Drug or alcohol treatment programs 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 program delivers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug rehabilitation facility where the individual is expected to remain at the rehab program until treatment has been fully completed. Outpatient drug or alcohol rehab is also offered for those who have already gone through residential or inpatient treatment but also need a comprehensive aftercare program which will provide further support and therapy to help them remain clean and sober.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must handle both issues in order to recover completely. Some people take drugs to relieve symptoms of mental health disorders, and some individuals take drugs which then, in turn, creates symptoms which mimic mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Addiction treatment professionals know how to distinguish 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 person. This has proven to be effective in keeping people with mental health disorders 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 program in search of help for serious addiction issues. Sometimes individuals who abuse drugs and alcohol are predisposed to such diseases because of certain circumstances which afflict the drug culture such as sharing dirty needles to inject drugs or becoming involved in risky sexual behavior because of lowered sexual inhibitions caused by drug use. Persons with HIV/AIDS should have effective treatment just like any otherwise healthy addicted individual. Drug rehabilitation facilities 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 rehabilitation are resolved so that they can conquer their addiction and maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

Gays and Lesbians can sometimes have distinctive treatment needs when receiving substance abuse rehabilitation. A specialized curriculum and treatment setting which is conducive to the needs of gays and lesbians is available at certain drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs across the nation which understand the unique needs and challenges which gays and lesbians will experience during recovery. Gay and lesbians can achieve full rehabilitation and recovery just like any other person in treatment, although it can be beneficial for gays and lesbians to be in a supportive environment which doesn't judge them or segregate them because of their sexual preference.

Whether it is evident or not, seniors and older adults comprise a considerable 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 treatment programs which are prepared to treat seniors and older adults who are in need of rehabilitation for addiction problems. Seniors and older adults are faced with many physical challenges as a result of their age, which can affect treatment outcome if not addressed concurrently. It is beneficial for seniors and older adults to find rehabilitation before any long term consequences arise.

Criminal justice clients frequently need drug rehabilitation because of their problems with drug and alcohol abuse. 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 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 decide how much and what type of substance abuse [[[rehabilitation is necessary. Sometimes, the criminal justice clients obtain their drug rehabilitation 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 long-term residential transitional living program.

People can become addicted to drugs or alcohol no matter their handicap, disability or personal physical challenge. This sometimes makes people particularly more susceptible to becoming involved in drug or alcohol use, because of the various challenges that this can bring about in the individual's life. This is true for those people in the deaf and hearing impaired community as well, and treatment for substance abuse and addiction is sometimes needed. Deaf or hearing impaired individuals will need ASL or other assistance as part of their treatment needs, and there are drug treatment facilities available which cater to these needs. Professional treatment counselors who know ASL and can provide other necessary assistance to deaf or hearing impaired substance abusers.

Medicaid is a type of health insurance which is made available to individuals in certain low-income tax brackets. Eligibility for Medicaid depends greatly on income and other factors including whether or not the individual has dependents and if they receive any other assistance. Medicaid may possibly even cover the costs associated with drug or alcohol rehab, and there are many drug and alcohol rehab facilities throughout the country which are covered through Medicaid. Many drug rehab facilities which are covered through Medicaid may only deliver 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 such a program.

Drug addiction and alcoholism can effect many older Americans and seniors, and this issue is projected to only worsen in the coming years. Seniors who are covered by Medicare, an insurance plan funded through the federal government for Americans in this age bracket, can use their Medicare benefits to receive vital treatment services for drug or alcohol addiction at a wide variety of drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs around the country. Medicare covers both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, and seniors who wish to receive help can consult with their primary care physician to choose a treatment program covered by Medicare which would fit his or her particular needs.