overcome their addiction and maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

Gays and Lesbians can sometimes have distinctive treatment needs when receiving substance abuse treatment. A specialized curriculum and treatment environment which is conducive to the needs of gays and lesbians is available at certain drug and alcohol treatment programs around the country which understand the unique needs and challenges which gays and lesbians will encounter during recovery. Gay and lesbians can achieve full rehabilitation and recovery just like any other individual in treatment, however it can be helpful for gays and lesbians to be in a supportive atmosphere which doesn't judge them or alienate them due to their sexual preference.

Whether it is apparent or not, seniors and older adults encompass 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 centers which are prepared to treat seniors and older adults who are in need of treatment for addiction issues. 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 treatment before any long term consequences come about.

When pregnant/postpartum women need drug or alcohol treatment there are a number of issues unique to their situation that need to 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 program duration may vary depending on the woman's particular needs it is understood that the longer a person participates in treatment the better their chance of lasting sobriety. Many rehab facilities for pregnant/postpartum women run six to nine months on average.

Recovery from drug addiction is a process that can be challenging and in manyways intimidating. This is why some women seeking recovery feel more comfortable in treatment centers designed specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol oftenhave personal issues that are considerably different than that of males. In a drug or alcohol rehab facility where all the clients are women, the recovering addict will feel more relaxed and will be able to share her personal issues 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 sensitive issues are easier to address in the company of other women without fear of judgment or retaliation.

Drug and alcohol treatment programs created exclusively for men are emerging across the country. Although rehab facilities that work with both men and women continue to be the standard for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, many facilities are creating programs intended to help a particular target group. These facilities are able to focus on what their client's particular needs are in a way that standard programs are not. Although these specialized types of treatment programs may not be needed for all recovering addicts, many men are selecting men-only addiction rehab centers. This recovery option is best suited for those who feel more comfortable among others of the same sex when discussing private and often difficult memories from the past. Addiction recovery is a challenging 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 bearable and successful.

Criminal justice clients typically need substance abuse treatment due to problems with drug or alcohol addiction. 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 substance abuse rehabilitation program 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 drug is necessary. Sometimes, the criminal justice clients obtain their substance abuse treatment while they are incarcerated. For optimum results, they are encouraged, if not strictly directed, to continue their recovery process once they leave jail and enroll in a sober living home or a therapeutic community.

People who speak other languages, other than English that is, should be able to receive substance abuse treatment which is on par with English speakers. Speakers of other languages should not feel that their treatment curriculum or treatment setting is going to be any less effective because they don't speak English. There are quite a few drug and alcohol rehab programs available which provide services to those who speak foreign languages, all of which provide a variety of programs to choose from. For example, some substance abuse rehabilitation programs which provide services for those who speak other languages are only short term programs, and others are longer term programs. Foreign language speakers should seek the advice from an addiction professional in their area to choose a drug or alcohol rehab program which would be suitable to their needs.

Self payment drug rehabilitation programs are a great alternative to other types of rehab programs i.e. private medical insurance and state funded programs. Individuals who are able to attend 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 substance abuse rehabilitation program. In order to learn more about self payment at a specific program, make contact with a drug rehabilitation center and inquire as to their payment options. It is a good idea to contact a number of programs so that you have a comparison of your choices regarding treatment options and payment options.

Paying for drug or alcohol treatment can be a problem, as all resources have been exhausted because of their addiction. Many drug rehab facilities recognize this fact which is why many drug rehab facilities across the nation provide payment options known as a sliding scale fee. There are many factors put into the equation of determining what the fee will be from person to person, and these factors are based on individual circumstances such as income, cash on hand, living circumstances, the size of one's family etc. Sliding scale fees have been in use for some time as most drug treatment facilities would rather find a way to make it work financially so that those that need addiction help can get the help they need.

Many drug and alcohol treatment programs in the United States offer payment assistance to individuals having difficulties with drug or alcohol addiction and want to get help. The person in need of treatment can choose a treatment facility which is a good fit, meaning the treatment plan and design of the program would provide them the best results. The addicted individual can then consult with one of the treatment professionals at the drug or alcohol treatment facility to go over what kind of payment assistance options are available or that they qualify for. The financial department in most drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers are more than willing to work with potential clients to get them started by offering payment assistance, and if this is unavailable, treatment professionals will typically work with the person to find an equivalent or comparable treatment program which is more affordable or that can offer workable financing options so that they can acquire the help they so desperately need.