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.

It is a disturbing fact that many adolescents in the United States become exposed to drugs and alcohol at a very young age, and some even become addicted and dependent to drugs and/or alcohol. For adolescents who do become addicted and dependent to alcohol and drugs, parents must be willing to do whatever it takes to help their child before it is too late. Any indication that drugs or alcohol are in the picture should be addressed immediately, otherwise, addiction will lead down a path of total destruction for the adolescent and for the family. There are drug rehab programs for adolescents available in every state, many of which cater only to adolescents and have treatment professionals on staff that are trained specifically in dealing with this age range.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must handle both issues if there is any hope for them to become fully rehabilitated. Some individuals take drugs to relieve symptoms of mental health disorders, and some people take drugs which then, in turn, creates symptoms which are identical to mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. Addiction treatment professionals know how to differentiate between the two, and can work with clients to properly treat real mental health problems in tandem with any other substance abuse treatment that is done with the individual. This has proven to be effective in keeping individuals with mental health disorders off of drugs and mentally stable and productive.

Gays and Lesbians can sometimes have unique treatment needs when receiving substance abuse rehabilitation. A specialized curriculum and treatment atmosphere which is conducive to the needs of gays and lesbians is offered at certain drug rehabilitation facilities around the country which recognize the unique needs and challenges which gays and lesbians will encounter during treatment. Gay and lesbians can achieve full rehabilitation and recovery just like any other individual in treatment, although it can be beneficial for gays and lesbians to be in a supportive atmosphere which doesn't judge them or segregate them because of their sexual preference.

Criminal justice clients often need substance abuse treatment due to 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 rehab center or recovery program. The initial step is to determine the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is accomplished by a panel of officials who determine how much and what type of drug or alcohol is necessary. Sometimes, 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 a sober living home or a long-term residential transitional living program.

Self payment drug and alcohol treatment facilities are an outstanding alternative to other types of rehab facilities i.e. private medical insurance and state funded programs. Individuals who are capable of attending 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 rehab program. In order to learn more about self payment at a specific program, make contact with a drug treatment program and ask about their payment options. It is a good idea to contact several programs so that you have a comparison of your choices with regards to treatment options and payment methods.

Medicaid is a type of health insurance which is offered to individuals in certain low-income tax brackets. Eligibility for Medicaid is dependent on income and other circumstances including whether or not the individual has dependents and if they receive any other financial assistance. Medicaid may even cover the costs associated with drug or alcohol treatment, and there are a lot of drug treatment facilities throughout the country which are covered through Medicaid. Many drug and alcohol treatment programs 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. Individuals who have Medicaid should explore which programs cover the greatest amount of treatment for the most amount of time to acquire the full rewards of such a program.

Some individuals are covered through state financed insurance because they do not meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid. Some states however offer affordable health insurance to those individuals who cannot afford private health insurance plans. State financed health insurance programs will in some cases cover the costs associated with substance abuse treatment at a variety of drug and alcohol rehab facilities around the country. State financed insurance other than Medicaid may cover both inpatient or outpatient drug rehabilitation providers. To find out which treatment programs will accept state financed insurance, consult a substance abuse treatment specialist.