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.

Detoxification is commonly the first step in getting off drugs. It permits an individual to be in a supervised setting while they go through withdrawal symptoms for drugs and/or alcohol. There are different types of detoxification. Theyvary from drug-free to medically supervised. A frequent mistake that quite a few addicts make is to assume that detox is enough to kick their habit. This is almost never the case. All detox does is get someone through the withdrawal when they stop using. It is often recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to learn the root of why somebody was using drugs in the first place.

Methadone detoxification is a course of action which must be supervised by addiction professionals within a drug treatment center who understand how difficult and challenging methadone detox can be. Methadone detoxification is known to be far more severe in terms of symptoms and duration than even heroin detox, and individuals frequently revert back to methadone to ease withdrawal symptoms or, worse yet, turn to heroin or prescription opioids to relieve symptoms. This is why methadone detox must only be done under close supervision at a drug rehabilitation program which has practical experience in handling this type of detoxification, and where the person can receive further treatment services to deal with all addiction issues.

Drug rehabilitation services which are delivered on an outpatient basis are available to addicted individuals who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to participate in an inpatient rehab center. An outpatient drug rehabilitation center provides many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug treatment program where the person is expected to stay and reside at the rehabilitation facility until the treatment process is complete. Outpatient drug rehab is also available for individuals who have completed residential or inpatient treatment but also need a thorough aftercare program which will offer additional support and treatment to help them avoid relapse.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must address 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 depression and anxiety. Drug treatment professionals know how to distinguish between the two, and can work with clients to properly treat real mental health conditions 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 alcohol and mentally stable and healthy.

It is not unusual for persons with HIV/AIDS to end up in a substance abuse rehab center receiving help for severe addiction problems. Sometimes individuals who abuse drugs and alcohol are predisposed to such diseases due to certain circumstances which afflict the drug culture such as sharing dirty syringes to inject drugs or participating in risky sexual behavior because of lowered sexual inhibitions caused by drug use. Persons with HIV/AIDS should have effective rehabilitation just like any otherwise healthy addicted person. Substance abuse rehabilitation centers that accept and cater to persons with HIV/AIDS provide 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 and maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

When pregnant/postpartum women need drug treatment there are a number of factors 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. Recovery 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 specific needs it is recognized that the longer a person participates in treatment the better their chance of lasting sobriety. Many programs for pregnant/postpartum women can run long-term for six months or more.

Recovery from drug or alcohol addiction is a process that can be challenging and in manyways intimidating. This is why some women seeking recovery feel more comfortable in rehab centers created specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol typicallyhave personal issues that are much different than their male counter parts. In a drug rehab facility where all the clients are women, the recovering addict will feel more relaxed and will be able to work through her personal conflicts that led to her substance abuse and addiction problems. Statistics show that up to seventy percent of women with addiction problems report having some type of sexual or physical abuse in their past. These delicate issues are easier to work through in the company of other women without fear of judgment or ridicule.

Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers created exclusively for men are emerging across the country. Although rehab facilities that treat both men and women continue to be the standard for drug rehabilitation, many rehab facilities are creating programs designed to help a particular target group. These centers are able to focus on what their client's particular needs are in a way that standard facilities cannot provide. Although these specialized types of rehabilitation programs are not needed for all recovering addicts, many men are deciding on men-only addiction treatment facilities. This recovery option is best suited for those who feel more comfortable with those of the same sex when discussing private and often difficult issues from the past. Recovering from addiction is a difficult process for every addict and finding comfort among one's peer group is a good way of getting the support needed to make the process that much more bearable and successful.

Self payment drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities are a great alternative to other types of rehab facilities i.e. private medical insurance and state funded programs. People who are able to attend self payment programs pay for their entire rehabilitation 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 treatment program. In order to learn more about self payment at a specific program, make contact with a drug rehabilitation program and ask about their payment options. It is beneficial to contact several programs so that you have a comparison of your choices with regards to treatment options and payment options.

When an individual is abusing drugs or alcohol and is seeking help, there are many effective substance abuse rehab facilities accept private health insurance. Whereas some outpatient and short term programs accept private health insurance, far more beneficial drug treatment programs which provide an inpatient or residential stay for at least 90 days are also an available option. These treatment programs which accept private health insurance can differ in terms of treatment curriculum, but those clients who are covered by private health insurance are fortunate enough to have financial assistance when it comes to paying for a drug rehab facility. For additional information, consult with a treatment professional at a drug or alcohol rehab center in your area to see which services your private health insurance will cover.