Substance abuse treatment is offered in a wide range of different treatment settings with a variety of different treatment methods. 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 particularly helpful in resolving more serious cases of addiction. Inpatient and residential substance abuse treatment can be done on a short term or long term basis, depending on different circumstances which can be different for each individual. Most substance abuse treatment will focus on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then concentrate on the root psychological and emotional issues which will help them avoid relapse in the future.

Detoxification is generally the first step in getting off drugs. It allows a person to be in a supervised setting while they go through withdrawal symptoms for drugs and/or alcohol. There are various types of detoxification. Theyvary from drug-free to medically supervised. A frequent mistake that quite a few addicts make is to believe that detox is sufficient to kick their habit. This is seldom the case. All detox does is get an individual through the withdrawal when they stop using. It is usually recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to discover the root of why an individual was using drugs in the first place.

Residential short-term treatment for substance abuse is a variety ofrehabilitation program where the addicted individual will stay at the facility on an inpatient basis, and which typically 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 typically 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 everyday life once treatment is complete. Residential short-term treatment is not always effective for all scenarios of addiction, and most will require an aftercare program or further treatment in a more long-term residential setting.

Attending a residential long-term treatment program (more than 30 days) is the best way ofapproaching a serious drug or alcohol addiction problem. This type of drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility is more comprehensive than others that only last a few weeks or those where the client is free to come and go as they please. Choosing a residential long-term rehabilitation program (more than 30 days) means that you as the client will reside at the rehab center around the clock while you are in recovery. While offering a more relaxed home-like setting the person has access to counselors and staff at all times. Long term drug or alcohol treatment facilities are a perfect choice for those who have a long history of addiction or who have had other unsuccessful attempts at recovery in the past.